Hotels in Les Bois
Les Bois is a village of the Franches-Montagnes, in the Swiss canton of Jura, on the plateau above La Chaux-de-Fonds, and in winter it is cross-country country, not a downhill resort: there is no ski area here, only long nordic trails across open pastures and spruce woods. Hôtel Golf-Club Les Bois is the one hotel listed in the village, rated 9.1 from 114 reviews: nine rooms in a building opened in 2017 beside an 18-hole golf course, with a restaurant in a renovated old farmhouse and free parking. The Grande Boucle, a 42 km loop that starts at Les Breuleux, the nordic centre of the region, passes through Les Bois, Le Noirmont and Saignelégier, so you can join it close to the hotel. The insider move is the classic traverse of the plateau, from Pré-Petitjean through Montfaucon, Saignelégier, Le Noirmont and Les Bois to La Ferrière, skied in one-way stages and linked by the Chemins de fer du Jura line that runs from La Chaux-de-Fonds through Les Bois to Saignelégier. The trap is snow: the plateau trails depend on natural snowfall, so read the trail report before setting off. I would come here for nordic skiing and quiet; for lifts, look elsewhere.
Les Bois suits cross-country skiers who want long trails across the Franches-Montagnes plateau and a quiet hotel, not a ski resort. The village, in the Swiss canton of Jura above La Chaux-de-Fonds, sits on the 42 km Grande Boucle from Les Breuleux and on the classic traverse of the plateau towards La Ferrière. Hôtel Golf-Club Les Bois, next to the golf course, is the place to sleep, and there are no lifts anywhere in the village.
Les Bois in numbers
What to expect
- Hôtel Golf-Club Les Bois: nine rooms beside an 18-hole golf course, restaurant in an old farmhouse
- On the 42 km Grande Boucle, which starts at Les Breuleux
- Classic traverse of the plateau from Pré-Petitjean to La Ferrière through Les Bois
- Chemins de fer du Jura line from La Chaux-de-Fonds through Les Bois to Saignelégier
Local tips
- ✓Ski the plateau traverse one way, from Saignelégier or Le Noirmont back to Les Bois, and use the Chemins de fer du Jura line to return to your car or the start.
- ✓Join the Grande Boucle near the village rather than driving to Les Breuleux: the 42 km loop passes through Les Bois, so you can ski a section and come back the same way.
- ✓Look at the trail report before you go: the Franches-Montagnes trails depend on natural snow, and a mild spell can close them within days.
- ✓Book dinner at the hotel restaurant: in a small village it is the obvious place to eat after a day on the trails, set in a renovated old farmhouse.
Where to stay
Frequently asked questions
Can you ski in Les Bois?
Yes, but cross-country only. Les Bois has no lifts or downhill slopes; it lies on the Grande Boucle, a 42 km nordic loop from Les Breuleux, and on the classic traverse of the Franches-Montagnes plateau that ends at La Ferrière.
Is Les Bois in France or Switzerland?
Les Bois is in Switzerland, in the canton of Jura, in the Franches-Montagnes district above La Chaux-de-Fonds. The French border on the Doubs is close, which explains the confusion, but the village, its trails and its hotel are Swiss.
How do I get to Les Bois without a car?
The Chemins de fer du Jura line from La Chaux-de-Fonds to Saignelégier runs through Les Bois, and La Chaux-de-Fonds is on the Swiss main rail network. Check the CJ timetable for the stop that serves the village before you travel.
Where should I stay in Les Bois?
The one hotel listed here is Hôtel Golf-Club Les Bois, rated 9.1 from 114 reviews: nine rooms opened in 2017 beside an 18-hole golf course, with a restaurant in an old farmhouse and free parking. It is quiet and practical for nordic skiers with a car.