Great great riding in the Franches Montagnes

Franches Montagnes are a rider's paradise. The AREF has established more then 150km of signposted riding trails, with easy to be opened gates from top of a horse, a map with an overview of all the routes, and numerous places where you and your horse can stay overnight.

Our favourite place to rent horses is with the Restaurant Guillaume Tell in Le Cernil, just below Les Reussilles (about 10 min. walk along the train station from Les Reussilles on the main road to Saignelegier). They offer a wide range from pure Franche Montagnes Horses (Muschka and Makumba come recommended as reliable and strong horses also for heavier men riders), to more lively and elagant mixtures (Lina, half Franche Montagnes, half thorough bred or Milene, half blood come highly recommended). Horses are well kept, of good character, and rather affordable to rent: 20Sfr. per hour non accompanied, 25SFr. per hour accompanied. The stable is simple, at times one is expected to clean and prepare the horses yourself, but for this price we are more than ready to put a hand on ourselves. For reservations call Restaurant Guillaume Tel. 032 487 67 67. If you reserve well in advance, it is good to call half a day before again as a reminder and confirmation, particularley if weather forcast is not all that good.

Vor an overvieew on the signposted routes: www.aref.ch

And if you are a horse fan and happen to be in Muriaux (a village next to Saignelegier, on the La Chaux de Fonds-Glovelier train line) on the second week end of February, then do not miss on the winter version of the Marche Concours! Dressed up like Russian Tsars, parallel sledges run to the sounds of dramatic music great to watch, or you let yourself draw on skis by horses!

Beautiful Loop Walk along the Doubs River with at least Three Culinary Highlights

The walk starts and ends in Goumois, the bi-national community down on the banks of the river Doubs. There is a bus leaving Saignelegier at 8.41 in the morning down to Goumois, and two options to return from Goumois back up to Saignelegier at 16... and 17.... The entire trail is signposted as Chemin de la Verrerie, with reference to the numerous glass making factories that once upon a time were run along the Doubs. Some ruins are still to be seen if you follow a difficult little track along the French side of the Doubs from La Goule heading East (different to the route described);

Take an ID or passport with you as you cross the border info France;

The first culinary highlight is situated just accross the bridge from Switzearland into France in the village of Goumois: the little shop "Montagnard" runs an amazing selection of great French food, ranging from local sausages, terrines, cheese, excellent fruit, wine, fresh baguette, croissants, and also has an excellent coffee machine! So do not miss to stop for a second breakfast, and stock on some goodies on the way, or drop into his shop again before you catch return bus home!

The route then follows for a short distance the road, before forking off onto a trail within a hedge, and from then on following more or less closely the Doubs river bank. In spring the trail can be flooded, so be prepared to have to take your shoes off if you go early in the season. At one point opposite the Restaurant de la Theusseret on the Swiss side, the trail climbs up some 50m in altitude to buypass some rocks, but otherwise is easy.

Fantastic Brunch at Cafe Lux in Le Locle

http://www.lelux.ch/content/cafe.html

The Brunch is on offer all Saturdays from 10am onwards. Products are the best possible from the entire region, ranging from wood smoked meat, Bleuchatel cheese, all sorts of fresh bread and bakery from Le Fournil de Pierre and you name it...and all of this for 12 Sfr. only, believe it or not! With - of course - la Semeuse Coffee and a rich selection of teas!

Very friendly welcome to the ones that are not local to Le Locle included! We are happy to join, but the place also comes strongly recommended for a romantic week end! Excellent as a start to a hiking week end, or a cosy few hours when weather outside is really horrible. You can also stay until the evening concert starts!

Romantic Hotel de la Chaux - once upon a time it was the Chocolate Tsar Sprüngli's Riding Base!

(Tel. 032 961 11 52; 2333 La Ferriere; Double room 130Sfr/night; Dinner: 32Sfr/person for hotel guests or on advance booking only)
There is an own Chemin de Fer Railway Station "La Chaux d'Abel" a 10 Min walk from the Hotel - the owners are happy to pick you up there.







The couple Frochaux has carefully refurbished all room with antique furniture, with much attention to details, and also a pinch of good humour. The rooms and the generous park recall the times when people went on holidays within Switzerland primarely, and once a year for a couple of weeks. Some of the then times guests still are faithful to the place. At one time in the history of the guest house, it belonged to Mr. Sprüngli, where he and his friends spent riding holidays. The location on top of a ridge allows to overlook the landscape far into France, and definitely encourages to set out on long hores rides or hikes. Strongly recommended then come sundowners on the romantic benches located at various spots in both the park and the carefully maintained garden. A place to relax in great peace.
The hotel comes with only one little down side in our oppinion: entirely home cooked food is almost "too healthy", and if you are really hungy, you might not get enough. We were desperate for something more substantial, a little - let's say rich - sauce to go with the excellent meat, or maybe even chips every now and then as a side plate?!!! So if you tick like us pack some little goodies to go with your sundowner, and you will spend a great week end at the Hotel!

Along the Magnificient Doubs River

Le Châtelot - Where already Smugglers had a Good Rest

(Tel. 032 913 12 51; overnight 20Sfr./person, Breakfast 6Sfr/person; dinner 15Sfr./person)

La Maison du Banneret Wisard - an impressive smoking chamber with most tasty output!

Daphodills as far as the eye reaches

April comes, and 100'000s of daphodills are out in the Jura. One of the very best places to see fields over and over in yellow: Cerneux Godat, a tiny settlment to the North of Les Bois, also with very beautiful Jura houses!