Day 72/73 Wednesday/Thursday 15/16 July 2026
We had an interesting and picturesque drive from Basel to St.Blaise.
The gps seems to come up with a different routes every time and I chose the one that came over the Col de Chasseral (1502 alt.) The 117km it took us nearly 3 hours! The tower further on is the highest point in the north Swiss Juras. It is barren and can be seen from dozens of miles away.
Unfortunately due to the stormy weather it was a touch hazy for the great views of the lakes far below, as well as the distant Alps.
Unfortunately with only 2 weeks to go, we said our farewells later in the afternoon.
Then we drove 58km along a new route out of Switzerland and back into France…
to La Cluse et Mijoux where we found a spot in the Chateau de Joux parking area.
It was constructed from the 10th century, as a fortress and the residence of the Sires of Joux. It occupied a hill dominating the gorge traversed by the Pontarlier road towards Switzerland. The Duke of Burgundy Philippe le Bon bought it in 1454 but the castle was besieged in 1475 by the French under Louis XI. In the 16th century, it was renovated and modernised by the Swiss and the German sovereigns. Besieged four times in the course of the 17th century and taken by the French in 1674. Vauban further fortified the castle in 1690. With more works being undertaken during the 1880’s. Now it is classed as a historical monument and open to visit. It was closed when we arrived,and the other one (fort du Malher ) on a neighbouring cliff has been abandoned.
