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Hauts de Bienne
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ℹ️Practical info — Hauts de Bienne
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Visit the Musée de la Lunette to discover the fascinating history of Morez as the undisputed capital of French eyewear.
- Take a ride on the 'Ligne des Hirondelles', a scenic train route featuring spectacular viaducts right above the town.
- The town is built in a steep valley, so wear comfortable shoes if you plan to walk up the hillside streets for better views.
- It's an excellent base camp for exploring the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park, with many hiking trails starting nearby.
🍽 Food
🍽
Comté and Morbier cheeses
The local Jura cheeses are a must-try; buy them fresh from a local 'fruitière' (cheese dairy shop).
🍽
Morteau Sausage
A traditional smoked sausage from the region, often served in the local rustic restaurants.
🍽
Fondue Jurassienne
Enjoy this rich cheese fondue, especially comforting during the colder months, in a cozy local tavern.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Locally crafted eyewear
Morez is famous for its optical industry; visit the specialized boutiques in town to buy high-quality glasses or sunglasses.
🛍
Jura artisanal foods
Pick up regional specialties like honey, cured meats, and cheese from the local epiceries.
🧘
Belvédère de la Roche Fendue
Take a short hike to this viewpoint for a wide-open panorama of the Bienne valley and the viaducts.
🧘
Banks of the Bienne River
Find a quiet spot along the river that flows through the heart of the town for a peaceful break.
Water temperature…
Highlights of 2026
10
Gourmet Hike
Enjoy a pleasant hike in Hauts-de-Bienne, combining a scenic walk with tastings of delicious local products and specialties.
Fête de la Musique - Music Festival
Celebrate the start of summer with free concerts and a vibrant festive atmosphere throughout the streets of Hauts-de-Bienne.
Ligne des Hirondelles - Viaduct Circuit
A spectacular train journey through the Jura mountains, crossing impressive viaducts and offering breathtaking panoramas.
Morez Fair
A traditional fair in Morez featuring local exhibitors, regional crafts, and a friendly atmosphere for all visitors.
Nature Workshop: Preservation Action!
Help preserve local biodiversity by participating in this citizen action to remove invasive plants in a friendly environment.
Linocut Workshop for Adults
Discover the art of linocutting and create your own unique prints during this creative workshop led by professionals.
Morbier Cheese Festival
Celebrate the famous local cheese with tastings, traditional entertainment, and a market of regional producers.
Associations Fair
Discover the diversity of local clubs and associations, meet volunteers, and sign up for new cultural or sporting activities.
Firefighters' Dinner Dance
Join the local firefighters for a festive evening featuring a traditional dinner and dancing in a warm, community atmosphere.
Hauts de Bienne was established in 2016 through the merger of Morez, La Mouille, and Lézat, located in the rugged Jura department. The primary settlement, Morez, has been the heart of the French eyewear industry since the 18th century, pioneering the transition from basic metalwork to sophisticated optical manufacturing. The town is dramatically positioned in the narrow Bienne valley, surrounded by limestone cliffs and dense forests. This challenging terrain resulted in the construction of iconic railway viaducts that dominate the skyline. The Musée de la Lunette (Eyewear Museum) preserves this unique industrial heritage, showcasing thousands of historical optical instruments. Despite its industrial roots, Hauts de Bienne is a central hub for the Haut-Jura Regional Natural Park, offering exceptional opportunities for cross-country skiing and outdoor adventures. The community reflects a unique blend of high-tech precision engineering and a deep-seated connection to the alpine environment and traditional mountain culture.
- Location: Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France
- Top sights: Eyewear Museum · Morez Viaducts · Morez Town Hall
- Nearby: Saint-Claude (19 km)
- Population: ~5.350
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -1 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 12 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 14 | 10 | 4 | 0 |
| Rain mm | 96 | 75 | 92 | 82 | 117 | 107 | 101 | 107 | 80 | 103 | 100 | 109 |
Geography
Facts
- Date of commune formation: January 1, 2016.
- Average valley altitude: ~700 meters.
- Part of the Haut-Jura Regional Natural Park.
- Postal code: 39400.
- Famous landmark: The 'Ligne des Hirondelles' railway.
- Key cultural site: The Eyewear Museum in Morez.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
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© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Hauts de Bienne (6)
Frequently asked questions
Why is the district of Morez famous?
Morez is known as the world capital of eyewear manufacturing, with a long industrial tradition.
Is there an eyewear museum?
Yes, the Musée de la Lunette showcases the history and technology of optics.
Can you ski nearby?
Yes, the ski resorts of Les Rousses are only about 10 km away in the Jura Mountains.
What is the Ligne des Hirondelles?
A spectacular railway line that passes through Morez and features impressive viaducts.
Which cheese should I try here?
Typical of the Jura region are Comté and Morbier, which can be bought in local dairies (Fruitières).
Hauts de Bienne: where is it located?
Hauts de Bienne is located in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France.
Hauts de Bienne: what is there to see?
Highlights include Eyewear Museum, Morez Viaducts, Morez Town Hall.
Hauts de Bienne: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Hauts de Bienne: why is it worth visiting?
Hauts de Bienne was established in 2016 through the merger of Morez, La Mouille, and Lézat, located in the rugged Jura department.
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