What to see in France

Baume-les-Messieurs, a campsite where you can admire a marvel of Jura heritage

Vue sur le village de Baume-les-Messieurs
Vue sur le village de Baume-les-Messieurs

 

Located in the historic and cultural region of Franche-Comté in the Jura, the village of Baume-les-Messieurs nestles at the bottom of a cirque surrounded by limestone cliffs, the illustrious "reculées" of the Jura. It is undoubtedly this environment, along with its prodigious built heritage, including its 6th-century Benedictine abbey, that has earned it a place among the Most Beautiful Villages in France. Several campsites will welcome you to explore the town's riches, acquired over time, in the best possible conditions.

Where can I find the best-positioned campsites near Baume-les-Messieurs?

There is a campsite in the commune of Baume les Messieurs, which is fortunate for a village that has been designated one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France, as campsites are rare in villages because of their size. Here, even if it's a small campsite, it has the merit of existing with nearby shops or necessities on site, or even the passing of the grocer. Fortunately, there are plenty of campsites in the area around Baume les Messieurs.

La Toupe municipal campsite

La Toupe municipal campsite * Open from April to the end of September and has 52 pitches. Situated on the banks of the river La Seille, you can enjoy a swim on site and there is also fishing for enthusiasts. There is a play area for children and pets are allowed. Perfect for visiting the caves. All information is available at the reception chalet.

Campsites with swimming pool near Baume-les-Messieurs

Domaine de l'Espiguette in the Jura (39)

Camping Domaine de l'Epinette **** in Châtillon is just 16 km from the village of Baume-les-Messieurs. It offers a comfortable stay in the heart of nature. Open from May to September, the campsite has chalets and mobile homes ranging from comfort to Premium Comfort, with private sanitary facilities. The campsite has a water park with 2 heated outdoor pools and 3 water slides. There's something for everyone when it comes to sport, with table tennis, football and archery for those who want to keep the Olympics going. A children's club and play area are also available for a great camping holiday. It is also the starting point for several hiking trails.

Camping Domaine de l'Epinette à Chatillon (39)
Camping Domaine de l'Epinette à Chatillon (39)© @Domaine de l'Epinette

Camping Le Moulin to visit Baume-les-Messieurs

Camping Le Moulin **** in Patornay Open from May to September, this campsite is 21 km from the listed village of Baume-les-Messieurs. It has a water park with 3 heated pools, one outdoor and one indoor, and a paddling pool for the little ones. There is also a hammam, jacuzzi and sauna. Children will love the children's club. Pétanque, table tennis, basketball, football, handball, volleyball and beach volleyball are the sports on offer, as well as entertainment. In the evening, the whole family can enjoy a show or dance organised by the campsite.

Camping Sous Doriat and its accommodation

Camping Sous Doriat *** in Monnet-la-Ville is 18 km from the village voted one of France's most beautiful villages. Open from May to September, the campsite has a lovely heated outdoor swimming pool and around a hundred pitches, including 40 for rental (mobile homes and chalets are available for added comfort). A children's play area, table tennis, volleyball and beach volleyball are available on site, as well as entertainment and evening shows organised by the campsite's entertainment team.

 

Les Pêcheurs *** campsite in Pont-de-Poitte: Bordered by the River Ain, this campsite is 21 km from Baume-les-Messieurs. This campsite is surrounded by exceptional natural sites such as the Voulant lake 500 m away and the Ain river on the spot. It has 156 pitches and 68 rentals (mobile homes, chalets, etc.) and a water park with heated, indoor and outdoor pools, as well as a paddling pool for children.

 

In Marigny, La Pergola campsite ***** is open from late April to mid-September and is 21 km from Baume-les-Messieurs. Situated on the shores of Lake Chalain, you can enjoy swimming, sunbathing and canoeing. The campsite also has a water park with heated pools, slides and a paddling pool. You can hire bikes and take advantage of a horse-riding tour organised on site. Entertainment, children's club, dance evenings and shows will make your holiday unforgettable. Hiking trails are available close to the campsite. Don't forget to book!

What are the must-see sites in Baume-les-Messieurs?

Baume-les-Messieurs Abbey

A Cluniac site built in the 6th century by Abbot Bernon, the Imperial Abbey, also known as Saint-Pierre Abbey, a former Benedictine abbey, is a must-see site in Baume-les-Messieurs. The abbey's glory days were between the 16th and 17th centuries, and it can look back on 1,000 years of development that can be seen in the Carolingian stained-glass windows, the abbey courtyard, the cloister and, of course, the 11th-century Romanesque church. The superb vaulted hall of the 13th-century abbey dwelling is not to be missed, nor is the abbey courtyard with its magnificent 16th-century facades. Inside the church, you can admire 17th-century paintings, sumptuous statues from various countries and a remarkable 16th-century Flemish altarpiece.

View of Saint-Pierre Abbey
View of Saint-Pierre Abbey© iStock

 

As well as the abbey, take a stroll through the narrow streets of Baume-les-Messieurs to admire its other listed monuments, including bridges such as the one over the Seille, which dates to the 13th century, farms and superb 15th- and 16th-century residences. Don't miss the Saint-Jean-Baptiste church, listed as a Historic Monument, or the Champ de Bri and Toupe oratories. As you stroll through the village, you'll come across several crosses, including the 16th-century Pré Saint-Jean and Pois crosses and the 15th-century La Peyrouse cross, all of which are listed or have been listed as Historic Monuments. The charming Notre Dame chapel is also worth a visit.

One of the many bridges in the village
One of the many bridges in the village © iStock

Admire the landscape of the Reculée

In terms of natural landscapes, Baume-les-Messieurs is also a real treasure, with its extraordinary Reculée and its majestic, soothing limestone cliffs, a veritable protective setting that can be admired from the grandiose cirque classified Natura 2000.

The limestone cliffs of the reculée, like a jewel case around the village
The limestone cliffs of the reculée, like a jewel case around the village© iStock

The Baume cave

You then enter the bowels of the cliffs, 120 metres below ground, to visit the Baume caves. A 70-metre-long underground path leads you there. Welcome to a succession of rooms with sound and light to make the place fun, all accompanied by a mysterious and magical atmosphere. A unique place where the spectacle of lakes and rivers, bats and blind shrimps follow one another through 600 meters of galleries. It's a complete change of scenery for the whole family, and ideal when the weather is hot, if you don't forget your jumper... it's only 11 degrees inside the cave!

Baume cave
Baume cave© iStock

What is the name of the waterfall?

Then get ready for the spectacle of the Tufs waterfall. The tuffs are porous rocks and the water comes from the bottom of the recess of a river called the Dard. Magnificent and abundant in spring, its flow varies according to the season and the accumulation of rainfall. Often arid or poor during the summer, it gives way to a pretty green landscape thanks to the plants that grow on the rock, while you can hope to discover it frozen in winter. This is an activity that you can accompany with your picnic, thanks to the large grassy area available on site.

The Tufs waterfall
The Tufs waterfall© iStock

Why the name Baume-les-Messieurs?

Originally, before the abbey was built by Abbot Bernon and his companions, its name was already Baume, which comes from "balma" and refers to a cave sheltering hermits. Following its construction in the 9th century, and then that of Cluny, it became known as Baume-les-Moines. However, after their decline, the brave monks were replaced by noble canons, and the abbey took the more prestigious name of Baume-les-Messieurs!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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