I rediscovered the unspoilt wilderness that I love so much in Canada and Scandinavia in the Jura: deep forests, rolling hills, lakes and unspoilt landscapes, and just a few hours from Paris. When I saw this 18th-century farmhouse, nestled in a small village and with a stream running through it, it was love at first sight. My Franche-Comté roots, from my grandmother's side are echoed here, both in the cuisine and in the way of life. It felt like I was going back to my roots. The other reason was that I wanted to give my daughter the chance to experience nature, as an antidote to our life in Paris. The Jura had everything I was looking for: the scenery, history and a relaxed way of life.
This old farmhouse which is typical of the Jura region, was built shortly after the French Revolution, in a style designed to suit the mountain climate. Built on top of cellars, it unfolds across three storeys beneath a vast gabled tiled roof. Its limestone facades, now covered in ivy, feature numerous windows protected by wooden shutters and louvres. Inside, the solid timber framework, exposed beams, oak floors and spacious rooms have retained their original character. Converted in the 20th century into an around 300 m² house, it has retained its traditional spirit: a large, old fireplace, materials weathered by time and a subtle layout create a space that is at once warm, welcoming and intimate.
The house was built in the late 18th century on the ruins of, and using stones from, a former medieval castle, Châtel-de-Joux. It was originally a farmstead, home to families of farmers and livestock breeders who lived in tune with the seasons and the Jura mountains. It became a family home in the 20th century. For nearly 30 years, it was home to an artist couple from Nice who had set up their studio here, and later to a business executive with a passion for Canada, who was drawn to the “Far North” atmosphere of the Haut-Jura. Its last owner, a Belgian water and forestry engineer with a passion for biodiversity, patiently restored it. This history has given rise to a unique atmosphere, blending Nordic, Mediterranean and artistic influences.
The property is nestled in a peaceful village, surrounded by forests and at the foot of the ski slopes in the heart of the Jura mountains, in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté. Here, mountains, lakes and rivers come together to form an unspoilt landscape, the perfect setting for a proper break from it all. From the moment you arrive, the house offers that rare feeling of escaping the hustle and bustle of city life without cutting yourself off from the world: Lyon is 50 minutes away, Switzerland 40 minutes away and Geneva 1 hour and 15 minutes away. Designed for holidays with family or friends, it follows the seasons: mountain activities, swimming in the pool, evenings by the fire or creative retreats. A ground-floor bedroom is also suitable for people with reduced mobility. A caterer or private chef can be arranged to enhance the experience, on request. .
From the house, you can explore the Jura on foot or by bike. In the heart of the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park, footpaths and mountain bike trails wind their way through forests and past lakes, including those at l’Abbaye and Étival, which are ideal for swimming. In Clairvaux-les-Lacs, “La Fruitière à Comté” offers visitors the chance to discover the traditional expertise of Jura cheesemakers and the local PDO cheeses. When it comes to fine dining, “Le Chat Gourmand” in Mesnois brings forgotten dishes back to life, whilst “La Table de Perraud” in Lons-le-Saunier specialises in home-style cooking. Baume-les-Messieurs, nestled in a spectacular valley and listed as one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in France”, is a must-see. In fine weather, Lake Vouglans becomes the Jura’s “seaside resort”, ideal for swimming and water sports.
Measuring approximately 300 m², the house features a living room, a dining room, a fitted kitchen and a bedroom accessible to people with reduced mobility on the ground floor. The first floor comprises a spacious 64 m² living room and library, and four bedrooms, two of which have en-suite bathrooms. In the attic, a bedroom and an additional room complete the property. The one-hectare garden, which a stream flows through and which features a swimming pool, opens out onto the forest. There is space for three vehicles to park.
ref 380726
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