Things to do in Arbois

Cover photo: Authentic village of Arbois © Shutterstock / fleboedec

Nestled in the foothills of the Revermont, this wine-growing town charms visitors with its authenticity, understated elegance, and deep attachment to tradition. A town of character, science, and terroir, Arbois invites you to take your time, to taste, to contemplate, to understand. With its vineyards, scientific and historical heritage, refined architecture, and unspoilt natural landscapes, Arbois is full of treasures to discover with Teritoria. Follow the guide in this article!

Cellars and tastings: inside the barrels

In Arbois, wine is not just a product: it is a culture, a language, almost a faith. The region is home to iconic grape varieties such as Savagnin, Trousseau, and Poulsard, as well as unique wines with powerful aromas, including the famous Vin Jaune, Vin de Paille, and Côtes du Jura in both red and white.

The wine estates generously open their cellars to visitors. Iconic names such as Domaine Tissot, Domaine de la Pinte, Domaine Ratte, and Maison Henri Maire offer guided tastings, often paired with food, inviting guests into the intimate world of each winemaker. Conversations flow about climate, soil, and ageing, but also about memories and passion. Wine tasting here becomes a slow ritual, a sensory journey: the oxidative notes of Vin Jaune surprise, the finesse of Trousseau enchants, and the sweetness of Vin de Paille moves you. You taste, you listen, you learn.

Things to do in Arbois: Pasteur, science with deep roots

Arbois is not only about its vineyards. It is also the town of Louis Pasteur, whose perfectly preserved house invites visitors to plunge into the history of science. Just a stone’s throw from the centre, the Maison Pasteur offers a remarkable immersion into the scientist’s world, with original furniture, instruments, notebooks, and a faithful reconstruction of his home laboratory.

A few minutes from Arbois, within the grounds of Château Pécauld, the Jura Vine and Wine Museum continues the journey into local history. Here, visitors can explore the evolution of wine-growing practices, ancient tools, and traditional techniques. From the heights of the château, the view stretches across the gently sloping vineyards, the red roofs of the town, and the folds of the Jura landscape.

Arbois, a town with a living heritage

Arbois’s heritage is not confined to its walls, it is best experienced on foot. The delicately preserved historic centre unfolds like an open book. The Church of Saint-Just, remarkable for its size and 60-metre Romanesque bell tower, has dominated the town for centuries. Its silhouette leads visitors to the Pont des Capucins, where the River Cuisance plunges into a waterfall in the heart of town.

Autour de la Place de la Liberté, les maisons à pans de bois, les hôtels particuliers discrets et les galeries d’art composent une ambiance feutrée, authentique. Le vendredi matin, le marché anime la ville dans une atmosphère de petit village de caractère : les étals regorgent de fromages jurassiens, de charcuteries fumées, de miels, de noix, de vins et de fleurs. 

Things to do in Arbois: nature and hiking

The charm of Arbois also lies in its closeness to vibrant nature, never far away. Just a few kilometres from town, the Planches-près-Arbois valley reveals one of the Jura’s most spectacular limestone gorges: steep cliffs, crystal-clear springs, and deep caves. A listed and protected site, it offers marked trails through breathtaking scenery.

Hiking enthusiasts will find plenty of trails around Arbois: on foot or by mountain bike, numerous loops wind between vineyards and forests. The “Sur les pas de Pasteur” trail follows in the scientist’s footsteps through the region, while the “Sentier des Échelles” in the nearby village of Pupillin offers a steep but spectacular climb.

In summer, the banks of the Cuisance are a renowned locations to relax: swim in natural pools, picnic in the shade, nap by the water, or take a cable car ride above Mont d’Arbois, all in a peaceful, unspoilt setting.

Arbois and its surroundings are not static backdrops, but inhabited, cultivated, living landscapes. During your hikes or tastings, please stay on the trails, avoid picking anything, and leave the area as you found it. The beauty of the Jura lies in its fragile balance between people and nature. At Teritoria, we believe it is better to leave a lasting impression on people than on the planet. If you’d like to discover other inspiring terroirs on your travels, visit our website and explore our gift shop, dedicated to the products and expertise of our regions. For more ideas and discoveries, subscribe to our newsletter. And if Arbois has won your heart, join our loyalty programme: every experience, every stay, every purchase brings you closer to an even richer, more authentic journey.

By Émilie FALLOT NGUYEN