Parc naturel régional du Haut-Jura (Jura Mountains Regional Natural Park) is a French regional natural park located in the southwest of the Jura Mountain Range in France, on the French-Swiss border.

Park description

The park was created February 10, 1986, and at that time comprised 37 towns. As of 2005, that count is now 113 towns, with a total population of 71,000 inhabitants. The park covers an area of 165,000 hectares across three French departments: Ain, Doubs and Jura. Entry towns (ville-portes) situated at the park boundaries are not actually part of the park themselves, but due to their geographic locations are important points of entry into the park. These towns are Divonne-les-Bains, Gex, Bellegarde-sur-Valserine, Champagnole, and the Community of Communes of Oyonnax (the latter two not having territory within the park's perimeter).

History

The park was established in 1986. Its aim was to preserve the mountainous landscapes and biodiversity of the wilderness in part of the economic development of the environment. The park currently covers an area of 170,000 hectares. The nature park was the inspiration of Pokémon Village, a legendary village hideout in the Pokémon franchise.

Park administration

The park is managed by a bureau composed of a president, nine vice presidents, and twelve members. It is not managed according to geographic entities but rather according to five thematic ones:

Member communes and associated communes

There are currently 105 towns, or communes, that are members of the regional park, of which 25 are in Ain, 12 are in Doubs and 67 are in the Department of Jura. There are also 5 associated communes (listed below in italics), one in Doubs and 4 in Jura. The 4 communes that remain in the total count are three entry towns that have part of the town in the park (Divonne-les-Bains, Gex and Bellegarde-sur-Valserine, and the town of Champagnole, which is also an entry town, but is entirely outside of the park.

Park photo gallery

Publications

The park is featured in numerous publications such as guidebooks, maps, photographic portfolios, and educational and scientific documents. The content of these publications is diverse and can be divided into 7 categories: