Lac de Cuttura and the Sentier des Savoir-Faire offer different reasons to choose Cuttura: the lake shapes the landscape, while the trail combines hiking with playful works by local craftspeople. A studio and the history of the Auberge du Vieux Moulin add to these highlights.
Lake and trails
Lac de Cuttura is one of two lakes formed by dams on the Lizon. The “Le Tour du Plateau du Lizon” route passes by the lake, which lies between two villages. Those planning an outing along a named route will find a clear connection here between the body of water and the route. For travelers interested in waterside landscapes, the lake’s history is linked to a specific route.
The Sentier des Savoir-Faire is 3 kilometers long and runs between Ravilloles and Cuttura. Along the way are playful works by local craftspeople. Its length and endpoints give the tour a clear shape, while the works along the trail add a craft element. The two routes therefore offer different ways to choose: one focuses on the lake, the other on distance, endpoints and crafts. Check trail conditions before setting out.
A free guidebook for the Sentier des Savoir-Faire is available at the Atelier des Savoir Faire and at the tourist information offices in Saint-Claude, Lajoux and La Pesse. If you would like to use the guidebook to prepare, check with one of the distribution points before setting off. This lets you factor the guidebook into your hiking plans.
Crafts in Cuttura
Art Bois Terre is a craft studio based in Cuttura and dedicated to woodturning. It produces wooden sculptures and Raku pottery. This sets the studio apart from the works along the Sentier: there, playful works by local craftspeople line the route; here, the focus is on one particular craftsperson and their combination of wood and ceramics. This makes a difference when choosing what to focus on: the trail combines crafts with a hike, while the studio offers a closer look at the work of a single craftsperson.
Mill history and technology
The Auberge du Vieux Moulin in Cuttura is housed in a former turning workshop dating from 1880. The building was converted into a restaurant in 1990. Its history can thus be traced through two stages: its former use as a turning workshop and its later conversion into a restaurant. Its former industrial use and subsequent change of purpose give the site a tangible historical connection.
By appointment, the auberge offers tours of a renovated waterwheel and an innovative 10 kW power station. This adds a technical highlight to the building’s history: the waterwheel and power station are the focus of the tour. Those interested in mill technology and energy will find a different subject here than at the craft studio.
Tours of the Art Bois Terre studio and the Auberge du Vieux Moulin are available by appointment. Arrange your visit before arriving. When planning, the key choice is whether to opt for a trail with a clearly stated length or to include a specific guided visit in your itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Pratz, Fay-En-Montagne, Mont-Sous-Vaudrey, Gevry, Le Larderet, Dampierre, La Chassagne, MĂ©rona
For the wider travel overview: Jura.
