Reclere Caves

The Reclere caves were found in 1886 and opened to visitors soon after, and their signature is Le Dome, a stalagmite standing over fifteen metres - among the largest in Europe and the thing the tour is built around. The route drops through several chambers on stairs with concretions, curtains and pools. Above ground the site runs a prehistoric park: life-size reconstructions of dinosaurs along a woodland trail, which is aimed squarely at families and has nothing to do with the cave geology, though the Jura region does have genuine dinosaur trackways elsewhere. The Ajoie corner of Switzerland here pushes into France, and the border is a short walk away.

What's there

• A stalagmite over fifteen metres - Le Dome, among Europe's largest.
• A cave found in 1886 - the chambers on the original visitor route.
• A dinosaur trail outside - life-size models on a woodland path.
• The Ajoie salient - Swiss territory reaching into France.

When to go

April to October. Half a day with the park.

What to expect

Cave visits are guided only, at set times, mostly in French. The dinosaur park is a family attraction, not palaeontology - it does not connect to the caves. It is cool underground. Reclere is a long way from anywhere by Swiss standards.

Nearby

Porrentruy and its castle are east; the French border is minutes away.