Switzerland Guide
The Arc Jurassien
Saignelégier
Saignelégier is just a shop or two larger than a village, its main purpose for the visitor being as a gateway to the Canton Jura. There are limitless possibilities for hikes and cycle routes through the countryside around and about: aim southeast to the idyllic Étang de la Gruère lake, or southwest along the ridge to the ancient village of Le Noirmont, or north, down into the Doubs valley for the riverside forest trails around the border hamlet of Goumois – also known for its canoeing and kayaking.
You can camp at Sous La Neuvevie ( 
032 951 10 82; May– Oct), 2km south beyond the arena, or at the municipal site in Goumois ( 079 314 19 38; April– Oct). Hotels and pensions abound, in every hamlet and scenic spot. The friendly 
Café-Hôtel du Soleil, two minutes south of the station in Saignelégier ( 032 951 16 88, 
www.cafe-du-soleil.ch ; Price: Fr.100-150), has several rooms and a dorm (Fr.25), and doubles as a local arts centre, with concerts and exhibitions as well as good veggie food in their restaurant. Hôtel du Doubs, just by the riverside border crossing in Goumois ( 032 951 13 23; Price: Fr.100-150; closed Jan & Feb), offers comfortable, rustic rooms as well as excellent cuisine.
With your own transport, you can get to a couple of excellent restaurants. Le Theusseret ( 032 951 14 51; closed Wed & Dec– Feb), just uphill from Goumois, is an outstanding restaurant in an idyllic old mill beside a weir, specializing in fresh local produce and melt-in-the-mouth fish (menus from Fr.20). The pricier Restaurant Georges Wenger in Le Noirmont ( 032 957 66 33, www.georges-wenger.ch ; Price: Fr.250–350; closed Jan; restaurant closed Mon, Nov– April also Tues) has won national acclaim; the fresh, locally inspired cuisine has a Michelin star, while the hotel embraces a handful of classic, individually styled guest rooms.