Les Bouchoux combines a moderate circular hike with remarkable traces of its architectural and local history. The La Croix des Couloirs route, views of the Monts Jura and Tacon Valley, and the church and Prieuré de Cuttura offer different highlights. When planning your visit, it is worth deciding first whether to focus more on hiking time, scenic views or historic architectural features.
La Croix des Couloirs: a circular hike you can plan
The La Croix des Couloirs hiking route is of moderate difficulty, 7.9 kilometres long, follows a circular route and takes about three hours. It starts and ends near the bar and grocery shop in Les Bouchoux. Its distance, difficulty level and circular format help you plan the time required and assess whether it suits your preferences. Check current official route information before setting off; trail conditions and local parking options may change.
Two distinct landscapes
From the La Croix des Couloirs viewpoint, you can see the Monts Jura to the east and the village of Les Bouchoux to the west. The Belvédère de la Madone offers views of Les Bouchoux and the Tacon Valley, through which the river of the same name flows. The two viewpoints offer different perspectives: La Croix highlights two directions, each with its own destination, while the Madone brings the village and valley together. If you want to prioritise a particular aspect of the landscape during your stay, this comparison can help you choose the right viewpoint.
Church and priory: several historical periods
The present-day church in Les Bouchoux was built in 1718. Its entrance portal is dated to the 16th or 17th century, and there are inscriptions above the entrance. The building and the portal therefore have different dates: the church has a year of construction, while the portal is assigned a date range. This distinction gives a more precise picture of the building’s history than a single date for the entire structure could.
The Prieuré de Cuttura was founded in 1190 by the lords of Chatillon-en-Michaille. In 1231 it was transferred to the ownership of the Abbey of Saint-Claude. Today, one tower remains from the former priory; it was converted into an oratory in 1942. Remains of the priory house have also survived. The sequence of dates marks three distinct milestones: the foundation, the transfer to the abbey and the tower’s later conversion. This makes it possible to distinguish the priory’s history over time rather than reducing it to a single date.
Landscape heritage and a cultural venue
The village square in Les Bouchoux also adds a cultural dimension: it can host events that require little amplification. The site of the Moulin d’Aval waterfall, also known as Moulin Dalloz, has been included in the landscape inventory since 1961. In addition to hiking and architectural history, this brings a possible event venue and a landscape feature with a specific date into focus. The two names, Moulin d’Aval and Moulin Dalloz, refer to the same waterfall site.
Discover more destinations: La Tour-Du-Meix, Longcochon, Charézier, Saint-Lothain, Les Rousses, Chaussin, Saint-Claude, Fay-En-Montagne
For the broader travel overview: Jura.
