Cycle
Franche Comté
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 a paradise where foresters, countrymen, craftsmen,
sportsmen and hikers happily mix. It
is no accident that hundreds of people are drawn
to the Jura, stretching along the Franco-Swiss
border.
While on your bicycle, it won't be long before you stumble across the traditional industries of the region - sawing, toy and pipe-making, and manufacturing of small wooden objects, all forming the backbone of the local economy.
Renowned for its gastronomy, Franche-Comté 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, and Ballon des Vosges smoked shoulder.
The region is also well known for producing local wines and Jura wines. An area 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.
