Montigny-lès-Arsures offers two distinctive points of interest: a strong winemaking tradition and a rich architectural and local history. The Trousseau grape is at the heart of its wine profile; the viaduct, tower and church offer different facets of its heritage. To choose the focus of your stay, you can first decide whether you would like to explore the wine-growing landscape or the area’s architectural and local history in greater depth.
Winemaking, Trousseau and the Route
Montigny-lès-Arsures lies on the Route des vins du Jura. The Sentier du Trousseau passes through the vineyards of the Arbois area and showcases the village’s architectural heritage. Montigny is considered the capital of the Trousseau grape. The route and the trail each highlight something different: the route places the village within the Jura wine-route network, while the trail connects winemaking with the local architectural heritage.
Montigny-lès-Arsures is the Jura’s largest wine-growing village. Winemakers cultivate 200 hectares in the Arbois and Côtes du Jura appellations under AOC, as well as a further 2.57 hectares for other wines. This additional area sits alongside the larger AOC area and belongs to a different wine category. For wine enthusiasts, both the scale of production and the distinction between the two areas are part of the village’s profile.
The Caveau de Bacchus – Aviet Lucien & Fils in Montigny-lès-Arsures offers cellar tours and wine tastings. If you would like to plan a visit, check the date and current availability in advance. This is a way to experience the village’s connection with wine through a specific visitor offering.
Architecture and Local History
The Viaduc de Montigny is a curved railway viaduct with eleven arches. It measures 230 metres in length and 28 metres in height, and is part of the Ligne des Hirondelles between Dole and Saint-Claude. Its length, height and arches convey different aspects of the same structure: its span, its elevation and its design.
The Tour du Zouave Coco was completely restored in 1988. The circular earthen mound associated with it was three to four metres high, enclosed by dry-stone walls and topped with a narrow terrace. From there, people could look out over the Arbois valley and the Arsures corridor. The restoration and the description of the mound offer different insights: one into the building’s history, the other into the historic shape of the terrain.
The Église Saint-Grégoire-le-Grand de Montigny-lès-Arsures was listed as a historic monument by decree of 2 March 1981.
On 25 January 1871, during the retreat of the French troops, Zouave Coco held up an opposing detachment near Montigny-lès-Arsures until he ran out of ammunition. The date and the context of the retreat give this event a clear timeframe. It adds a distinct historical reference to the village’s architectural history.
The difference in scale can help you decide what to focus on during your stay: winemaking presents Montigny as a wine-growing village and part of a regional route, while individual buildings and a dated event offer a glimpse into its local history. This can help you decide whether to follow the thread of wine or focus on individual historic buildings.
Discover more destinations: Dompierre-Sur-Mont, Passenans, Villard-Saint-Sauveur, Coisia, Châteauneuf, Mont-Sous-Vaudrey, Dole, Fort Du Plasne
For the broader travel overview: Jura.
