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Baume-les-Messieurs

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Visit Baume-les-Messieurs (Franche-Comte, France)

Baume-les-Messieurs is a picturesque village eight kilometres to the north-east of Lons-le-Sauniere in the Jura department of Franche-Comte. In a splendidly scenic setting, Baume-les-Messieurs is surrounded by steep wooded slopes rising to high cliffs - the Cirque de Baume, the meeting place of three impressive valleys.

Exploring Baume-les-Messieurs

Within the village itself the benedictine abbey of Saint-Peter is the main monument of importance. The abbey dates from the early 11th century (and replaced an even older abbey in the same location - the village was founded around 869).

The 13th century abbey church is a mix of roman and gothic elements, and also contains some remarkable decorative highlights. You can also see the chapel, and various of the other buildings associated with the abbey.

Given the isolation of the location we can well believe that it was a suitably quiet spot for monks to meditate - when we visited in March we were the only tourists in the village (and there was no sign of residents either), so can well imagine how peacful it was before the advent of roads!

The village itself is small and contains a perfect ensemble of unspoiled, not too renovated, streets and houses winding quietly into the baume gorges, and a small river runs through the centre of the village.

Baume-les-Messieurs is also classified as one of the 'most beautiful villages of France', and in our opinion is one of the most attractive among these villages.

Attractions nearby

Very close to the village it is well worth visiting the Baume-les-Messieurs caves, and the adjacent waterfall. The great cavernous stalactite filled 'rooms' have been carefully lit (and filled with music in one or the caverns) for maximum impact.

There is a lovely viewpoint down to the village from the cliffs at the 'belvedere des roches de Baume' which is also recommended as one of the scenic highlights of the region (Baume-les-Messieurs is the village at the bottom of the gorges while Granges-sur-Baume is the distant village above the gorges).

Also near to Baume-les-Messieurs (to the north-east) is the pine forest at Foret de la Joux, with many magnificent old pine trees lining the numerous marked walks. A few kilometres south of the village, don't miss the Hérisson waterfalls - easily accessed and very impressive!