The new commune of Coteaux du Lizon is located in the Jura department, in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, 11 km northwest of Saint-Claude, by road. It was born from the merger in 2017 of the town of Saint-Lupicin, in the center, which then had around 2,000 inhabitants, and the village of Cuttura, to the north-east (around 300 inhabitants).
The territory of Coteaux du Lizon, vast 15 km², culminates at an altitude of more than 900 m, cut by the narrow but deep valley of the Lizon, surrounded by summits of the upper Jura.
The town of Saint-Lupicin appeared in the 5th century, then called Lauconne, when Saint Lupicin and his brother Romain founded a monastery there. Other priories followed, neighboring a church from the 11th century which remains a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture. Nowadays, in addition to its heritage, the city is renowned for its plastics processing unit which makes it one of the centers of the "Plastic Valley".
As for Cuttura, also born around a priory, the village with its amphitheater-shaped territory was long dedicated to agriculture and the production of cheese. It also highlights its environment (body of water on the Lizeron).
The Coteaux du Lizon (2,200 inhabitants) therefore deserve a stop during a stay in the region, because of their heritage, their cultural vitality and their offer of natural leisure activities (forests and hilly terrain).
The Notre-Dame de Saint-Lupicin church, in the eponymous village, is the jewel of the town in terms of heritage. The current building dates from the 11th century, but part of the facade is inherited from the earlier church (from the Merovingian period). The whole, in Romanesque style, is particularly relevant for the dome built at the crossing of the transept, which adds to the exceptional character of the site. Another singularity is the portal framed by monolithic columns of Gallo-Roman origin topped with a checkerboard decoration.
The bell tower (which is served by a staircase) and the vaults of the transept date back to the 12th century.
Numerous alterations and restorations have taken place over time, as well as excavations which have uncovered the Merovingian sanctuary and the funerary monument of Saint Lupicin (a transparent floor allows the visitor to observe the archaeological surveys carried out).
Work in 2006 made it possible to restore the differentiated roof between the nave and the aisles, as originally, whereas in the 18th and 19th centuries, the same roof covered the whole. Likewise, the arms of the transept are covered with a two-level roof.
We note that the church is adjoined by a 15th century priory transformed into a school after the Revolution and nowadays a private residence.
The building is obviously protected as a historic monument, with little or no sculpted ornament on the exterior, but on the other hand houses a number of classified works and objects. If a copy of the gospel from the Merovingian period rediscovered in the 17th century is now kept at the National Library in Paris, reliquaries, paintings and statues constituting a treasure of prime importance can still be seen. Information for visitors on +33 3 84 42 11 59.
In Cuttura, in addition to a few residences of character, another part of the heritage is in the spotlight: the old turning mill powered by a dam on the river. Pipes and other wooden objects were manufactured there until the 1980s and the site's hydroelectric energy benefited neighboring communities... Information on +33 3 84 42 84 28.
Bridges, wash houses and old fountains with character are also numerous on the territory.
In the town, cultural leisure activities are also in the spotlight. The Epinette performance hall, which can accommodate 400 spectators, offers a rich and varied program (concerts, theater) capable of satisfying the population of the rural town but also of the urban centers of the region. Find out more at +33 3 84 42 11 59. As for the intercommunal media library, it regularly hosts events and exhibitions: contact +33 3 84 42 81 32.
It is also worth mentioning the “Art Bois Terre” Workshop in Cuttura which organizes sculpture and turning workshops and exhibitions for adults and children, thereby perpetuating centuries-old local know-how. Contact +33 3 84 42 12 78.
For sports and leisure, in addition to tennis courts to be reserved with the local club on +33 6 79 42 73 21, the small Cuttura reservoir with its rich biodiversity surroundings is accessible. and its sites dedicated to fishermen, and in this village again, walks including for example a peat bog classified Natura 2000 and views of the valley or the plateau.
Note also that the GR 5 route (which connects Rotterdam to Nice) crosses the territory of the municipality.
One of the must-sees in the locality in terms of hiking finally reveals itself as the path leading to the Scia belvedere, to the southwest of the town (i.e. 8 km round trip): at an altitude of 800 m, you can enjoy it a superb panorama of the Haut-Jura range. The belvedere is equipped with an orientation table and a picnic area. If necessary, the site is also accessible by car.
Maps and information for hikers (walkers or mountain bikers, on the and which programs thematic hikes, workshops, exhibitions all year round: call +33 3 84 34 12 30.
All that remains is to take a few gourmet breaks in the town. Producers are happy to welcome you to the “Barbiche & Pampille” goat farm (information on +33 6 82 92 45 39), at the Danse des Abeilles (beekeeper, contact +33 6 30 24 17 72), or at the Herberie Millefeuilles (contact on +33 3 84 42 51 86).
On March 20 or 21, spring festival with schoolchildren's parade and activities in the center of the town.
The second Saturday in June, dam festival at the Cuttura lake with soap box race.
The second weekend of September, Saint-Lupicin patronal festival with musical, gourmet entertainment and fireworks.
Concert - Profs en Scène
- On 18 may 2024
- 2 Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, L'Épinette
- On Saturday 18 May at 8.30pm, teachers from the Haut-Jura Saint-Claude Conservatoire will be giving an exceptional concert at the Salle de l'Épinette in Saint-Lupicin ! - The programme includes works by Jean-Sébastien Bach, Joseph Bodin de Boismortier, Camille Saint-Saëns, Jacques Offenbach, Manuel De Falla, Georges Bizet, Mieczlaw Weinberg, Claude Bolling, Dizzy Gillespie and Thad Jones. - Free admission, information on 03 84 45 10 01
Médiathèque de Saint-Lupicin
- On 28 may 2024
- 1 Grande Rue, Médiathèque
- Saint-Lupicin multimedia library : Reading on the Plateau - Tuesday 28 May at 4.30pm - Would you like to share your enthusiasm for a book you've read ? Find new ideas for reading ? Come and have a friendly chat with the other members of the book club. - Open to all
Festival de Musique du Haut-Jura - Concert : Bach au Marimba
- On 2 june 2024
- Rue Touget de Lisle, Salle de l'Epinette
- Festival de Musique du Haut-Jura - Concert : Bach on the Marimba - Sunday 2 June at 6pm, at the media library in Saint-Claude - After ten years of touring and a first CD dedicated to the music of Jean-Sébastien BACH, the Trio SR9 continues to explore this vast repertoire. In this latest instalment, they rediscover works for keyboard, with the Sonata No. 3 in D minor and the Concerto in A minor for organ, as well as works for violin, with the Partita No. 3 in E Major, and excerpts from the Well-Tempered Clavier, performed on percussion keyboards. With their marimbas and vibraphone, the Trio SR9 appropriates the essence of Bach's music to convey a new energy and reading. Through transcriptions by Rachmaninov, Schumann, Bach himself and the SR9 Trio, this programme highlights the rhythmic and percussive character of his music, while blending a bewitching and poetic universe. It reveals even more of the richness of the percussion keyboards and the Cantor's timeless writing. - With : Paul Changarnier - Nicolas Cousin - Alexandre Esperet : Marimbas, vibraphone and double bass marimbas blades
Lauconne en Scène - La Machine de Pandore, Spectacle Théâtral Historique son et Lumière
- From 5 to 13 july 2024
- En extérieur, derrière l'église de Saint-Lupicin., Place de l'église
- Lauconne en scène - La Machine de Pandore, historical theatrical light and sound show - 5,6, 7,11,12 and 13 July, 9.30pm, Outdoors, behind Saint-Lupicin church. - The association Lauconne En Scène, under the artistic direction of Anne-Flore BARLETTA from the Compagnie Ciel de Papier, has been chosen by the Coteaux du Lizon town council to highlight the heritage and history of the village of Saint-Lupicin, formerly known as Lauconne. - With no fewer than 65 actors and extras, including 12 fencers from the Prolé Escrime Saint-Claude club, embark on a journey back in time and marvel at the projections, created by the Ex-Lumina artists' collective, which will illuminate the surrounding monuments, while live music will plunge you into the heart of the action. - This historical show brings to a close the medieval cycle offered by the Haut-Jura Saint-Claude media libraries. In a natural setting enhanced by projections, travel through the centuries, following in the footsteps of Lupicin in the 5th century and in the footsteps of Lacuzon and the Curé Marquis in the 7th century, thanks to two curious young people. - Six performances, lasting from 1h30 to 2h00, will be given outdoors, behind the church of Saint-Lupicin. Whether you're a history buff or just looking for an entertaining evening out, this show is for you ! It's a unique opportunity to discover Saint-Lupicin and its listed church in a whole new light, and to create some unforgettable memories with family and friends. - If the event is cancelled due to bad weather, your ticket will be fully refunded.
