Walk of the little huts in Chavanatte

Park in the playground car park, just before the bridge over the Suarcine.
The start of both circular loops is in a peaceful spot on the edge of the D34. Here you can admire the Suarcine and its bridge dating from 1862. Information board for the walks.

(S/E) Circular Loop No. 1: 4.6 km. Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes. Marked with Red Rings.

Do not take the road or the bridge over the Suarcine. Start on a path heading south-west, slightly uphill, on the edge of the forest.

(1) At a place called Le Breuil, at the junction with the GRE5, turn left. A lovely little path surrounded by woods, ponds and farmland, with views of the Suarcine in places, awaits walkers. Pass under the power lines and reach the D13.

(2) At the crossroads, follow the D13 to the left towards Suarce. Take care.

(3) On the right, you’ll find traces of a mode of transport from the early 20th century. The train of the time, “the old banger”, which linked Réchésy to Belfort. Continue along the same road.

(4) After the Suarcine bridge, just past the Suarce sign, take the path on the left. You will then be on the right bank of the stream. For 500 metres, the riparian woodland forms a strip of trees on either side of the watercourse. It consists of species such as willow, alder, ash and birch.

On reaching the hamlet of Le Bon Rupt, you can admire a relatively recent plantation of red oaks, maples and wild cherry trees. As you leave this small wood, follow the D34 to the left and return to the village of Chavanatte. Take care.

(5) On the right, the monument erected in memory of those who lost their lives in the last two world wars.
At this exact spot, you have the choice of finishing Circular Loop No. 1 or continuing the walk via Route No. 2.

If you choose the first option, head down the Rue Principale. On the right is the town hall (built in 1843, with the bell added in 1844). Its bell tower was restored in 2005. It houses both the primary school and the town hall. On both the left and right, you can admire some lovely half-timbered buildings dating from the 1790s, which have been beautifully restored.

(6) At the crossroads, turn left. You will arrive at Rue du Lavoir.
Dating from 1800 and restored in 2006, it is well worth a brief stop. Continue through the landscaped park, cross the Suarcine via a pretty wooden bridge and return to the starting point (S/E).

(S/E) Circular Loop No. 2, 3 km. Duration: 1 hour. Marked with Yellow Rings.

To start, take the road heading north-east, cross the Suarcine and arrive at the crossroads

(6) Turn right onto the main street.
On your left and right, you can admire some lovely half-timbered buildings dating from the 1790s, which have been beautifully restored. On your left is the town hall (built in 1843, with the bell added in 1844). Its bell tower was restored in 2005. It houses both the primary school and the town hall.

(5) At the war memorial erected in memory of those who died in the last two world wars, continue left into Rue des Everrais.
After 200m, turn left: a lovely walk through the meadows and across the small wood at its edge

(7) When you reach the view of the Étang du Novelleux, turn left onto the path running alongside the Bois du Fief. At the junction, turn left again and enter the village via Rue de la Goutte du Bois, with a view of the Vosges.

(8) Then take Rue de la Goutte des Belles opposite.

(6) Continue straight on, passing through Rue du Lavoir where, as the name suggests, there is a wash house. Dating from 1800 and restored in 2006, it’s well worth a quick stop. Continue through the landscaped park, cross the Suarcine over a pretty wooden bridge and return to the starting point (S/E).

(S/E) Circular loops 1 and 2, 7.3 km. Duration: 2½ hours

Follow route No. 1 to the monument erected in memory of those who died in the last two world wars.

(5) Turn right to take route No. 2 and complete the circular route. See the two descriptions above.

Start at the playground. Address: Rue du Lavoir, 90100 Chavanatte. Just before the bridge over the Suarcine.

Picnic area with a few games for children. Very pretty landscaped park around the wash house and small wooden bridges over the Suarcine.

This walk is easily accessible to everyone.
It can be divided into three sections:
- Circular Loop No. 1: 4.6 km. Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes. Marked with Red Rings.
- Circular Loop No. 2: 3 km. Duration: 1 hour. Marked with Yellow Rings.
- Circular loop 1 and 2: 7.3 km. Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes. Marked with a Red Ring followed by a Yellow Ring.

Visorando was provided with this information by Mr Chevalley, a volunteer member of Balisage90, based on leaflets published by the Sud Territoire community of communes.

The Sundgau

Nicknamed the ‘Little Sologne of Belfort’ due to its many fishing ponds bordered by lush forests, the region reveals a surprising variety of landscapes.
In the heart of a naturally bountiful region, the Bourbeuse Valley boasts remarkable ecological diversity. Architectural curiosities, half-timbered farmhouses, wash houses and fountains bear witness to a rich history.

On the way to discover Chavanatte

The village’s origins are thought to date back to the eighth century, when the settlement consisted of huts with wooden posts, hence its name Chavanatte (where ‘atte’ is a diminutive in contrast to the larger ‘Chavannes’)
The first recorded mention of Chavanatte dates back to 1462. At that time, the village was called “Klein Schafnatt”, literally “the little huts”, by the Austrian administration of the Sundgau.
Administratively, it fell under the powerful seigneury of Florimont and was attached to the parish of Suarce. However, the abbeys of Masevaux and Valdieu also owned significant properties there and collected the tithe. Finally, the Montreux family of Chavanatte held a fief there comprising a fortified house and around a hundred hectares of land, ponds and forests. In 1685, following the extinction of this family, the fief passed to the Reinachs, who granted it as a sub-fief to Claude Reiset, the bailiff of their seigneury of Montreux, and subsequently to his descendants, who retained it until the Revolution.
Following the defeat of 1871, Chavanatte, Suarce and Chavannes-les-Grands, French-speaking villages in the canton of Dannemarie, escaped annexation; they were incorporated into the Territoire de Belfort.
Long attached to the canton of Delle, Chavanatte is now part of the canton of Grandvillars and the Sud Territoire community of communes.