Two genuinely turquoise lakes deep in the Jura hills, a 60-metre waterfall hike between them, and a Comté-and-vin-jaune splurge to close it out — a proper extended weekend that pushes the Model Y's real-world range to its limit with one Supercharger stop each way.
Lac de Chalain and Lac de Vouglans are the two showpieces of the Jura's "Pays des Lacs" — Chalain a glacial lake ringed by forested cliffs with genuinely clear turquoise-green water, Vouglans an artificial reservoir (France's third-largest) whose flooded limestone valley gives it an almost Caribbean color on a sunny day. They sit about 30 km apart, both with real swimming beaches, paddle and kayak rental, and free lake access. In between, the Cascades du Hérisson string seven waterfalls — some over 60 m — along a single forested gorge. It's the kind of scenery that normally means the Alps or the south, reached instead by a long but straightforward autoroute drive with one clean overnight charging stop each direction.
Sources: Jura Tourisme — Lac de Chalain, Jura Tourisme — Lac de Vouglans, Wikipedia — Lac de Chalain
Paris to Lons-le-Saunier (the gateway town, ~30 km from Chalain) is a well-documented 411 km / ~3h55 via A6 (towards Lyon) then A39 (towards Dole/Bourg-en-Bresse), exiting near Poligny or Arlay. From Meudon-la-Forêt add a few km, giving ~415–420 km one-way — comfortably over the Model Y Premium's realistic ~330–370 km range, so one Supercharger stop each way is mandatory, not optional.
Sources: Tesla — Aire du Jura Supercharger, KelBillet — Paris–Lons-le-Saunier route, Meilleure Charge — Supercharger pricing 2026
Leave early (or Friday night if doing a true extended weekend) and drive straight down the A6/A39, charging at Aire du Jura (Arlay) about 30–35 km out. Arrive at Lac de Chalain by early-to-mid afternoon. Swim at either Doucier beach (D27 side — lifeguard post, ~700 shaded parking spaces, dog zone) or the Domaine de Chalain beach (D39E side — supervised south beach in July/August). 2025 high-season parking: €5/vehicle at Doucier, €8/vehicle at Domaine. Rent a paddle (~€6–10/hour) or a 2-person pedalo (~€8–13 per 30–60 min) if you want to get out on the water.
Sources: Jura Tourisme — Lac de Chalain, park4night — Aire de Surchauffant, park4night — Maisod, Camping-Car Guide — Domaine de Chalain aire
Morning hike up the Cascades du Hérisson, between Doucier, Ilay and Bonlieu — a well-marked ~7.4 km round trip past seven waterfalls, some over 60 m, following the Hérisson torrent through a forested gorge. The main car park is paid (ticket also covers the small Maison des Cascades exhibit); there's a free car park up top at the Hameau d'Ilay in Chaux-du-Dombief if you approach from that end. Afternoon: drive ~30 km south to Lac de Vouglans, France's third-largest artificial lake and genuinely turquoise on a clear day. Lake access and parking are free at all three main beaches — Mercantine, Bellecin, and Surchauffant — with swimming, sailing, kayak/paddle rental, and cycling/hiking trails around the shoreline.
Splurge meal: Comté and vin jaune, the two Jura specialties, done properly — Auberge de Chavannes in Lons-le-Saunier serves Bresse poularde with a Comté-and-vin-jaune sauce for around €42, or for something simpler, Le 14 in Lons-le-Saunier does a Comté-based aligot around €29. A fruitière (Comté cooperative) cave-and-tasting visit, e.g. near Plasne/Château-Chalon, is a cheaper alternative if you'd rather picnic than sit down.
Sources: Jura Tourisme — Cascades du Hérisson, Jura Tourisme — Lac de Vouglans, Le 14, Lons-le-Saunier — menu, Auberge de Chavannes — menu
Easy last morning: a swim, a bike loop along the Vouglans shoreline, or a lazy lakeside breakfast before the long drive back. Charge again at Aire du Jura (Arlay) before rejoining the A39/A6 north. Aim to leave by early-to-mid afternoon to be home comfortably by evening.
Both lakes have marked cycling routes — a shoreline loop around Vouglans (rolling, some real climbs given the reservoir's flooded-valley terrain) and quieter forest tracks around Chalain. Bike loaded inside per the Car Camping & Bike Guide — no range penalty from a roof or hitch rack on the long autoroute stretches, which matters a lot on a trip this close to the car's real-world range limit.
| Category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tolls (A6/A39, round trip — Paris–Dijon alone is ≈€22 one-way, Jura runs a bit further) | ≈ €55–65 |
| Charging (2 Supercharger stops, Aire du Jura, round trip) | ≈ €30–40 |
| Lodging (2–3 nights, mostly free/cheap aires: Surchauffant free, Maisod €6/night) | €0–18 |
| Beach parking (Chalain, both days) | ≈ €10–16 |
| Paddle/pedalo rental (one session) | ≈ €10–15 |
| Cascades du Hérisson parking + Maison des Cascades | ≈ €5–8 |
| Splurge meal (Comté & vin jaune) | ≈ €30–42 |
| Food, self-cooked (remaining meals) | ≈ €25–30 |
| Total | €150–190 |