Château de Joux at the Jura's edge

These were pictures taken last summer at the Château de Joux, a fortified Vauban-designed (renovated) military castle at the edge of the Jura mountains near the Swiss border in the Franche-Comte region of France. It was supposedly be an impenetrable castle dated from middle age because of its position but nevertheless, taken it was. Incidently, Joux means "Jura" in French (regional).

 A drawbridge, designed to be totally renewable (it can be burnt down when enemy approaches) greets the visitors at its entrance.

 View of the Jura mountains from one of its sentry tower...

 The valley below (France)

 A royal decree.

Precariously sitting between the clifts on a mountain pass between France and Switzerland...