Clairvaux-Les-Lacs combines prehistoric pile-dwelling history and historic buildings with two lakes that offer distinctly different possibilities. When planning a stay, the contrast between Grand Lac and Petit Lac is just as important as the choice between cultural and water-based activities.
Pile-dwelling history and historic buildings
The prehistoric pile-dwelling settlements of Clairvaux are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The oldest pile-dwelling settlement dates back to 3900 BC. Seventeen pile dwellings have been counted in the waterlogged sediment of Grand Lac de Clairvaux. The town’s history is therefore connected not only with a distant past, but also with concrete evidence of its pile dwellings.
A striking building is the Tour de Clairvaux-les-Lacs: it is the surviving tower of a 12th-century castle. The Église Saint-Nithier de Clairvaux-les-Lacs offers a different architectural note. The Romanesque church has a bell tower with an imperial dome. La Méridienne is located in the town hall courtyard. It was restored and dates from the 18th or 19th century. At the time, it served as a time reference for the entire working and trading community of the town. Notre-Dame de L’Isle remains on the castle grounds.
Museums and insights into everyday life
The Musée des machines à nourrir et courir le monde displays around 100 handmade wooden models by Marcel Yerly. The museum offers 1,000 m² of climate-controlled exhibition space for family visits. An exhibition at the Salle des fêtes in Clairvaux-Les-Lacs presents the everyday life of Neolithic farmers and includes a reconstruction of a house. The way it is presented may change; if you plan to visit this exhibition, it is advisable to check the latest information.
These topics offer different ways to explore the past: the pile dwellings reach far back into prehistory, while the tower, church and La Méridienne show different aspects of the town’s architectural and local history. Handmade models are at the heart of the museum; the exhibition at the Salle des fêtes focuses on the everyday life of Neolithic farmers.
Grand Lac and Petit Lac: different possibilities
Grand Lac de Clairvaux is suitable for swimming and water sports. Seasonal offerings, which may change, include pedal boats, paddleboards, canoes, fishing for pike, perch and carp, as well as windsurfing. If you are planning any of these activities during your stay, it is best to check the conditions for the relevant season.
The beach at Grand Lac has fine sand and gentle slopes that are ideal for children. It has been awarded the Pavillon Bleu for its water quality. Beach features and the award should be checked again for upcoming seasons. Petit Lac is quite different: it is private and has a wild character; swimming and fishing are prohibited there. When choosing the focus of your trip, it is therefore worth distinguishing between the two lakes: the beach and the water activities mentioned are features of Grand Lac, while Petit Lac cannot be used for swimming or fishing.
Planning your stay
Clairvaux-Les-Lacs lies on the 150 km Route des Lacs, which runs through the département. Within the town, several clearly defined themes are available: UNESCO pile dwellings, historic architecture and exhibitions, as well as swimming and water sports at Grand Lac. Deciding which of these you want to shape your stay is a useful question to consider when planning your trip. If you would like to include both culture and water activities, keep an eye on the seasonal conditions for activities at Grand Lac.
Discover more destinations: Chevigny, Mournans-Charbonny, Annoire, Écleux, Longchaumois, Blois-Sur-Seille, Graye-Et-Charnay, Mouchard.
For the broader travel overview: Jura.
