Walk & talk
The Risoud Passeurs: refugees and resistance fighters during WW II
A splendid moment out of time in the Risoud forest (Vallée de Joux, Jura)
Join us for a moment out of time. The Risoud Forest is full of mystery and magic; to the west of the Vallée de Joux, straddling a thousand-year-old (now French-Swiss) border, this wild region witnessed daring and discreet passages during World War II. We'll meet actors and visit places of these events during this fascinating hike
Members of the intelligence services, the resistance and hundreds of refugees persecuted by the Nazi regime crossed this border clandestinely. These fleeing women, men and children were helped by colorful characters living on both sides of the border. They worked together to help without distinction of race or religion, and to allow the exchange of information essential to the fight against the Nazi terror.
This beautiful hike through a preserved natural environment is an invitation to meet history of this region and get to know the women and men who risked their lives on steep and snowy paths. Under fire from German soldiers while fleeing from Swiss customs officers, they saved hundreds of people and wrote some beautiful pages in the history of a courageous and united humanity.
Together, we will walk in their footsteps to discover the secret passages they used and the places where they met or hided, such as "La Gare du Nord" or the "Rendez-vous des sages". Like the fugitives of the time, we will "gamb" the border wall and try to decipher its thousand-year-old history suggested by the border markers engraved with dates and coats of arms more than 500 years old, and thus evoke the history of Europe, France and Switzerland.
We will introduce you to personalities such as Victoria Cordier who, thanks to their extraordinary history and courage, will give a unique character to this trip inspired by their actions.
A large place will be given to the magnificent natural environment in which we will evolve, and to the signs wild life. The beautiful Risoud forest is the largest in one piece in Europe and a supplier of wood for violin makers all over the world. It is home to the Lynx or the Wolf, predators of the Deer, Chamois and Roe Deer that can be found there in large numbers. The Capercaillie finds a precarious refuge there, not to mention the Woodpeckers, Owls and other Toats or Squirrels.
Details of the hike and program
Start: 9:30 am at the indicated meeting point
End: around 5pm, depending on the route
Lunch: A picnic or an award-winning cheese fondue can be served for lunch at one of the passeurs' meeting points, with biodynamic wine and fresh espresso coffee prepared in a Mocca. Please mention your preference in your reservation
eBike friendly
Contact us for a custom trip. The hike can take place over 2 days with an overnight stay in the house of one of the passeurs we will talk about. We can also organize a visit to a watchmaking company in the Vallée de Joux and talk about the watchmaking history of the region.
Gear list
Rainproof backpack (approx. 25 liters)
Personal belongings and medication, telephone
Tick repellent
(High) hiking shoes with profiled / Vibram soles
Warm hiking clothes, at least:
1st technical layer, e.g. wool (avoid cotton), also for legs in case of low temperatures or wind
2nd warm layer with fleece jacket plus down (puff) jacket
Long pants and hiking jacket
If not waterproof: provide additional protection against rain. Evt. umbrella
Sunglasses, sun cream, hat, possibly a pair of light gloves
1 liter of water minimum, 2 liters maximum, possibly a thermos
Snacks, dried fruit, etc.
Walking sticks, camera, binoculars (recommended)
Pricing and Booking
You can place a booking request to obain a quote that we will confirm after having contacted you to finalise all details. Contact us for special arrangements
Special arrangement examples:
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Lodging / meeting room booking
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Organisation of outdoor workshops
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Catering on the way, picnics, for example cheese fondue, tea, biodynamic wine from Domaine de la Colombe à Féchy, Italian espresso coffee, etc.
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Wine tasting events
We offer VIP minibus transfer to the event's starting point.
Payment terms: 50% upfront, 50% after the event. 100% of the fees are due in case of cancellation 15 days before the beginning of the tour, and 50% for 30 days
Services included
Guiding services by a professional Mountain leader with Swiss federal diploma
Guide tea and snacks / cake
Presentation of the Passeurs theme during the hike
Explanations about the region, its nature and landscape
Explanation and discovery of the border markers and their coats of arms, with a card game
Observations of fauna, flora, geology. We will discuss various aspects related to the forest and its trees, its role in biodiversity and our relationship with it
Poles as per available stock
Not included
Public transportation
Picnic
What participants say about this experience
I loved the hike "In the footsteps of the 39-45 smugglers"! For someone who isn't a great fan of walking, I found the route quite accessible and enjoyable. The guide's explanations of the historical context were fascinating, and I'll remember the fondue at the "Rendez-vous des sages" for a long time to come. A must for anyone who loves walking and history.
Hendrik vD
"Pourquoi aurais-je besoin d'un Accompagnateur en Montagne ? me suis-je demandé. "Je fais de la randonnée depuis mon enfance, je suis en forme et je connais tout. Je n'ai donc pas besoin d'un accompagnateur en montagne !, me suis-je dit. Et puis j'ai eu la chance de vivre une randonnée avec Peak2Peace et mon monde a changé.
Boudewijn vous emmène dans un tout nouveau voyage à travers les montagnes et la nature. Il vous fait tout voir sous un nouvel angle, il partage des histoires et des informations sur la vie sauvage, la géologie, la nature et l'histoire.
Grâce à lui, j'ai découvert une approche nouvelle et différente de la randonnée et j'ai appris de nouvelles choses et de nombreux petits secrets.
Aujourd'hui, je sors le plus souvent possible avec Boudewijn comme accompagnateur en montagne, car il m'emmène à chaque fois dans un voyage incroyable, immersif et nouveau, en toute sécurité.
Mari
My 15-year-old son and I were lucky enough to discover the Risoud forest with Boudewijn, with its flora, fauna, geology and magnificent landscapes, but above all its long history as a cross-border region and in particular the very difficult period of the Nazi occupation in 1940-44. Boudewijn was a perfect guide who, through his speeches, his in-depth research and the many visual aids he had prepared, was able to fascinate us and introduce us to people who behaved heroically and other players in this part of history that everyone should know about. We were 'immersed' and it was a very moving experience to share with all the participants in this highly original walk. And the superb cheese fondue we shared in the middle of nature was a much-appreciated extra. I can't recommend this wonderful experience highly enough.
Arnaud T.
Dear Boudewijn, thank you very much for the good and informative tour. The stories about absinthe and the refugees of the 2nd World War in the Risoud forest were fascinating and took us back in time. And let's not forget the fine fondue at the end.
Gigi
You'll get immeasurably more from any trek if you seek out local guide and qualified mountain leader, Boudewijn van Doorn of Peak2Peace.
His passion and knowledge about the area's geology, terrain, environment and wildlife make him an essential for any mountain-escapade at any time of year.
In: https://www.weather2travel.com/blog/make-the-most-of-switzerland-winter/
Kirsten Henton