At Le Chapeau de Gendarme, Septmoncel’s geological character is clearly on display: the limestone layers are visibly folded. Hiking trails, a viewpoint and traces of regional history complement this landscape highlight. When planning your visit, it is worth considering each destination for what it offers—such as a circular hike, a view or a trail with a long, steep ascent.

Rock Folds and Views

Le Chapeau de Gendarme is a geological feature along the Lacets de Septmoncel. The rock displays a tightly folded limestone anticline. An anticline is a fold in rock; here, the visibly curved layers make its shape easy to understand. There is a car park opposite.

From the Belvédère de la Roche Blanche, panoramic views extend over the village of Septmoncel, the town of Saint-Claude, the Flumen gorge and the surrounding folds. The Cascades du Flumen are a natural site of national interest. The panorama combines views of the local area with the folded rock formations.

Hikes with Different Profiles

The Les Gorges du Flumen circular hike starts and ends in Le Replan, Septmoncel. The Cascade du Flumen can be reached via an approximately 15-minute round trip. A footpath of about 1.5 km leads to the Belvédère de la Roche Blanche. If you plan excursions by time, the waterfall’s approximate round-trip time can serve as a guide; for the Belvédère, you can use the walking distance as a guide.

The Sentier des Chamois is 16 km long, involves 1,000 m of ascent and is rated three stars for difficulty. Between markers G and I, there is a long, steep ascent covering 700 m over 2.3 km. So when choosing a hike, the total distance is not the only thing to consider—this challenging section also matters. The elevation profile gives this trail a different character from the shorter route to the viewpoint.

Crafts and History of the Haut-Jura

Until 1884, the Chemin des Moines was the main transport route between Saint-Claude and Septmoncel. The parish church of Saint-Etienne in Septmoncel was built in 1685. These two historical sites offer different perspectives: the history of sacred architecture and the former route linking two towns.

Lapidary work is a historic trade in the Haut-Jura. It involves cutting and polishing colored stones, used mainly in jewelry making. This craft focuses on regional stoneworking and complements the history of the church and transport route with a different perspective. The Sentier des Lapidaires is an educational trail that introduces visitors to the environment, landscapes, history and distinctive features of the Haut-Jura. It offers a broader regional perspective on topics that go beyond individual buildings.

Discover more travel destinations: Dole, Gizia, La Balme-D'épy, Baume-Les-Messieurs, La Chaux-Du-Dombief, Lajoux, Nevy-lès-Dole, Longchaumois

For the broader travel overview: Jura.