As with the villages of Oingt and Malleval, the little village of Baume-les-Messieurs is a real treasure trove. Located just 2 hours from Lyon, like the pretty commune of Yvoire, the village nestles in a verdant valley and looks like something out of a film set. Despite its tiny size (less than 200 inhabitants), the village has a strong CV: listed as one of France’s Most Beautiful Villages, a Cluniac site, Grand Itinéraire Culturel Européen… And when it comes to activities, the village is also firing on all cylinders.
Nature, the real star of Baume-les-Messieurs
As you enter the valley that leads to the village, you’ll notice the predominance of Mother Nature. The narrow road plunges into a bucolic valley, surrounded by cliffs up to 200 m high. In the middle of this cirque, the village is set in a natural theater that is unique in France.
The Baume caves are quite simply among the most spectacular in France. With over a kilometer of galleries, take a trip to the center of the Earth, with an ambient temperature of 11°C inside – perfect for hot days. Waterfalls are the village’s other main attraction, and here too, the spectacle is guaranteed. The pictures speak for themselves (the waterfall is less impressive in summer). Finally, for the more adventurous, you can take a hike to the Reculée de Baume lookouts for a breathtaking view over the valley.
An architectural and gastronomic heritage
How can we talk about Baume-les-Messieurs without mentioning its imperial abbey? A small monastery founded in the IXᵉ century, the site was transformed into an abbey under the impetus of the founding father of Cluny… Cluny and Baume-les-Messieurs, same battle: the two abbeys enjoyed a golden age for several centuries, enabling the small Jura village to see its abbey elevated to the rank of imperial abbey – a unique fact for a village of this size.
And all this activity… it makes you thirsty! Don’t worry, here we produce AOC Côtes du Jura wines, including the famous Vin Jaune. It’s easy to imagine that in such a natural setting, the vines can produce the best grapes, to our great delight.