Bonlieu brings together several aspects for a discovery trip: the forest and lake landscape around Lac de Bonlieu, the HĂ©risson waterfalls, and cultural and historical themes relating to the Chartreuse de Bonlieu and a statue of Saint Claude. Specific route details help with planning your walks; the historical events span several eras. This lets you shape your stay around the landscape and route length, or around the historical themes.
Lake, Views and Hiking Routes
Lac de Bonlieu is a glacial lake in a forested area, overlooked by a rocky ridge. It is about 700 metres long and 300 metres wide. The Belvédère de la Ronde offers a viewpoint overlooking the lake. These measurements give a concrete idea of its size, while the viewpoint adds a perspective over the water. Together, these details show different aspects of the same landscape destination: its glacial origins, its setting of forest and rocky ridge, and the view over the lake.
A shorter hike can start on the shore of Lac de Bonlieu and is 3.3 kilometres long. The Cascades du HĂ©risson comprise seven waterfalls along a 3.7-kilometre route with 255 metres of elevation gain. The difference in length is 400 metres; the elevation gain on the Cascades route also provides another point of comparison. This means you can factor not only the distance but also the stated elevation profile into your route planning.
There is also a specific connection between the lake and the waterfalls: Lac de Bonlieu is one of the sources of the HĂ©risson River, which flows by the Cascades du HĂ©risson. The lake is therefore both a landscape destination in its own right and connected to the Cascades by the river. This link adds a geographical perspective on the natural attractions to the route details.
Visitor Rules at the Lake
Swimming in Lac de Bonlieu is prohibited as part of environmental protection measures. So do not plan to stop for a swim at the lake, and check the local rules before your trip. Visitors may bring dogs to the lake, but they must be kept on a leash. If you are travelling with a dog, this leash requirement is an important part of planning your visit to the lake.
The History of the Chartreuse and a Protected Statue
The Chartreuse de Bonlieu was founded in the 12th century in the valley of Lac de Bonlieu. During the French Revolution, it was sold as national property. In August 1944, during the Liberation fighting, the Germans set fire to the remaining buildings of the Chartreuse. Its history therefore includes three clearly distinct turning points: its medieval foundation, its sale during the revolutionary period, and the destruction of the remaining buildings in 1944.
The church in the hamlet of Bouzailles in Bonlieu houses a painted, polychrome wooden statue of Saint Claude. It dates from the last quarter of the 17th century and has been protected as a historic monument since 1 July 1997. Polychrome refers to the statue’s multicoloured decoration. It was created well after the Chartreuse was founded, but before the French Revolution. This comparison places two different cultural artefacts from Bonlieu in their historical context and adds a specific art-historical connection to the nature themes.
Discover more destinations: Bellefontaine, Rahon, Florentia, Lons-Le-Saunier, Saint-Germain-Lès-Arlay, Annoire, Graye-Et-Charnay, Chevigny
For the main travel overview: Jura.
