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5th Balade Gourmande: Savouring the valley with every step
Photos Feuille d'Avis de la Vallée de Joux
The sun was still shining on Sunday as the 5th edition of the eagerly awaited Balade Gourmande took place, an event that has become a must for lovers of local landscapes and flavours. Organised with passion by a close-knit team of volunteers and artisans, this year's event attracted more than 320 participants.
The walk began gently at the Gare du Pont and on the train (yes, there are still trains), with coffee, tea or hot chocolate accompanied by a jam tart from Gourmastine. The itinerary, completely renewed as in each edition, took walkers through woods, valleys and secret corners, with an atmosphere that was sometimes rural, sometimes festive.
Behind this smooth and warm day were months of preparation: "We start in September looking for a new itinerary, contacting artisans, and above all organising the logistics. We have to be able to cook for 300 people!" explained Mickael. The gamble paid off: the event continues to grow year after year, thanks to the commitment of an entire community and the loyal support of three main sponsors since the beginning.
One of the secrets to its success? The route changes with each edition. ‘Even locals rediscover their own region, paths they never take, forgotten views,’ says Isabelle Piguet. This philosophy appeals to locals and visitors alike, all won over by this walk combining local produce and heritage.
Along the way, walkers can stop at:
- The church, to taste malakoffs from the Fumoir du Brocheray and wines from the Château de Châtagneréaz (Rolle),
- A gourmet viewpoint with a taillé au greubon from the Chez Collaud bakery and wines from the Cave du Consul,
- La Croisée, where local products (herb cheese, féra mousse, Piguet strawberries, etc.) competed in freshness,
- Le Chalet de l'Aouille, offering homemade roast beef from Eva's and crispy fries,
- Les Combières, for a local cheesecake and beer from the local craft brewery.
- A stand run by the Union Instrumentale du Brassus delighted young and old alike along the route, with a musical performance between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., contributing to the warm and festive atmosphere of the day.
Source Florent, Feuille d’Avis de la Vallée de Joux dated 03.07.2025
Acknowledgements Balade Gourmande Vallée de Joux
On behalf of the organising committee of the Balade Gourmande de la Vallée de Joux, we would like to warmly thank all the sponsors who make this wonderful day of discovery in our magnificent valley possible. Each edition offers a new itinerary and different dishes prepared with passion by our local artisans and producers.
We would like to express our gratitude to the Paul-Edouard Piguet Foundation and Crédit Mutuel de la Vallée, who have believed in this event since its inception five years ago.
This year, we were able to take advantage of the carriages of the Vallée de Joux Steam Train Company and the path created by the Association Promenade Romantique et Belle Époque. This day would not have been possible without the friends who helped us and gave their time.
Thank you to everyone, and we look forward to seeing you again at the next edition of the Balade Gourmande de la Vallée de Joux.
The committee,
Andreia Navalho, Michaël Piguet and Isabelle Piguet
A lively Saturday at Le Pont
Source Val TV
Many events took place on Saturday, 30 June at Le Pont: "La Fête de la Rade", the inauguration of the Belle Epoque walkway and the passage of the race around the lake
The Belle Epoque walkway was inaugurated at Le Pont
Photos Feuille d'Avis de la Vallée de Joux
It was during the annual "la Rade se déride" festival that the Société de Développement du Pont inaugurated its Belle Epoque walkway. Under a generous sun, dozens of local residents came to
enjoy the entertainment and discover one of the first ten of 15 boards installed along the harbour
It was hot and sunny on Saturday, 30 June 2018, and the Pont harbour was buzzing with activity. The Brass Band l’Echo des Forêts provided musical entertainment, while children enjoyed the many
games available to them on the road closed to traffic. The harbour was bustling with activity and the atmosphere was warm and friendly. The theme of the day, "Belle Epoque", had inspired some:
some came dressed accordingly, ignoring the heat!
THE BELLE EPOQUE WALKWAY
For several years, the Société de Développement Pont Development Society has had the idea of rehabilitating the footpaths. In November 2013, historian Rémy Rochat approached the village of Pont and the Société de Développement with a draft educational trail labelled "Belle Époque". Following the paths laid out for guests of the grand hotel, the proposed itinerary features around fifteen panels recounting village life in the early 20th century. Starting from the station, the walk follows the harbour, passes by the church and the Grand Hotel, and ends at the Manoir des Hautes Roches.
With the presence of trustee Christophe Bifrare and two MPs, Carole Dubois and Nicolas Rochat Fernandez, as well as the entire Belle Epoque committee, it was the Société de Développement du Pont's president Hugues Vuilleumier who gave a speech and painstakingly attempted to spray champagne on the newly unveiled plaque. Congratulations to historian Rémy Rochat, who carried out extensive research and wrote the texts. The graphic design was entrusted to Pierre-Abraham Rochat, while the production of the metal or wooden supports, depending on the location, was entrusted to local craftsmen.
This is yet another attraction for our village Le Pont!
Source Carmen Mora, Feuille d'Avis de la Vallée de Joux dated 05.07.2018
The "Belle Epoque" walkway
Source Val TV
The Belle Epoque walkway in the village of Le Pont
The difficult conversion of two jewels of Le Pont
Photo Florian Cella, 24 heures newspaper
Overlooking the Lake de Joux, the Grand Hotel and the Hauteroche manor house are heritage gems, but difficult to renovate
"What appealed to me was the idea of owning a castle once in my lifetime." For Daniel Lehmann, owner of the Hôtel de la Truite au Pont, acquiring the Hauteroche manor house was a dream come true five years ago. Like the Grand Hôtel du Pont, this 26-room villa reminds visitors of the heyday of this village of 450 souls. In the 20th century, the harbour at Le Pont was frequented by English, Russian and French tourists from high society, who stayed at the Grand Hôtel. The establishment made the place famous, sometimes nicknamed the "Montreux of the Jura" or even the "little Davos".
French press magnate Maurice Bunau-Varilla even decided to settle in the village, in the foothills of Dent-de-Vaulion. In 1912, he built the Hauteroche manor house,
one of the first buildings in the country to be constructed using reinforced concrete. The wealthy owner of the French newspaper Le Matin commissioned French engineer François Hennebique to
design this imposing residence, which is now part of the landscape of the Joux Valley. Upon the death of its owner in 1944, the manor house reverted to the French state. It was then converted
into a leisure centre and a reception centre for asylum seekers before being bought by Auberges de Familles in 1985. An association was created in 2000 to preserve this vestige of the past.
Today, the building stands desperately empty, like its glorious neighbour, the Grand Hôtel.
Everyone has their own idea
But renovating these buildings – which may seem oversized in this region – is proving complicated. "They're not too big," says Gabriel Gay, the Abbey's property manager. "We just need to find a good use for them, which is no easy task."
In the valley, everyone has their own idea. "We would prefer to see them occupied, that's for sure", explains Cédric Paillard, director of the Tourist Office, speaking on a personal level. "Especially the Grand Hôtel. Here, we have very little information about its future, even though everyone is attached to it."
The Buildings, Heritage and Logistics Service (SIPAL) must be consulted for this work, which takes time. This is particularly because the architectural survey notes
that the manor house is a monument of national importance, while the hotel is of regional importance. "Nothing could be done in the manor house because of unimaginable administrative
complications on the part of the canton", comments Daniel Lehmann, who does not wish to say more about his project. "In this case, we must first legalise the Hauteroche site and its
surroundings", explains the mayor. "The building survey also involved modifications to the renovation project to satisfy the state services, which I admit were a little complicated."
Outside the building zone
So there are no excavators on the horizon, and the situation is likely to continue. "These two buildings are located outside the building zone", points out Ulrich Doepper, architect at SIPAL. "The manor house could become a summer residence, and the Grand Hotel could be converted into apartments, ensuring that its characteristics are not altered." The hotel has already been converted once, into a clinic for Dr Bircher. Then, in 2012, it was bought by Isidor Elsig, from the Valais-based property management company Galantica, who fell in love with the building. He wants to convert it into around 30 apartments, with perhaps a luxury watch repair workshop.
"We have to wait for the right moment to start work, there's no rush", he explains, pointing to the isolated location of the valley. "Until recently, travelling 30 km by car every day seemed prohibitive. Today, for young people, it's normal. Everything changes, you have to wait for the right moment to act." The plans are currently being drawn up.
So far, no steps have been taken with the municipality for this establishment. "It could become a burden because it is not currently possible to build residential apartments there", says Gabriel Gay. As with the manor house, the land would have to be in a building zone. "But the municipality has too much land available for building and would have to rezone an equivalent area, according to the law on land use planning and the cantonal master plan. However, all the land available for building is privately owned", adds Doepper, who would like to see a private school there, for example a hotel school.
In the meantime, the buildings are empty and unheated, and are falling into disrepair. "The frost has partially damaged the hotel", warns Ulrich Doepper. "A
building must be inhabited to last."
Source Céline Duruz, 24 heures newspaper dated 30.01.2015
A trail immerses walkers in the Belle Epoque of Le Pont
Photo 24 heures newspaper
Panels recounting the history of Le Pont since 1900 will mark a romantic stroll along the harbour this summer
To better understand the history of the village of Le Pont, follow the lady with the parasol. Her elegant silhouette stands out against the arrows that will point the way this summer to the Belle Epoque walk organised by the local development society. For now, only two richly illustrated panels installed on an esplanade give an example of what awaits onlookers along this half-dozen kilometre route. It will take them from the station to the foot of the Dent-de-Vaulion, passing by the lime tree planted in front of the La Truite restaurant and the old cinema.
At each stop, visitors will learn a little more about this village at the beginning of the 20th century, from its cheese-making past to the works of painter Tell Rochat, not to mention its architecture. "Le Pont developed in two completely different ways", comments historian Rémy Rochat. "There is the fronton, facing Lake Joux, which has changed over time, and the small streets at the back, which remained more agricultural for a long time."
Two examples
The first two boards in the series of fifteen were installed last autumn. One of them reminds us that the current toy library occupies the former cinema in Le Pont, the meeting place of the Fip Fop Club. It was built on the site of the old church. The whole series is richly illustrated by Pierre-Abraham Rochat and archives. "Many of the images come from private collections, miraculously spared by the numerous fires", points out Rémy Rochat.
At the end of 2013, the historian submitted his Belle Epoque walking tour project to the Société de développement du Pont (SDP). They immediately agreed to help
him. "Others had had the same idea but had not been able to bring it to fruition", says Christophe Bonny, president of the SDP. The fundraising campaign began to collect the nearly 55,000 francs
needed to make it happen. The village, the municipality, the Paul-Edouard Piguet Foundation and the Loterie Romande, among others, agreed to contribute.
A glorious past
For the time being, the information is only available in French. It will then be translated into German, English and Italian, and can be read using a QR code on the signs. "This information is not just for tourists", emphasises Rémy Rochat. "The local population is also interested and can learn a lot about their past." In the 20th century, Le Pont was known far and wide. The second part of this romantic walk, which is not yet signposted, will take walkers to the Grand Hotel, the Manoir des Hautes Roches, and the foot of the path leading to the Dent-de-Vaulion, following in the footsteps of this glorious past.
"English, Russian and Italian high society figures came to recharge their batteries at the Grand Hotel. The year 1905 was a record-breaking year", says Rémy Rochat. "It was the heyday of winter sports." The establishment had its own ice rink, tennis courts and even a golf course. "The First World War was a complete break", concludes the historian. "The Alps managed to get back on track thanks to ski lifts, but the Jura did not."
However, it will be another two years before it will be possible to use the footpaths created at the time for guests of the prestigious hotel. "If all goes well,
the entire route will be marked out in 2017", concludes Christophe Bonny.
Source Céline Duruz, 24 heures newspaper dated 15.01.2015
