Saint-Amour lies on the first slopes of the Jura massif and also extends into the nearby Bresse plain. This gives you different options when planning your trip: historic architecture in town and countryside in the surrounding area. If you are looking for a hotel in Saint-Amour, first decide whether culture, an active outing or a mix of both will shape your stay. The Pays de Saint-Amour landscape is defined by wooded hills, meadows and vineyards.
Historic Architecture and Collections
The town’s historic character includes tracery windows, sculpted and moulded gables, statuettes and niches dating from the 16th to the 19th century. The different forms and periods offer architecture enthusiasts specific details to discover, from the tracery on the windows to the figures and niches. The 19th-century apothecary is fully preserved and listed as a historic monument. Its collection includes more than 300 vessels dating from the 16th to the 19th century, adding a distinct collection focus to the town’s architectural history.
The Royal Prisons were built between 1730 and 1741. The complex includes a courtroom, the jailer’s quarters, a chapel, prison rooms and dungeons. A visit takes you through passageways and up staircases to the dungeons, offering insight into the history of 18th-century smugglers. Visiting schedules and booking conditions may change; check them in advance.
The Tour Guillaume and the parish church also offer their own historical highlights. In the 12th century, the Tour Guillaume became the study of Guillaume de Saint-Amour. The parish church has a 48-metre-high bell tower in the Comtois style and houses a reliquary containing the relics of Saint Amator (Saint-Amour). Together, these places offer different ways to explore Saint-Amour’s history through its architecture, the former uses of its buildings and its religious heritage.
Leisure and Excursions
If you want to plan some active pursuits alongside visits to historic sites, there are several different options. Saint-Amour’s swimming pool has two pools, a volleyball court, shaded lawns and picnic tables. It is open seasonally; check opening times and facilities in advance.
The City Game is an escape room-style activity for teams of two to six people. Using clues and puzzles, participants search for a treasure in Saint-Amour. It offers a shared puzzle-solving experience alongside visits to historic sites. Booking conditions may change; check the latest details in advance.
For an excursion through the Pays de Saint-Amour, the Le Pays de Saint-Amour – 79R circular route starts in Saint-Amour and passes from village to village. Unlike the City Game, which takes place in Saint-Amour, this circular route is designed as a trail through the Pays de Saint-Amour. Check current trail conditions before setting out.
Getting There and Choosing Accommodation
There is a TER ticket machine at Saint-Amour station. Station services may change; check the latest information before travelling. This makes it easier to choose a hotel in Saint-Amour based on what you would like to do during your stay.
Discover more destinations: Vernantois, Port-Lesney, Le Fied, Chambéria, Fort Du Plasne, Bonlieu, Peintre, Mournans-Charbonny
For the broader travel overview: Jura.
