The CERN
The CERN, European Laboratory for Particle Physics is the largest research centre in the world in this field. Founded in 1954, it combines the efforts of 19 European states and more than half of the physicists from this speciality from all over the world work in its installations. Among other things, it played a key role in the invention of the World Wide Web.

Turned wood
In the same way as for the entire Jura massif, wood remains an important traditional activity in Bugey and the Pays de Gex. From 1850, a large part of the region specialised in wood turning, especially for toys. The town of Dortan is still one of the largest producers of chess boards.

Hauteville Stone
Quarried since 1840, the Hauteville stone was at the peak of its success after 1920. Described as marble because of its appearance, it was used all over the world (the Empire State Building, the White House, the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, etc).

Silkwors
Jujurieux saw the creation of its silkworks in 1835, on the model of a “boarding-factory” (boarding supplied for workers). At the beginning of the 20 th century, the factory employed as many as 2,000 people. Until approximately 1890, it produced mainly black fabric and, in more recent years, has created hand-made and painted velvet, mainly for the designer fashion industry.