Last updated · Lons-le-Saunier (Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, 260 m elevation) commune guide reviewed by the FranceStarter editorial team
What to See & Do in Lons-le-Saunier (Bourgogne-Franche-Comté)
Exploring Lons-le-Saunier (INSEE 39300) in Jura, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté connects you directly to Abbaye Saint-Pierre de Baume-les-Messieurs, Pointe de la Vuarde, and the wider rail network through Gare de Lons le Saunier (0.7 km). Spanning its municipal territory at 260 m elevation (pop. 17,364), Lons-le-Saunier is well known for open-air market mornings and tables serving Bœuf Bourguignon & Coq au Vin de Bourgogne and Escargots de Bourgogne, Gougères & Jambon persillé.
In Lons-le-Saunier (Lons-le-Saunier (39300), 260 m elevation, pop. 17,364), top sights and local landmarks include Abbaye Saint-Pierre de Baume-les-Messieurs (8.1 km) · Pointe de la Vuarde (7.9 km) · Mont Chavet (14.9 km), alongside surrounding quartiers and hameaux such as Le Puits Salé. Within Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (Jura), Lons-le-Saunier serves as a commune in bourgogne-franche-comté (Regional km², Urban/Town residents/km²) that pairs well with wider regional highlights including Dijon Palace of the Dukes & Owl Trail, Beaune Hospices (Hôtel-Dieu) & Route des Grands Crus, Vézelay UNESCO Basilica & Fontenay Abbey, Besançon Vauban Citadel & Jura lakes and waterfalls.
- Nearby Landmarks & Monuments in Lons-le-Saunier: Abbaye Saint-Pierre de Baume-les-Messieurs (8.1 km) · Pointe de la Vuarde (7.9 km) · Mont Chavet (14.9 km)
- Local Quartiers, Villages & Lieux-dits (Lons-le-Saunier): Le Puits Salé
- Historic Core & Weekly Marché of Lons-le-Saunier: Stroll the central square around the Mairie, parish church, and morning market stalls in Lons-le-Saunier.
How to Get to Lons-le-Saunier: Nearest SNCF Station & Rail Access
Rail & road access for Lons-le-Saunier (46.6744°N, 5.5539°E): Nearest station is Gare de Lons le Saunier (0.7 km), connecting via the regional hub of Gare de Dijon-Ville & Besançon Franche-Comté TGV (SNCF TGV INOUI, Lyria & TER Mobigo). TGV INOUI & TGV Lyria from Paris Gare de Lyon to Dijon in 1h35 and Besançon in 2h05; TER Mobigo wine-route trains linking Dijon, Beaune, Chalon-sur-Saône and Mâcon.
- SNCF TER & transit cards for Lons-le-Saunier: Once in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, SNCF TER regional trains and departmental coaches link Dijon with Lons-le-Saunier (Gare de Lons le Saunier (0.7 km)). Urban trams and buses accept contactless bank cards and regional passes (Navigo Easy in Paris, TCL in Lyon, Lignes d'Azur in Nice).
- Luggage & station storage near Lons-le-Saunier: Major SNCF hubs in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté offer consignes (left-luggage lockers). If stopping in Lons-le-Saunier between bases, verify bag dimensions in our SNCF & Airline Luggage Checker.
- Driving & car rental around Lons-le-Saunier: While Lons-le-Saunier centre-ville is accessible by rail and local bus, picking up a rental car at Gare de Dijon-Ville & Besançon Franche-Comté TGV (SNCF TGV INOUI, Lyria & TER Mobigo) makes it easy to explore rural vineyards, châteaux, and scenic passes across Bourgogne-Franche-Comté. See our Driving in France, Autoroute Tolls & Crit'Air Guide.
What Locals Eat in Lons-le-Saunier (Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Specialties)
1. Signature Dish in Lons-le-Saunier (Entrée & Plat)
In Lons-le-Saunier (Jura), traditional tables feature: Heartland gastronomic icons—Bœuf Bourguignon slow-braised in Pinot Noir, Coq au Vin, Œufs en meurette, Escargots de Bourgogne in garlic-parsley butter, Poulet de Bresse aux morilles, and Saucisse de Morteau. Across the Jura department, Lons-le-Saunier showcases seasonal market produce, artisanal boulangeries, and AOC wines from Bourgogne-Franche-Comté.
2. Wine & Cellar Pairings Around Lons-le-Saunier
Around Lons-le-Saunier and across Jura, local wine lists and cellar pairings highlight: Legendary Burgundy Climats (Chablis, Côte de Nuits, Côte de Beaune, Côte Chalonnaise, Mâconnais), Crémant de Bourgogne, plus Jura Vin Jaune, Château-Chalon and Arbois Poulsard.
3. AOC / AOP Cheeses & Boulangerie in Lons-le-Saunier
At the weekly market and fromageries of Lons-le-Saunier (Jura), look for: Comté AOC (aged 12–36 months in fort caves), Morbier, Mont d'Or and Époisses AOP cheeses; Jambon persillé; Moutarde de Dijon; Pain d'épices; Anis de Flavigny; and Griottines de Fougerolles.
4. Dining Rhythm & Market Hours in Lons-le-Saunier
Warm cheese gougères paired with a Kir (Aligoté and Crème de Cassis de Dijon) before dinner, vaulted cellar tastings along the Route des Grands Crus, and Sunday family lunches lasting into the afternoon. In a mid-sized French town like Lons-le-Saunier (pop. 17,364), travelers will find multiple artisan bakeries, fromageries, brasseries around the main square and SNCF station, and a lively weekly open-air market showcasing Jura producers.
Across Lons-le-Saunier (Lons-le-Saunier (39300)) and the wider Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, look for bistro chalkboards featuring Bœuf Bourguignon & Coq au Vin de Bourgogne, Escargots de Bourgogne, Gougères & Jambon persillé, Comté AOC, Morbier, Mont d'Or & Époisses cheeses, Moutarde de Dijon, Pain d'épices & Crème de Cassis, Burgundy Pinot Noir & Chardonnay Grands Crus + Jura Vin Jaune. For allergy cards or restaurant phrases in Lons-le-Saunier, use our French Phrasebook & Show-to-Staff Cards or practice speaking in Learn French for Travelers.
5 Nearest Neighboring Communes & Day Trips from Lons-le-Saunier
The 5 closest neighboring French communes (communes limitrophes) to Lons-le-Saunier (46.6744°N, 5.5539°E, 260 m elevation) for local day trips across Bourgogne-Franche-Comté are:
- Montmorot (1.9 km from Lons-le-Saunier)
- Villeneuve-sous-Pymont (1.9 km from Lons-le-Saunier)
- Montaigu (2.0 km from Lons-le-Saunier)
- Perrigny (2.5 km from Lons-le-Saunier)
- Chille (2.7 km from Lons-le-Saunier)
Commune Facts, Elevation & Best Time to Visit Lons-le-Saunier
Seasonal advice for Lons-le-Saunier (Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, 260 m elevation): Best time to visit Bourgogne-Franche-Comté: May–Oct (Sep–Nov for Burgundy harvest & Les Trois Glorieuses in Beaune). Pair your visit to Lons-le-Saunier with regional highlights across Bourgogne-Franche-Comté: Dijon Palace of the Dukes & Owl Trail, Beaune Hospices (Hôtel-Dieu) & Route des Grands Crus, Vézelay UNESCO Basilica & Fontenay Abbey, Besançon Vauban Citadel & Jura lakes and waterfalls.
| Commune Fact | Details for Lons-le-Saunier (Lons-le-Saunier (39300)) |
|---|---|
| Official Commune Name | Lons-le-Saunier (39300) (Lons-le-Saunier) |
| Administrative Role | Commune in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté |
| Region & Prefecture Capital | Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (Capital: Dijon) |
| Geographic Zone | Jura |
| Population | 17,364 residents |
| Surface Area / Density | Regional km² · Urban/Town residents per km² |
| GeoNames Elevation | 260 m elevation |
| Nearest Rail Station | Gare de Lons le Saunier (0.7 km) |
| Municipal Heritage | Official Municipality |
| GPS Coordinates | 46.6744°N, 5.5539°E |
Practical Travel Tips for Lons-le-Saunier
- Office de Tourisme in Lons-le-Saunier: Visit the local Office de Tourisme near the historic center of Lons-le-Saunier (or at Gare de Dijon-Ville & Besançon Franche-Comté TGV (SNCF TGV INOUI, Lyria & TER Mobigo)) for walking maps, market days, and seasonal château or museum hours.
- Cards, Euros & ATMs in Lons-le-Saunier: Bistros, bakeries, and shops in Lons-le-Saunier accept Visa and Mastercard (contactless sans contact up to €50), though keeping €10–€20 in coins and small notes is helpful for open-air market stalls and village bakeries. BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole, Société Générale, and La Banque Postale ATMs operate across Bourgogne-Franche-Comté.
- French dining hours in Lons-le-Saunier: Outside nonstop brasseries near major stations, kitchens in Lons-le-Saunier serve lunch strictly from 12:00 to 13:45 and dinner from 19:15 to 21:30.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Lons-le-Saunier (Lons-le-Saunier (39300)) located in France?
Lons-le-Saunier (Lons-le-Saunier (39300)) is a commune located in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté in the Jura region of France (coordinates: 46.6744°N, 5.5539°E, 260 m elevation). It has a population of 17,364 across Regional km² (Urban/Town/km²).
How do I get to Lons-le-Saunier by SNCF train?
Travelers reach Lons-le-Saunier via Gare de Lons le Saunier (0.7 km) and the main regional gateway of Gare de Dijon-Ville & Besançon Franche-Comté TGV (SNCF TGV INOUI, Lyria & TER Mobigo). TGV INOUI & TGV Lyria from Paris Gare de Lyon to Dijon in 1h35 and Besançon in 2h05; TER Mobigo wine-route trains linking Dijon, Beaune, Chalon-sur-Saône and Mâcon. Compare fares and travel times in our SNCF TGV INOUI, Ouigo & TER Fare Calculator.
What local food is Lons-le-Saunier (Bourgogne-Franche-Comté) known for?
In Lons-le-Saunier and across Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, signature regional dishes include Bœuf Bourguignon & Coq au Vin de Bourgogne, Escargots de Bourgogne, Gougères & Jambon persillé, Comté AOC, Morbier, Mont d'Or & Époisses cheeses, plus Moutarde de Dijon, Pain d'épices & Crème de Cassis and Burgundy Pinot Noir & Chardonnay Grands Crus + Jura Vin Jaune. Look for artisan boulangeries, weekly open-air marchés, and bistros offering a weekday Formule du Midi.
When is the best time of year to visit Lons-le-Saunier?
For Lons-le-Saunier (Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, 260 m elevation): Best time to visit Bourgogne-Franche-Comté: May–Oct (Sep–Nov for Burgundy harvest & Les Trois Glorieuses in Beaune). Check our France Seasonal Calendar for month-by-month weather and festival highlights.
Official Sources & References for Lons-le-Saunier
- Atout France (Official France Tourism Agency)
- SNCF Connect — Train Schedules & Fares
- Wikipedia: Lons-le-Saunier
Official commune, rail, and tourism references for Lons-le-Saunier (Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, 46.6744°N, 5.5539°E) verified against Atout France, SNCF Connect, and INSEE / GeoNames data.