In Les Brenets, water activities, trails to the Saut du Doubs and historic village architecture can all be part of your travel plans. When preparing your stay, you can focus on the Doubs, a hike to the waterfall or the history of the village, depending on your interests. The options also vary: by the water, you can swim, canoe, SUP or take a boat trip; hiking destinations range from the Saut du Doubs to places beyond Les Brenets.

Shore, lake and waterfall

Plage des Brenets has a rocky shore and a pebble beach that provides access to Lac des Brenets. Swimming in the Doubs is also possible at the beach; local conditions may vary. A range of water sports are available in connection with the lake and river: with the “Canoë sur le Doubs” service, visitors can canoe on Lac des Brenets or the Doubs. The service and its operation may be subject to seasonal conditions.

SUP equipment can be rented from a self-service box at Lac des Brenets. Its operation depends on the season and weather. The “Croisière sur le lac des Brenets” takes passengers on panoramic boats through the Doubs basins; it may operate seasonally. Check the timetable before planning your trip. This helps you distinguish between the various water-based activities without assuming they are available at all times.

A striking destination by the water is the 27-metre-high Saut du Doubs. The hiking trail there starts in the village and leads through the forest and along rocky cliffs to the waterfall. The Saut du Doubs can also be reached by boat operated by Navigation sur le Lac des Brenets; from the landing stage, it is a ten-minute walk. If you plan to take this route, check the boat timetable.

Hikes with different destinations

The trails offer different points of reference for planning. The hiking trail from the village leads to the Saut du Doubs. “Histoire(s) du Doubs”, by contrast, is a guided hike from the Les Brenets landing stage, over the ridge to the waterfall. It is described as easy and is approximately five kilometres long, with an elevation gain of 180 metres. As the service’s availability may change, check before your trip whether it will be running when you visit.

Other routes extend beyond Les Brenets. Route No. 95, “Au fil du Doubs”, connects Les Brenets with Saint-Ursanne and follows the Doubs through the heart of a nature park. “Le long du Doubs franco-suisse” leads from Les Brenets to Maison Monsieur, following the French-Swiss border through green landscapes reflected in the water. These destinations can help you choose: the village trail leads to the waterfall, while the two routes mentioned connect Les Brenets with places further afield.

Village history and views

The 1848 fire shaped the history and reconstruction of Les Brenets. The village was rebuilt according to a geometric layout plan, giving it an urban character. The 16th-century church survived the 1848 fire; it had previously been repaired after a fire in 1694. A new temple was added to the village layout in 1859, in its most prominent location. Together, these details offer a historical perspective on different stages of the village’s development.

Tour Jürgensen was built on a rocky promontory near the Doubs and offers a viewpoint over Lac des Brenets. It is open 24 hours a day, year-round, although temporary maintenance or weather restrictions may apply. During severe winter frosts, the Doubs basins near Les Brenets can form a natural ice rink. This is a seasonal possibility dependent on conditions, not a guarantee every winter.

Excursions in the surrounding area

Further afield, the Planet Trail runs in ten stages from Le Locle to the source of the Doubs. This educational hike depicts the solar system to scale and passes through the Doubs Regional Park. For road travel, Les Brenets can be reached from Switzerland via the Col des Roches; the road continues across the national border to Villers-le-Lac. These details add a route in the surrounding area and a specific road connection to the local options.

Discover more destinations: Le Cerneux-Péquignot, Le Locle, Brot-Plamboz, Les Ponts-De-Martel, La Brévine.

Back to the main travel overview: Le Locle.