Richness of the fauna
A great diversity of mammals is present in the Jura. Many rodents live in the mountains and plains: rabbits, squirrels, ermines, dormice, field mice... There are also chamois, ibexes on the Swiss side, roe deer, deer, foxes, wild cats (called "forest cats"). The lynx is rarely seen, as it is rather shy in front of humans. However, it is the biggest predator in France. Another predator is coming back, the wolf, more and more visible, as well as its cousin the fox
Lizards, garter snakes, adder vipers... all these species are now protected since 2021 and constitute the majority of the reptilian fauna of the Jura. Numerous species of amphibians (salamanders and batrachians, yellow-bellied sounder, flycatcher among others) inhabit rivers and wetlands in the mountains
On the bird side, we find the classic birds of prey of the region such as the buzzard, the hawk, the black kites, the boreal, Tengelmalm and owl, the great horned owl, the peregrine falcon, the eagle and other iconic birds such as the capercaillie, the grouse, the crossbill, the bullfinch. Near the rivers live herons, egrets, wagtails, dippers, kingfishers... This great diversity is preserved thanks to the lakes and rivers present on the territory, and the natural parks and reserves
Pike, whitefish, rainbow and brown trout, grayling live in the rivers and mountain lakes.
Among the insects, butterflies such as the rare parnassius apollo, the delicate Azuré des mouillères and the spectacular agrions and Leucorrhines, without forgetting the delightful Déesse précieuse, the smallest dragonfly in Europe, of which the massif hosts the only known station in France today, and other beetles and diptera, grasshoppers, crickets and dragonflies are present in the Jura, as well as various species of spiders.
From the diversity of the flora to the wild forests and the precious peat bogs
47% of the Jura is covered by forests, and is marked by a strong forestry tradition. Beech, the "foyard", is the main tree, but there are also maples in the valleys, while ash and lime trees are well established in the wetlands. Some cherry trees are also present. One cannot talk about forests without mentioning the fir, the spruce, as well as various mountain conifers, such as the hook pine in the peat bogs.
How pretty are the mountain flowers, and how rare they are! You just have to walk slowly and bend down carefully to spot various varieties such as wild orchids, the large yellow gentian, the martagon lily, the anemone, the mountain centaury, the camel daphne, the saponaria... Let's remember that we must be content to watch to preserve this precious heritage bequeathed by nature. Raspberry, currant and blueberry bushes are also very present in the Jura
Peat bogs and high altitude lakes mark the landscape and environmental identity of the Jura mountains. These wetlands are home to a rare and remarkable plant and animal biodiversity; they also play a vital role in preserving water resources and in adapting to climate change. More than 125 peat bogs and 18 lakes in the massif covering more than 12,000 ha spread over 52 Jura municipalities were recently designated under the Ramsar Convention, concluding years of efforts by Jura stakeholders to preserve and gain recognition for this exceptional natural heritage, which has now joined the closed club of "wetlands of international importance".
Park and nature reserves
The territory of the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park extends over three departments - the Jura, the Doubs to the north and the Ain to the south - and over two regions - Bourgogne-Franche-Comté and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. It is involved in the protection of natural environments, whether they be wetlands such as peat bogs, woods and forests, meadows and lawns, or rocky areas. Documentation and animations allow people to get to know the fauna and flora of these different natural areas better: insects and newts in the wetlands, roe deer, but also the emblematic capercaillie in the forests, columbines, bellflowers and gentians in the meadows, falcons, chamois and ravens in the rocky areas. But it also preserves and encourages human activities and traditional know-how linked to local resources: water and its energy, wood, whether it is used to make toys, turned objects or the roofing tiles that protect the exposed facades of houses, and food products such as honey. As for livestock farming, it is mainly that of Montbéliard cows whose milk gives the famous Comté and other Jura cheeses: the Bleu de Gex, the Morbier, the Vacherin Mont-d'Or and the Chevret du Haut-Jura, thanks to the meadows of the coombs and plateaus that characterize the Haut-Jura. The Maison du Parc in Lajoux showcases this region and invites you to discover it with your five senses.
Finally, the Jura has two regional nature reserves. One in Macornay and Lons: the Mancy coast. The other in the commune of Nozeroy: the Seigne des Barbouillons. But the department also has two national nature reserves: the Gravelle cave and the Girard island.
Botanical or vegetable green lungs
From the north to the south of the Jura, gardens of all kinds bear witness to the attachment of the Jura people to their land. Botanical gardens, public gardens, arboretums, architectural creations of nature by man, collections of plants alongside more natural museums. Let's not forget the orchards and the conservatory vineyards. In 2004, the "Remarkable Garden" label was instituted, and several sites have been labelled in the Jura, but many others, particularly in the Doubs, are worth a visit. These enthusiasts who are at the origin of the label will share their knowledge of botany with you. There are many initiatives in the Jura concerning vegetable and fruit gardens: training in garden maintenance with respect for nature with the permanent environmental initiation centre of the Haut-Jura (based in Saint-Lupicin); research into the regional fruit heritage and the preservation of local trees by the association Croqueurs de Pommes du Jura (in Mouchard and Saint-Hymetière). Public parks, city parks, castles or simple private properties, the Jura Massif Jurassien destination contains many "green lungs", both in town and in the countryside
