Lons-le-Saunier

Lons-le-Saunier, capital of the French department of the Jura, stands in a basin of the Jura Mountains, surrounded with vine-clad hills, 42 miles by rail E. by S. of Châlon-sur-Saône. It was founded in the 4th century, when its salt-springs were discovered; these are still in use for bathing, and salt is manufactured from them. Melons, white wine, and mathematical instruments are produced. Pop. (1872) 10,628; (1891) 12,427. Rouget de Lisle, the author of the Marseillaise, was born here.