The Fens in Franches-Montagnes

10 December 2021

The Parc Du Doubs in the Franches-Montagnes (canton of Jura) is known for its many streams, rivers, and fens, a heritage of the last ice age and melting water approximately 10,000 years ago.

The fens of Les Royes and Gruère are the best-known and largest. One smaller fen is l’étang de Bollement. The surface area is approximately 1 ha; the nature reserve covers 7.5 ha.

The fauna in the immediate vicinity shows remarkable diversity. The presence of flowing water from the stream, stagnant water from the fen, and peat soil is the origin of this rich biodiversity.

The mills and sawmills also played an essential economic role in Bollement from the 16th to the 20th century.  This was also the case for the fens of Des Royes and Gruère.

It is hard to imagine today that such quiet, beautiful natural areas were still bustling with economic activity a century ago. It also shows how quickly nature can recover.

(Source: www.parcdoubs.ch).