Le Lieu: Cycling, forests and Vacherin

Le Lieu lies in the Vallée de Joux and is surrounded by extensive woodland. When choosing a hotel, how you plan to spend your time may be a deciding factor: cycling, trails with lake views, winter sports and regional cuisine each offer a different focus. This lets you match your travel plans to the character of the place.

Forests, lakes and trails

A trail in the Le Lieu area offers several viewpoints overlooking Lac de Joux. The Tour du Lac de Joux hiking route also reaches the village after its main climb. For a shorter option, you can choose one of the two shores and take public transport for the return journey. This allows you to plan the tour around your preferred distance.

Lac Ter lies east of Le Lieu and is fed by the Ecluse and Séchey streams. Long stretches of reed-lined shoreline define the lake. In summer, it mainly attracts anglers, who fish there for perch, roach, bullhead and pike. At Lac de Joux, Plage Les Entonnoirs has a large grassy area with some shaded spots, picnic tables and designated barbecue areas. The beach toilets are open year-round.

Cycling and winter activities

Le Grand Risoud Bike is a 31-kilometre mountain bike circuit, with 1,171 metres of ascent and descent; its difficulty is rated moderate. The signposted route runs Le Sentier–Le Lieu–Risoud–Le Sentier and is marked in one direction only. The route links lakes, pastureland and forests, and passes through the Risoud, a forest on the border between Switzerland and France. If you are planning the ride, take its direction and elevation profile into account.

The Risoud also offers a special glimpse into local forest history: rare trees grow there, and their resonance wood is sought after by violin makers around the world. The Forêt du Risoud is also associated with a story of resistance during the Second World War, involving the Passeurs du Risoud. A bike ride here brings landscape, forestry history and historical memory together.

The Les Charbonnières–Le Lieu Nordic area includes several signposted cross-country ski trails through forests and pastureland. They can be used for classic or skate skiing and combined into circuits. The Risoud section between Le Lieu and Les Charbonnières is set up and maintained for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter. Grooming depends on snow conditions and seasonal operations; use of the trails also depends on snow and trail conditions.

Vacherin and village life

In Les Charbonnières, one of the villages of Le Lieu, the Musée du Vacherin Mont-d’Or tells the story of the cheese from the Vallée de Joux. Objects and documents illustrate its artisanal production. You can buy or sample Vacherin from the oven and other regional products on site. Group visits require an advance request; you should confirm the availability of tastings beforehand.

Vacherin Mont-d’Or AOP is made from September until the end of winter, matures for 21 days and is wrapped in spruce bark. Since 2003, it has been protected by the AOP protected designation of origin. Every September, the Fête du Vacherin Mont-d’Or takes place in Les Charbonnières. Its recurring programme includes a cattle descent from the mountain pastures, a market with regional products, traditional performances and a tasting of the season’s first Vacherin. Individual dates and programme items may vary.

Another notable building is the Church of St-Théodule in Le Lieu. Its floor plan is elongated and octagonal; its natural-stone corner bell tower was built in 1798–1802 and rebuilt in 1859–60. The region is expressed in another way through its cuisine: Restaurant Hôtel de Ville du Lieu serves traditional and market cuisine, including meat dishes and seasonal recommendations. Above Le Lieu, Chalet des Plainoz offers meals made with regional products. In good weather, you can enjoy unobstructed views of the Mont Tendre massif and Dent de Vaulion from its terrace.

Discover more destinations

Ballaigues, L'abbaye, Cronay, Sainte-Croix, Orbe Vd, Mathod, Baulmes, Onnens

For the broader travel overview: Northern Vaud Jura.