The Forges de Syam, which are classed as an historic monument, are a proud representative of this metalworking tradition.

A less obvious connection with the river lies in the aluminium foundry-work done at Champagnole but a speciality in this field usually goes with a supply of relatively cheap, hydroelectricity, a product of the Ain since the early 20th century.

There are also printing works, plastic injection moulding factories, micro-mechanical workshops and optical laboratories producing spectacles.

Its food specialities are charcuterie or pork butchery, represented by fumé du Jura (smoked Jura ham); Comté (a cow’s milk cheese) or goat cheese, other milk products and honey (from spruce and from flowers).

Another consideration is the fact that Champagnole is so to speak, just over the hill from La Tène, the centre of late Iron Age culture.