La Pesse combines marked trails, Resistance history, a discovery trail and regional products. When planning your visit, it is worth considering the different highlights: a summit hike with specific route details, a historic site with information panels, and museum experiences that require advance contact.

Hiking among forests, pastures and Jura peaks

The Tour de Malatrait circular trail winds through the forests and pastures of the Hautes-Combes. Scattered farms and rolling landscapes define the route. The Crêt de Chalam offers a different highlight: its summit is 1,545 metres high and provides 360-degree views across the Jura range and the Alps.

The marked out-and-back route from La Pesse to the Crêt de Chalam takes about two hours, is five kilometres long and has an elevation gain of 259 metres. It is marked with GRP signs at first, followed by yellow markings. Its duration, distance and elevation gain make it easy to fit this hike into your stay. The Grande Traversée du Jura (GTJ) also passes through the municipality of La Pesse.

Resistance history and a riddle trail

At La Borne au Lion stands a boundary stone bearing three coats of arms, erected in 1613. The site is also an important place in the history of the Resistance; information panels explain its history and significance. La Borne au Lion can be reached via the forest road of the same name, which begins opposite the church and is four kilometres from La Pesse. From the last car park, it is another 150 metres to the site.

Another way to learn about aspects of La Pesse’s history is the interactive discovery trail “Jur’Aventures: Le Secret de La Pesse.” It leads through the village and its surroundings with riddles and hidden letters; augmented reality is also part of the experience. The two options offer different approaches: information panels explain the history and significance of La Borne au Lion, while the riddle trail explores the village and its surroundings.

Lake and regional products

Lac de l’Embouteilleux is an artificial mountain lake and water reservoir that supplies the municipality of La Pesse with drinking water. The lake is protected; swimming and fishing are not permitted. Keep this restriction in mind when planning activities by the water.

At the Musée rural de l’ancienne Fruitière de La Pesse, museum visits and tastings of regional products can be arranged with advance contact. Different minimum group sizes apply: at least ten people for visits and 15 for tastings. So if you are planning a visit or tasting, contact the museum in advance and consider which offering is the priority for your group.

Plan your journey

Bellegarde-sur-Valserine TGV station is about a 40-minute drive from La Pesse. If you choose this option for your journey, check the connection and travel time for your travel date. Along with the walking and visiting options in the area, this information provides a practical basis for coordinating your journey with the highlights you want to include in your stay.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Germain-Lès-Arlay, Hautecour, Montbarrey, Fay-En-Montagne, Saint-Amour, Chaussin, Écleux, Champrougier

For the broader travel overview: Jura.