A Project to Erase the Franco-Swiss Border
The Passerelles (Bridges) project, jointly developed by the Mont d’Or Joint Authority (France) and the Association for the Development of Northern Vaud (Switzerland), has been selected under the Interreg France-Switzerland 2021–2027 programme, funded by the European Union.
Building bridges between Switzerland and France, as well as between the past and the future, between yesterday’s ski resorts and tomorrow’s mountain destinations: this is how the project envisioned and led by the SMMO and the ADNV since summer 2025 can be defined. It responds to the challenges facing mid-mountain territories, including climate change and evolving consumer behaviours.
Its originality lies in going beyond a simple site-by-site diversification strategy. Instead, it seeks to provide a shared response through a project that transcends national, cultural and geographical borders.
A Major Opportunity for the Shared Development of Northern Vaud and the Haut-Doubs
According to Philippe Alpy, Vice-President of the Doubs Department and President of the SMMO:
“This is a major opportunity for our neighbouring territories of Northern Vaud and the Haut-Doubs. Thanks to this substantial support from Europe, we will be able to develop a shared and ambitious development strategy based on cooperation rather than competition.”
Indeed, the Passerelles project primarily aims to strengthen the attractiveness of the Haut-Doubs and Northern Vaud by promoting and showcasing them as one single destination, focusing on the complementarity rather than the competition of their tourism and leisure offerings.
€7.4 Million in European Funding for the Transformation of Métabief Montagnes du Jura
The project also includes a significant component dedicated to transforming ski resorts into four-season mountain destinations. As the lead partner for the French side, the SMMO has been awarded €7.4 million in ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) support, notably to convert the resort’s main chairlift into a hybrid lift system (“télémix”).
In practical terms, this means adding gondola cabins alongside the existing chairlift seats, creating a hybrid transport system that will expand the range of activities available and attract new visitors throughout the year.
In the same spirit, new recreational, educational and scenic facilities will be developed, along with improved connections between Vallorbe and Métabief, particularly for mountain bikers.
Finally, the third component of the project focuses on networking tourism and leisure stakeholders across the Franco-Swiss Jura Arc, with the objective of fostering shared learning through the experiences of institutions and professionals facing the same challenges and opportunities.
The Passerelles project represents a total investment of €10.171 million. On the French side, the European Union is expected to contribute €7.537 million, including €7.44 million for the Métabief resort and €86,000 for the Haut-Doubs Tourist Office, which is also involved in the project.