Jura (department) Facts for Kids

Jura is a department in the eastern part of France. It gets its name from the Jura mountains. It's important not to confuse it with the Swiss canton also called Jura.

History of Jura
Geography of Jura
Climate in Jura
Economy and Wine
Tourism and Activities
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History of Jura

For a long time, Jura was part of a region known as the Free County of Burgundy. In French, this was called the Free County. The city of Dole used to be its capital.

However, in the 1600s, King Louis XIV of France took control of the region. He then moved the capital to Besançon. Today, Dole is a sous-préfecture of Jura, which means it's a smaller administrative center.

People in the southern part of Jura spoke a language called Arpitan. This started as early as the 13th century. It was still spoken in the countryside until the 20th century.

Jura was one of the first 83 departments created in France. This happened during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790. It was formed from a part of the old province of Free County. Today, Jura is part of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region of France. The main capital city of Jura is Lons-le-Saunier.

Geography of Jura

Lac de Vouglans is a large lake in Jura, formed by a dam on the River Ain.

Jura is located in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region of France. It shares borders with several other French departments. These include Doubs, Haute-Saône, Côte-d'Or, Saône-et-Loire, and Ain. To the east, Jura is next to the Swiss canton of Vaud.

The Jura mountains are different from the Alps. They are mostly covered in forests and have rolling hills. They are not as steep or rocky as the Alps.

Many lakes can be found throughout the Jura department. The biggest natural lake is called Lac De Chalain. It is about 3 kilometers long and 1 kilometer wide. Another important lake is Lac de Vouglans. This lake was created when a large dam was built for a hydro-electric power station. It is now one of the largest man-made lakes in France.

Climate in Jura

The weather in Jura changes a lot depending on how high up you are. The lower valleys have a mild and pleasant climate. However, the higher mountain valleys can have very cold winters.

Economy and Wine

Jura is famous for its wine production. The Jura wines are quite special and unique. One famous type is called vin jaune, which means "yellow wine." It is made in a way similar to sherry. This wine develops a layer of yeast called a flor as it ages. It is made from a local grape called Savagnin. Other grapes grown here include Poulsard, Trousseau, and Chardonnay.

Tourism and Activities

Train on the Saillard bridge, Jura

The Jura mountains offer many chances for fun activities. You can go hiking and explore the beautiful scenery. In winter, it's a great place for skiing and other winter sports. Mountain biking is also popular here.