Domaine de Syam

Make like a bird and nest in the treetops at Domaine de Syam – the splendid treehouses here are scattered around ancient woodland, part of an old English-style park surrounding the 19th-century Château de Syam.

The 14-hectare estate is a mighty fine place to spend time, with plenty of space to roam among the trees and look out over the valleys, hills and lakes of the Haut-Jura Regional Natural Park. The Ain river flows alongside, with a private stretch available for fishing or riverside rambles.

Not quite chilled enough yet? Pay a visit to the site’s masseur before settling in for a relaxed evening meal – order ahead and the friendly folks on site will deliver a meal basket to your abode for a fab woodland feast. There’s also a regular table d’hôte dinner where you can share home-cooked dinners and chat to fellow guests over a glass of the local vino.

Wrest yourself from this rural idyll and head out into the locale for all manner of things to do in the Jura mountains – climbing, mountain biking, caving, canyoning and kayaking for the active sorts; boat trips, pottering around Château-Chalon or seeking out the local cheeses for those who fancy something a touch gentler.