Fort des Rousses was converted into Comté cheese aging cellars in 1998. Le Tour des Douves runs along the north side of the fort moat to the Porte de France. At the Porte de Suisse, the route provides access to the interior of the fort and the Comté aging cellars. This access to the interior may depend on the season or require a reservation. If you plan to visit the cellars, check in advance whether visits are available.

Two routes, two different focuses

The routes offer different profiles to choose from. The Sentier de la tourbière du lac des Rousses is an easy 1.9-kilometer walk taking one hour; its wooden boardwalk crosses the moorland. Le Tour des Douves is a very easy, 2.8-kilometer interpretive trail taking about an hour. Although this route is longer, its stated walking time is close to that of the shorter route. The moorland boardwalk and the fort moat offer different thematic highlights. The key details will help you weigh up both options: a scenic route through the moorland or a route around the fort.

Seasonal activities

Le Noirmont is a ski area in winter and a hiking area in summer. You can use this seasonal change to help choose when to travel. A new bike park opened at Fort des Rousses in 2026. It has four permanent, signposted trails, ranging in difficulty from green to black. Trail details may change, so check them before planning your visit. Supervised swimming is available at Plage des Rousses in July and August. Check the specific seasonal dates if you want to include this in your travel plans.

Skiing and tradition

The Musée du Ski et de la Tradition Rousselande showcases a remarkable collection of French skis and bobsleds. It offers a cultural perspective on skis and bobsleds to complement the seasonal activities at Le Noirmont. Guided visits are available by reservation and last 1 to 1.5 hours. Reservation and visiting details may change, so check the arrangements in advance. The fort focuses on Comté aging, while the museum focuses on French skis and bobsleds.

Time for trails and the museum

For planning your day, you can compare the stated timeframes: each of the two routes takes about an hour, while a guided museum visit lasts 1 to 1.5 hours. These timings provide a guide to the duration of individual activities, but do not suggest a fixed itinerary. Since the museum visit requires a reservation, confirm the time before adding it to your plans. You should also check in advance whether visits to the fort’s interior are available.

Discover more destinations: Rochefort-Sur-Nenon, Orgelet, Nozeroy, Gevry, Montbarrey, Chaussin, Maisod, Chapelle-Voland

Return to the broader travel guide: Jura.