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Known as the land of water, forest and mountain, the vast
woodland of Franche-Comté stretches between Vosges and Jura and
offers a variety of landscapes and activities throughout the
seasons. It is no accident that hundreds of people, whilst
walking in Jack London’s and his dog’s footsteps, should be
drawn to the Jura. The “call of the wild”, remains an
ever-present reality in this mountain range stretching out along
the Franco-Swiss border. It is a paradise where foresters,
countrymen, craftsmen, sportsmen and hikers happily mix. |
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Wood is everywhere in evidence in this
border country with the traditional industries of sawing, toy
and pipe-making, and manufacturing of small wooden objects, all
forming the backbone of the local economy. Seasonal highlights
of this area, reputed for its authentic traditions and the
warmth of its hospitality, include the annual descent of the
cattle from their mountain pastures and many rural and forest
festivals. Renowned for its gastronomy, Franche-Comté land is the result of
a perfect harmony between man, nature and the soil. With the
cheeses of the region you can prepare the most tempting of
boards : Comté, Morbier, Emmental , Mont d’or, Bleu de Gex, and
Cancoillotte.
Being a cattle breeding region, Franche-Comté
has developed a wide variety of good quality delicatessen
products. Smoked on farms in a tuyé (a large smoking chimney)
the salt meats vary : brési (dried smoked beef), Morteau
sausage, Luxeuil ham, Montbéliard sausage, Ballon des Vosges
smoked shoulder. These delicatessen exhale an array of varied
flavours including pine and juniper.
Franche-Comté also produces local wines and Jura wines. A region
of fruit trees, Franche-Comté is also a producer of brandies and
particularly typified liqueurs: kirsch from Fougerolles and from
Mouthier, and, among others, pine and gentian liqueur. It even
produces a traditional local apéritif: the anis from Pontarlier.
Tradition lives on in the brotherhoods and folk groups of
Franche-Comté
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