Aubonne walks

A pleasant and refreshing short walk leading to the source of the Loue, with several viewpoints along the way.

This short route, which starts off challenging with the climb up Petit Mont, offers a glimpse of the beauty of this valley so dear to Gustave Courbet: its high rocks glistening in the sun, its lost valleys with their gentle green curves, its cool, mossy gorges with deep caves, and the emerald and mysterious Loue river. And to conclude, this small village in the Comté region with its character and medieval statues.

The Loue Spring (tributary of the Doubs) is a resurgence of the Doubs. After journeying underground, it comes out into the open air at the bottom of a 'reculée' (steephead valley), at the foot of the rock face. It has cut deep into the limestone of the Jura massif, creating an enclosed valley, which I invite you to gaze at and contemplate from the many lookout points. You will also go down to the bottom of the gorge to discover this impressive resurgence.

Visit the picturesque village of Mouthier and hike along the Loue river in pleasant surroundings.

You will descend towards this regional tourist hotspot, one of the Doubs' major natural sites: the Source de la Loue. You will overlook the sumptuous and wild Gorges de Nouailles from the side of the cliff, then climb up a steep path to the Aiguillon de Brasse viewpoint. Finally, you will return to Ouhans through peaceful meadows and bright pine forests, stopping for a few moments at the Notre-Dame des Anges chapel to thank the heavens for being a resident of Franche-Comté

Climb Mont Pelé (1,045 m) through an open pine forest. At the summit, you will enjoy a 360° view. To the west, view Bugny and the Val des Usiers, the upper Jura mountain range. To the east, view of Crêt Monniot and, with a little luck, Mont Blanc will be visible on a clear day. To the north, above all, view of the magnificent upper Loue valley bordered by the cliffs of Moine de la Vallée and Roche de Hautepierre. Return via a superb rocky ridge with numerous viewpoints over the valley.

Formerly known as Roche du Soleil ( Sun Rock), because it is here that the sun, rising above the horizon, casts its first rays and bids its last farewell as it sets, it is through the pale or red hue with which it colours the rock that it predicts to the inhabitants whether the next day will bring serenity or tears from the sky. Discover two characterful towns in the Comté region and this royal viewpoint over the Loue valley, the Jura mountains and Mont Blanc.

Starting from one of the most beautiful villages in France, after a challenging climb, you will be rewarded by the cornices of the Rochers du Capucin, which offer what is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful views of the upper Loue valley with the Hautepierre rock. These will guide you along wooded and steep paths to the Moine de la Vallée and the sumptuous and wild gorges of Nouailles. The return journey, under the watchful gaze of the monk, takes you through blossoming orchards.

You don't need to be as fit as an Alpine hunter to climb the high peaks and enjoy breathtaking views. This is a walk that is accessible to all. This 10km or 15km hike will take you to Crêt Monniot (1141m) where, on a clear day, a superb 360° panorama awaits you: lomont, the Loue valley, the Jura plateaus, the Vosges, Mont Blanc and the Bernese Alps. You will love this landscape of chaux (the medieval name for high-altitude wasteland) with its sinkholes and sharp limestone pavement.

Crêt Moniot, with one or two "n"s, is well known for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, but the site is also ideal for hiking and mountain biking. It offers typical Jura landscapes with sinkholes and sharp limestone pavement, snow all year round in the La Neigère valley, abundant wildlife and superb views of the Alps.

The Rochers du Capucin cliff edge offers one of the most beautiful views of the upper Loue valley with the Roche de Hautepierre. It will guide you along wooded and steep paths to the Moine de la Vallée and the sumptuous and wild gorges of Nouailles.

From a steep rocky ledge, with numerous views over the Loue valley and Châteauvieux-les-Fossés, you will cross the beautiful, airy Tangelet forest, sharpening your sense of direction as you climb back up to the sunny plateau. You will visit the church of La Barêche, lost in the middle of the fields, and finish at the charming Sainte-Gertrude Chapel with its superb view of the valley.

Walk through the vineyards and along the Loue, passing through Lods, one of the most beautiful villages in France.

Set off to discover two small valleys of contrasting light and shade. Then, as the landscape becomes wilder, you will come to the Source Bleue and, nestled in the greenery, the Tuffière, resembling the mouth of a giant forest creature, ready to devour you, ending at the Cascade du Raffenot at the bottom of a typical valley of the Loue.

From this small fortified village, located on the old salt road overlooking the valley, you will descend towards Vergetolle, a charming little valley of contrasting light and shade. Then, the landscape becomes wilder as you head towards the Source Bleue and discover, nestled at the end of the valley, the Tuffière waterfall, resembling the mouth of a giant forest creature, ready to devour you.

Set off to explore the Barchet Pond and its peat bog. This vast wetland is a remarkable reservoir of biodiversity. Its soil, permanently saturated with stagnant water, deprives the microorganisms responsible for decomposing organic matter of the oxygen they need for their metabolism. The plant litter mineralises slowly and partially. It then accumulates gradually, forming a poorly decomposed or undecomposed deposit: peat.

From the church of Saint-Gengoult, patron saint of cuckolds, our ever-faithful Comtois Lady Nature will lead you along the beautifully named Chemin des Prés to the waterfall at the end of the Vau valley and its petrifying streams. On the way back, along the pleasant forest path overlooking the cornices, you can stop at the Thuyère viewpoint in Montgesoye and admire the Loue valley, from the Vuillafans mountains to Ornans.

Hike in the woods with a visit to the Peusse waterfalls in Ornans.

There is a short climb to the Roche Bottine, immortalised by Courbet in his painting "La Vallée de la Loue par temps d'orage" (The Loue Valley in Stormy Weather). Its unusual shape, reminiscent of an old boot standing on the edge of a precipice, gave it its name. This viewpoint offers a 180° panorama of Ornans, the Vierge de la Roche du Mont, and the upper and lower reaches of the Loue Valley. Along the way, you will discover the Roche Lahier viewpoint, a natural viewpoint overlooking the upper reaches of the Loue Valley towards Montgesoye.

The Loue Valley, an inexhaustible source of hiking opportunities, offers the rugged, wild charm of its rocks, ending more peacefully at the Saut du Chevalier waterfall in the cool Brême Valley, so often painted by Courbet.

Set off to explore the mountains of Franche-Comté, accompanied by the murmur of our cool streams which, if you know how to listen, will tell you many forgotten stories. Discover the vegetation petrified by our limestone waters and the coolness of secret caves nestled in the wild greenery.

Pass through pastures dotted with gentians and friendly, cuddly horses, then through cool fir forests with slender trees to discover Fort Malher and Château de Joux overlooking the valley with all the imposing severity of a medieval watchtower.

The highest point of the Montagne du Larmont, the Grand Taureau, at an altitude of 1,323 metres, offers a panoramic view of Pontarlier, the Loue Valley, the Jura mountains (the Aiguilles de Baulmes, the Knoll, the Mont d'Or), the Alps and Mont Blanc in good weather. This well-balanced route allows you to enjoy the coolness of beautiful pine forests and the sunshine of these alpine pastures dotted with gentians, accompanied by the music of our cowbells.

Starting from the bell tower of the old medieval priory, you will cross the cool Brême valley so often painted by Courbet. Then you will climb through a beautiful fir forest sheltered by stunning rocks, passing large boulders detached from the cliffs, towards the Grand viewpoint overlooking the upper Loue valley, Ornans and the Val de Scey. Continuing towards the Fontaine aux Vipères and then the castle overlooking the town, you will descend into the valley via a picturesque mule track.

Starting from the bell tower of the old medieval priory, you will cross the cool Brême valley, so often painted by Courbet. You will climb up to the Saut du Chevalier viewpoint to reach the Vierge de la Roche du Mont, continuing along the cornices towards the Roche des Pins and its views over the Loue valley. You will climb up to the Septfontaine plateau and its views of the Jura mountains, before finally descending towards the Brême via a picturesque mule track.

Starting from the bell tower of the former medieval priory, you will cross the cool Brème valley, so often painted by Courbet. Then, climbing back up to the Saut du Chevalier viewpoint, you will descend into the valley via a picturesque mule track.

Short loop through the fields (no gates to open) on horseback, with the option of staying at the Brin d'Herbe equestrian lodge. Please note: this route is only possible when the hay has just been cut and the grass in the meadows is short.

Starting from the Brin d'Herbe equestrian lodge, enjoy an unusual hike along forest paths, past cows and alpine landscapes. There is a magnificent view from the Ferme des Miroirs road, from where you can even see the Alps if the weather is not too cloudy! Enjoy a refreshing break or a good meal at the Les Papillons restaurant before returning through fields and forests. NB: as this hike crosses several cow pastures, please be sure to dismount, open and, above all, close any gates you come across.

A short hike for the whole family with breathtaking views of Château de Joux and Fort Malher!

From the foot of a medieval calvary, head towards the Belvédère des Genevois in the small, remote valley of Martinvaux, passing through beautiful pine forests with slender trees. Then descend to the Source de la Reverotte and follow it to the Puits de la Doye and the Grotte de la Baume.

La Roche Barchey, "the pierced rock" in Celtic, where witches of yesteryear celebrated their demonic cult, offers a vast panorama of the Val de Vennes and the Haut-Doubs from its height of 988 metres. You will then descend through the beautiful fir forests of La Joux towards the more Catholic Sainte-Radegonde, who, it is said, fought an evil ghoul, perhaps descended from the rock, on the night of a sabbath, on the site where her chapel was built.