Tourist excursions in the watchmaking Haut-Doubs

Discover the Franco-Swiss Doubs region

For a discovery stay combining nature and culture, Les Hauts du Lac welcomes you in an exceptional setting near the Swiss border and the famous Saut du Doubs, a designated Grand Site of France. Enjoy breathtaking views over the Val de Morteau, take advantage of numerous full-day or half-day excursions to explore the surrounding wonders, and savor the culinary specialties of the Jura Mountains!

Villers-le-Lac is not just a charming village in the Haut-Doubs—it is actually a true showcase of Jura heritage: spectacular natural scenery, an industrial history shaped by watchmaking, and a vibrant mountain culture (local produce, rural architecture, and Franco-Swiss border traditions).

Must-see visits

The Saut du Doubs

A 27-meter waterfall classified as a Grand Site of France, formed by a natural rockslide 12,000 to 14,000 years ago in the heart of deep gorges with cliffs rising over 40 meters.
Surrounding it, the river basins and Lake Chaillexon create a spectacular natural reservoir (up to 3.5 km long).
Access is possible on foot or by sightseeing boat, making it one of the most visited natural sites in all of Franche-Comté.

Morteau

Morteau is home to a watchmaking museum housed in a Renaissance château listed as a historic monument. The Doubs region is known as the “Watchmaking Country” because, for more than a century, local inhabitants produced parts and watches for the neighboring Swiss industry. This activity shaped the local economy and even the architecture (workshops, farmhouses, and large windows for fine mechanical work).

Montbenoît Abbey and the “Republic of Saugeais”

The only preserved medieval religious complex in the Doubs, Montbenoît Abbey immerses you in monastic life from the 12th to the 15th century: cloister, kitchen, chapter house, dungeon, and of course the abbey church in flamboyant Gothic style.
What makes this place unique? Its close link with the Republic of Saugeais—a playful local micronation founded in 1947. Definitely worth discovering.

Neuchâtel

On the Swiss side of the border, the city of Neuchâtel charms visitors with its medieval old town built in yellow stone, dominated by the castle and the collegiate church overlooking a stunning alpine lake with promenades, beaches, and panoramic views of the Alps.
The city also blends culture and nature: renowned museums (especially archaeology and ethnography), nearby terraced vineyards, and direct access to the Jura Mountains for hiking or cycling.

Also worth visiting: Remonot Cave, the underground mills of Col des Roches, the Loue Valley, Ornans, Murten, Bern, Besançon, Lausanne…

Highlights of your stay at Les Hauts du Lac

Accommodation in double rooms
On-site restaurant featuring regional Franche-Comté specialties at least once a week
Indoor swimming pool and sauna, much appreciated at the end of the day or in rainy weather
Evening entertainment every other night for groups

Hiking Groups

3,400 km of marked trails in our département… a true…

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Cycling Groups

The Doubs has no shortage of attractions for cyclists: rolling…

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Séminars and meetings

Training sessions, workshops, meetings… at Les Hauts du Lac, take…

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Excursion stays

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