Thoirette combines a clearly defined cultural heritage with water and cycling activities. The Maison natale de Xavier Bichat is located in the town; La Lône and the Sentier de la Lône form another area of interest, while a paddling route and the Tour du lac de Coiselet offer two specific tour options. When choosing accommodation, your own plans for the day are a sensible starting point: should your stay focus on visiting the protected historic structures, or on an activity on the water or by bike?
Bichat heritage in Thoirette
The Maison natale de Xavier Bichat is partially protected as a Monument historique; it was listed on 18 May 1990. The protected features include the façades and roofs, as well as specific, precisely identified elements inside: on the ground floor, a fireplace plate bearing the name Claude Bichat, and on the upper floor, the fireplace with its plate. The listing also includes a livestock watering trough, separated from the house by a path. The description therefore covers both parts of the house and a separate feature located elsewhere. The heritage protection details are precisely defined: they specify the façades and roofs, fireplace components and the separate trough, rather than all parts of the building in general.
La Lône and the landscape along the Ain
La Lône is a branch of the Ain in Thoirette-Coisia and was fully restored in 2021. More than 2.5 hectares of wetlands were created as part of the restoration. The Sentier de la Lône runs along the banks of the Ain in Thoirette. The project associated with the trail was carried out in collaboration with the CPIE (Centre permanent d’initiatives pour l’environnement) du Haut Jura, whose aim is to educate the public about the environment. A 2014 biodiversity document places the entire municipality of Thoirette within the “Petite Montagne du Jura” Natura 2000 site. Boundaries and management information may be updated. The landscape theme therefore encompasses both the specific restoration of La Lône and the wider context of the municipality.
Paddling or cycling?
You can rent paddles at the leisure centre in Thoirette; paddling starts from the launch pontoon in Thoirette. From the centre, an out-and-back paddling route leads to Lac de Conflans and takes one hour. Water conditions may affect availability. Check before travelling whether the launch pontoon is currently usable.
The Tour du lac de Coiselet is a 30.5 km cycling loop. It is signposted with green cycle route marker 16; the starting point is the car park by Thoirette Town Hall. Check the signage on site and local parking conditions before setting off.
For choosing a tour, duration and distance are different ways to plan: the out-and-back paddling route is listed as taking one hour, while the cycling loop is described by its 30.5 km distance. This lets you first decide whether a paddling route with a set duration or a cycling loop described by distance better suits your plans for the day.
Discover more destinations: Le Deschaux, Dole, Dompierre-Sur-Mont, Fontainebrux, Cuvier (Jura), Chevigny, Pont-de-Poitte, Mérona
For the wider travel overview: Jura.
