Arbois (French pronunciation: [aʁbwa]) is a commune in the Jura department, in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, eastern France.
[3] The river Cuisance passes through the town, which centres on an arcaded central square where one can sample the local wines.
The lower slopes consist mainly of meadows surrounded by small hedges for dairy farming, with some vineyards located in the same area.
When the republic was proclaimed at Lyon on 13 April 1834, the town joined the revolt against the government, which promptly sent a small force of grenadiers, cavalry, and a battery of artillery to subdue it.
[11] There is, however, some hidden economic fragility with an aging population, sensitive industries at risk of relocation, a downturn in the diversity of shopping, and an overestimation of the value of property which tends to deter young households.
The Arbois Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) was introduced in 1936 and covers 13 communes on the hills and valley slopes surrounding the town.
[12] One of these, a small village named Pupillin, is particularly known for the quality of its wines, which come from a patchwork of vineyards planted on south-facing, limestone-rich slopes.
Arbois wines are produced from around 2,100 acres (850ha) of vineyards, planted with Chardonnay, Savagnin, Poulsard (or Ploussard as it is known in the commune), Pinot Noir and Trousseau.
It is also mentioned by Jacques Brel in his song Pour mon dernier repas (For my last meal) as well as by Hubert-Félix Thiéfaine in La cancoillotte (The cream cheese).
In 1285 the Count of Chiny used to offer it to his guests during the Chauvency Tournament according to the troubadour Jacques Bretel who drank it in the company of Henri de Briey.