In the shadow of Montferrand Castle

Car park at Busy, at the bottom of the Chemin du Moulinot, on the banks of the Doubs.
You’ll be immediately immersed in the atmosphere of the walk with the imposing silhouette of the keep of Montfaucon’s feudal castle, a thousand-year-old sentinel over our beautiful Doubs valley.

Markings: white-red and yellow-blue, with some unmarked sections.

(S/E) Set off to the left (facing the river) along the towpath, skirting the foot of the Raie des Buis cliffs. You will soon catch sight, high up on the hill to your left, of the modest silhouette of Notre-Dame du Mont and, in the distance, the more imposing figure of Thoraise Castle, peeking out above the horizon.

(1) At the lock, cross the small bridge and walk past the derelict site of the old mill. A little further on, when you spot the tip of a small islet through the trees on your right, head down the narrow path towards the bank of the Doubs for a lovely view of the river and Thoraise Castle.

(2) You’ll arrive at the Percée de Thoraise, an 185-metre tunnel that cuts through a circular bend in the Doubs. Walk round the basin via the steps and return to the lock by following the canal.

(1) Climb the hill on the far right along the ascending stony path, lined with ferns and moss-covered rocks. Ignore the paths on your left.

(3) After the fourth bend, almost at the top of the hill, just past a low wall, look out for the path that winds off to the left through a narrow rocky pass – we’ll come back this way later. For now, carry on straight ahead for a round trip (trail route 11 and mountain bike route 21) to the chapel.

(4) The Notre-Dame du Mont viewpoint offers an exceptional view over the Doubs valley and its meanders, the Jura mountains and, in the foreground, the keep of the feudal castle of Montferrand. In the distance, Montfaucon hill. Retrace your steps.

(3) Turn right into this charming little rocky gorge, where the markings disappear. Soon, a small stone marker indicates a fork in the path. Continue down the slope along the edge to the left and you’ll come across a path at right angles (forest sign No. 4).

(5) Head down to the left and, a little further down, take the wider path on your right to reach the hamlet of La Pierre de Vorges, where you’ll already be accompanied by the murmur of the Moulin Caillet stream.

(6) Continue to the left along this lovely stony path until you reach the towpath, which you’ll follow to the right to get back to the car park. A short round trip that you’re sure to enjoy, given just how charming this little corner of the valley is (S/E).

The route includes rocky and slippery paths in places. Sturdy footwear is essential and the use of walking poles is recommended.

(S) The feudal castle of Montferrand: standing 120 metres above the river winding below, it dates back to at least 1230. A dozen families lived there. The lords of Montferrand, who did not reside there, preferred the less austere life of the fine city of Besançon, visiting from time to time to hunt, collect their revenues, and, in times of war, to organise the castle’s defence. The castle’s defence was entrusted to a castellan, two gentlemen and ten men-at-arms; in times of conflict, it was entrusted to peasants tasked with guarding the castle on pain of a fine.

(1) Thoraise Castle: the earliest written records mentioning the castle date from 1273. Gustave Courbet made it the subject of a painting dated 1865, which shows it looking very different from how it appears today. During the 19th century, the castle was renovated in a Neo-Renaissance style, which detracted from its medieval beauty.

(1) Thoraise Lock No. 56 bis: a lock is situated at the point where a canal enters or exits a river; it is normally open but is closed during periods of high water.

(1) The old mill at Thoraise: The mill was first mentioned in 1584. It was destroyed by fire in 1844 and rebuilt in 1845. Acquired in 1850 by Jacques Roland, the mill was extended in 1856. Employing six men in 1883, it was converted into a flour mill in 1886. It was equipped with four double-cylinder mills and five pairs of millstones, all powered by three turbines. Around 1891, fitted with three turbines, it supplied the Monferrand saltworks, situated on the other side of the river, with motive power via a cable.

(2) The Thoraise Cut: the Monsieur Tunnel, known as the Thoraise Cut, is an 185-metre-long structure dating from 1810. It was built to bypass the circular bend in the River Doubs that encircles the village. The entrance is a circular basin that allows barges to turn round.

(4) Notre-Dame du Mont: four chapels were built on this same site. The first was built in 1585 following a vow made by Marguerite Perrenot de Grandvelle, in gratitude for the Virgin Mary’s protection during the invasion and sacking of Besançon by the Huguenots in 1575. In the early 19th century, it fell into disrepair once more and was rebuilt in 1872. It was the destination of numerous pilgrimages.

(4) The Notre-Dame du Mont viewpoint: offers an exceptional view of the Doubs valley and its meanders, the Jura mountains and, in the foreground, the keep of the feudal castle of Montferrand and the hills around Besançon.