Le Noirmont lies at 971 m above sea level on the high plateau of the Franches-Montagnes, right at the edge of the deeply cut Doubs Valley. The municipality brings together the open plateau and the wooded slopes along the river. Visitors planning a stay will find a range of things to explore here: hiking, a mountain biking circuit, insights into watchmaking and local cheese offerings.
Plateau, pastures and the Doubs Valley
The municipal area covers a gently undulating section of the Jura plateau. Its landscape includes marshy depressions that generally have no surface drainage, limestone knolls and extensive Jura pastures. Large spruce trees stand alone or in groups, while wooded areas complement the open pastureland. This combination of plateau, pastures and woodland shapes the landscape around Le Noirmont.
Along the north-western municipal boundary, the Doubs follows a river course cut canyon-like into the Jura plateau. The valley slope, around 500 m high, is densely wooded and crossed by numerous rock bands and ridges. Named rock formations include Grosse CĂ´te and Roche Gipois. On the northern boundary stands the striking rocky ridge of ArĂŞte des SommĂŞtres, with the ruins of Spiegelberg; Spiegelberg rises to 1108 m above sea level. At 1170 m above sea level, Point de Vue is the highest point in the municipality.
Hiking and mountain biking
The “Boucle au départ du Noirmont” is a 14 km family hike that takes approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes. Another route, “Des Franches-Montagnes au Doubs,” descends from Le Noirmont into the Parc naturel régional du Doubs and then climbs to the Arête des Sommêtres ridge. Its rock face drops into the valley. The two hikes therefore offer different points of reference: the Boucle has a stated distance and approximate duration, while the second route is defined by its climb from the valley to the ridge.
For mountain bikers, the 30 km “La Goule Bike” circuit (No. 713) starts and ends in Le Noirmont. It passes through dense forests, along a particularly wild stretch of riverbank and then through typical Jura landscapes. Hiking and mountain biking thus reveal different facets of the surrounding area, with each route description highlighting its own features.
Watchmaking and local culture
The Musée de la Boîte de Montre in Le Noirmont is the first museum devoted exclusively to the manufacture of watch cases. It is housed in a fully renovated former workshop. On display are two depictions of workshops typical of the region: a workshop where turners made round watch cases in the 1850s, and a mechanised workshop from the 1920s. Together, they offer a look at two different phases in watch-case production.
Initium offers three-hour introductory watchmaking workshops. The Le Noirmont location also offers four-hour workshops on assembling a watch, as well as full-day workshops that include an introduction to watchmaking, a meal and watch assembly. Workshop formats may change, so check current availability before booking.
A sculpture at the roundabout also draws on local history. Its motifs evoke the municipality’s history and economy, as well as its cultural and community life. They include the Franches-Montagnes’ Carimentran carnival, Franches-Montagnes horses, watchmaking and the “Le Chant du Gros” music festival.
Church history and cheese offerings
The former church of Le Noirmont stands on the foundations of a 16th-century chapel, consecrated in 1513. The former Saint-Hubert church dates from the 17th century; its nave was rebuilt in 1883–1884. Since it was decommissioned in 1969, it has served as a venue for cultural events.
The Fromagerie des Franches-Montagnes in Le Noirmont offers visits to its demonstration cheese dairy by reservation during opening hours. Visitor offerings also include the “Char apéro” and the “Sac découverte.” Before visiting, check whether a reservation is required and whether each offering is available.
For travel to the area, Chemins de fer du Jura serves Le Noirmont station and Creux-des-Biches station on request. Check the timetable separately for your travel dates. This lets you plan your journey and choose between scenery, hiking, mountain biking, cheese offerings and watchmaking according to your interests during your stay.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Les Enfers, Les Bois, Muriaux, La Chaux-des-Breuleux, Les Breuleux, Epauvillers, Les Genevez, Le BĂ©mont.
For the broader travel overview: Franches-Montagnes.
