Saint-Claude is a commune and a sous-préfecture of the Jura department in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region in eastern France. It lies on the river Bienne. The town was originally named Saint-Oyand after Saint Eugendus. However, when St. Claudius had, in 690, resigned his Diocese of Besançon and died in 696 as twelfth abbot, the number of pilgrims who visited his grave was so great that, since the 13th century, the name "Saint-Claude" came more and more into use and has today superseded the other. It was the world capital of wooden smoking pipes crafted by hand from the mid 19th century to the mid 20th century. During WWII the town came under German occupation, yet still remained a haven for Jews escaping to Switzerland due to its proximity to it. As a punishment to the locals for consistently assisting and harbouring the fleeing Jews, the Nazis executed all of the town’s males of service age in the town centre. There is a memorial plaque in the city square commemorating the event. Today, there are several farms and ranches surrounding the town that produce many world famous brands of dairy, beef, and poultry.
Country: France
Region: Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
Area: 70.19 km² (27.10 sq mi)
Elevation: 360–1,222 m (1,181–4,009 ft) · (avg. 441 m or 1,447 ft)
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