Lons le Saunier Travel Planning with NileGuide

Around Lons-le-Saunier

Château-Chalon, Etoile and the southern Côtes du Jura
By Wink Lorch

This Guide was last updated on 26 August 2009
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Events

La Percée du Vin Jaune

The most important wine festival in the Jura, La Percée du Vin Jaune attracts up to 50,000 people and takes place over the first weekend of February. It celebrates the release of the 'new' vintage of Vin Jaune (6 years and 3 months after the harvest). The main processions and ceremonies are a sight to behold and take place on Sunday morning. On Saturday and Sunday afternoons around 60 wine producers have indoor stands set up with wines to taste, though be warned, they can be very busy. Food stands and restaurants are available. There is also an auction of old vintages of Jura wines on the Saturday afternoon. If the weather is dry, the atmosphere is amazing (even though it may be very cold!). The festival is in a different town or village each year. Buses are laid on from car parks outside the village/town. In 2010, it will take place in the town of Poligny.

Annual Vigneron Picnic

Across the Jura region, participating vignerons (sometimes collectively in their villages) provide picnic facilities (bring your own picnic!), wines and sometimes entertainment (jazz bands etc) on a middle Sunday in June.