In the Franche-Comté region, in the Jura
L’Eglise Saint-Just, classée Monument Historique
Situated at the foot of the first plateau of the Jura mountain range, Arbois is a once-fortified historic town edged with vineyards and forests. Together, Arbois, Salins-les-Bains and Poligny form the Pays du Revermont.
Arbois is a member of several networks that have earned labels of excellence: an association of towns with regional character grouped together under the label Petite Cité Comtoise de Caractère; a national network of historic towns and districts with the label Villes et Pays d’Art et d’Histoire; and a network of sites excelling in gastronomy and tourism with the label Site Remarquable du Goût. When in Arbois, be sure to visit Louis Pasteur’s childhood home and laboratory, the vine and wine museum at Château Pécauld, and the Saint Just Church, a listed historic monument.
Arbois wines
Legend has it that the wines of the historic town of Arbois were already renowned at the time of the Romans. A particularity that can be found right down to its colours, which are yellow and black, in reference to Vin Jaune (yellow wine) and the forest.
Sic his quos diligo, “Thus I do for those I love” – this is the motto of the town of Arbois, and the symbol which the Fruitière Vinicole d’Arbois has put into practice through its blend “Béthanie”.
The town also gives its name to the Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée Arbois. It produces red wines, white wines, crémants (sparkling wines), Vin Jaune and Vin de Paille using the typical varietals of the Jura, Poulsard, Trousseau, Pinot Noir, Savagnin and Chardonnay.
The coat of arms of the town of Arbois:
Azure, a pelican argent pecking its breast with droplets gules for its young also argent, all posed on a nest or.
Tourism and discovery in Arbois
Running through Arbois is a pretty river called the Cuisance, which has its source a few kilometres away in the Reculée des Planches. A reculée is a blind valley enclosed by chalk cliffs, a phenomenon typical of the Jura; this one is a listed reculée that has earned the label Natura 2000. Arbois has been steeped in history for centuries. A member of an association of towns with regional character with the label Petite Cité Comtoise de Caractère, Arbois is famous mainly as the town where Louis Pasteur spent his childhood. His home, complete with the laboratory he set up there, is now a museum.
Arbois is also a renowned wine-producing district. Arbois was the very first AOC attributed in France, in 1936. The town is the capital of Jura wines, with nearly 900 hectares of vineyards covering its hills – close to half the area of the entire Jura wine region.
Not only has Arbois also earned the labels “Site Remarquable du Goût” and “Petite Cité de France”, it was recently awarded the coveted label “Pays d’Art et d’Histoire”. You could easily spend hours exploring this beautiful town and its history.
Special events abound throughout the year, including the traditional grape harvesting celebration called the Cérémonie du Biou, the International Organ Festival, and the wine and music festival Festicaves.
The waterfall in Les Planches-près-Arbois,
10 minutes away
The statue of Louis Pasteur
The clock on the Saint Just Church