Surrounded by summits covered with coniferous trees, the commune of Saint-Claude covers an area of 36.67 km² between 1,181 and 4,009 feet (360 and 1,222 m) of altitude in the heart of the Jura Massif, in Franche-Comté. Implanted 37 miles (60 km) from Geneva in the south-east, 35 miles (57 km) from Lons-le-Saunier in the north-west and 18 miles (30 km) from Oyonnax in the south-west, the city is relatively isolated by its geographical location away from the main lines of communication. Crossed by two main rivers, the Bienne (photo) and the Tacon, it has no less than ten watercourses on its territory.