Eleven information panels along the Sentier des Bornes explore the history of the border between France and Switzerland. Together with archaeological traces, a cheese dairy with a visitor gallery and winter trails, they offer a variety of themes for a stay. The village is considered a long ribbon development at an altitude of 1,100 metres.
Border and Settlement History
The Sentier des Bornes is an educational trail whose panels explore the history of the French-Swiss border. Other topics include economic and settlement history: iron ore mining, the transition from agriculture to the manufacture of music boxes, and medieval villages that were abandoned when residents fled from Les Fourgs in France to L'Auberson in Switzerland during a war. The trail is mostly flat and considered suitable for everyone; weather and trail conditions can affect its suitability.
The Balade archéologique de L'Auberson focuses on a different aspect of history. It traces the land clearing associated with human settlement in the surrounding area since prehistoric times. The surviving traces also include the entrance to a gallery in an iron ore mine shaft, which visitors can observe. Access to individual traces may vary. Thus, one themed trail focuses on border and economic history, while the other focuses on earlier settlement and archaeological evidence.
Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing
The L'Auberson cross-country ski area has a total of 25 km of trails for classic and skate skiing. The Centre nordique L'Auberson et Mont des Cerfs in the Jura offers cross-country skiing and snowshoeing through a landscape of forests, sunny plateaus, pastures and a nature reserve. Another specific option is the signposted 8.8 km snowshoe loop. It runs between Col des Etroits, Vers-le-Bois, L'Auberson, Le Carre, La Vraconnaz and Noirvaux-dessus. These figures describe different scales for planning: 25 km for the cross-country ski area and 8.8 km for the snowshoe loop. Snow conditions determine whether the snowshoe route is usable; trail grooming is dependent on the season and weather.
Natural ice and cheese culture
The natural ice rink at Bas-de-la-Combe lies in a hollow in the Jura massif and is one of the few natural ice rinks in French-speaking Switzerland. In suitable weather conditions, it offers an opportunity to skate; as a seasonal natural ice rink, it is weather-dependent. If you are considering a visit, check the conditions in advance.
The Tyrode cheese dairy has a visitor gallery and an educational guided tour covering the history, production and secrets of cheese making. The tour also gives visitors insights into the region, its history and traditions. Check current visiting options before your arrival. The cheese theme complements the historic trails with a look at local production, without presupposing any particular itinerary for your stay.
More cultural and winter destinations
In nearby Sainte-Croix, MuMAPS presents the Baud brothers' collection of clocks, singing bird boxes, dolls and animated pictures. It also features a 1900 fairground organ with a mechanical orchestra. These mechanical objects offer a different cultural perspective from the Sentier des Bornes, which explores the transition to music box manufacturing.
From L'Auberson, you can also reach the Centre nordique des Fourgs in neighbouring France and the Centre nordique de la Côte-aux-Fées in Val de Travers, in the canton of Neuchâtel. Check seasonal route conditions before planning a visit to either destination.
Discover more destinations: Yverdon-Les-Bains, Sainte-Croix, L'abbaye, Villars-Burquin, Giez Vd, Bonvillars, Baulmes, Vaulion.
For the overview of the wider area: Northern Jura, Vaud.
