The 10 most beautiful castles in Jura
10 châteaux
Chosen among 96 recorded castles
What to see in Jura when you only have a weekend: the 10 most visited castles according to their visitors’ reviews, among those open to the public whose visiting conditions we checked on the official website. For each: what you see, the entry price, the link to the full entry.
Ranked by renown: how often their name is searched on Google each month, and how many reviews visitors have left. “Beautiful” is your word; what we measure is what visitors choose.
No. 1
Château de Frontenay (Frontenay Castle)
Frontenay
In Frontenay, in the Jura region, this privately owned castle retains a 14th-century keep built by Jean de Chalon to guard the salt route to Salins. The same family has held it since 1446, passed down through six successive names over the centuries.
No. 2
Château d'Arlay (Arlay Castle)
Arlay
Built at the foot of the ruins of a medieval stronghold, the château d'Arlay was raised in the late 18th century by the Countess of Lauragais on the site of a former convent. Its eight-hectare park lies within the old fortress walls and includes a botanical garden devoted to games, recognised as a Jardin remarquable.
No. 3
Château de Présilly (Présilly Castle)
Présilly
Standing on the Crotard hill above Présilly, the ruins of this castle overlook the Jura landscape from an 11th-century keep with walls three metres thick.
No. 4
Château de Chevreaux (Chevreaux Castle)
Chevreaux
Perched on a rocky spur at 473 metres above sea level, Chevreaux castle overlooks the Bresse plain in the Jura region. The ruins seen today bear witness to a turbulent past, including a demolition ordered by Louis XI and a destructive siege during the Ten Years' War.
No. 5
Château de Clairvans (Clairvans Castle)
Chamblay
château de Clairvans, in Chamblay (Jura), France. Location, access and practical information.
No. 6
Château de Gevingey (Gevingey Castle)
Gevingey
The château de Gevingey stands at the foot of the Revermont hills, a few kilometres from Lons-le-Saunier, within a large estate of vineyards and woodland. Built in the first quarter of the 17th century, it retains from that period a notable entrance porch, listed as a historic monument.
No. 7
Château de Cornod (Cornod Castle)
Cornod
The Cornod castle has occupied a Jura valley site since the Middle Ages. Its present appearance dates from 1876, when architects Henri Despierre and Henri Feuga transformed the medieval dwelling into a neo-Gothic residence flanked by two corner towers. A square tower, connected by a gallery, dominates the complex.
No. 8
Château de Syam (Syam Castle)
Syam
In Syam, in the Jura region, a villa inspired by Palladian architecture overlooks the former ironworks that once belonged to the same family. Built for an ironmaster passionate about Italian design, it stands out for its square plan and central rotunda lit from above by a lantern.
No. 9
Château de Vaulgrenant (Vaulgrenant Castle)
Pagnoz
Château de Vaulgrenant, in Pagnoz (Jura), France. Location, access and practical information.
No. 10
Château de Binans (Binans Castle)
Publy
Château de Binans, in Publy (Jura), France. Location, access and practical information.
Every castle in Jura (96)Which ones open this weekend?
Frequently asked questions
- What is the most beautiful castle in Jura?
- The most visited in Jura is Château de Frontenay, first in this selection according to its visitors’ reviews. All 10 castles listed are open to visitors with checked hours.
- How much does a visit cost?
- The adult entry price is shown under each castle when the official website publishes it; 0 of these castles are free.
- How is this selection made?
- Among the 96 castles recorded in Jura, we keep those open to the public with a photo, then rank by number of Google reviews. No castle pays to appear.