Boussières walks

From Virgin to Virgin, not forgetting the big bad wolves, you will discover a superb panorama of the Doubs valley and its contrasting hills: warlike with the ruins of Montferrand Castle, peaceful with the protective Virgin of Notre-Dame du Mont, commercial with the Percée de Thoraise. As you climb the Éssart du Loup, you can dream of those distant times when the simple, tranquil beauty of our Comtois landscapes could be disturbed by sinister encounters.

Discover panoramic views of the Doubs valley, the Chapel of Notre-Dame du Mont and, dominating the valley, the feudal castle of Montferrand and its medieval keep overlooking the meanders. Then a picturesque steep path will take you down through a beautiful forest of slender trees to the Canal Monsieur dit la Percée de Thoraise, a 185-metre tunnel dating from 1810.

A forest and countryside walk, accompanied by the Montferrand keep and the Bisontin mountains, down the beautifully named Chemin de l'Essart du Loup, an old cart track, to discover the Monument de Vorges in memory of the long-forgotten poor biffins of 70, a gypsum factory and the small valley of Moulin Caillet lost between two mountains.

A stroll along the ridge separating the Loue Valley and that of the river Doubs and then along the banks of the Doubs with a panoramic view of the Château de Montferrand ruins.

This hike offers magnificent views of the Doubs valley and its contrasting hills: warrior-like with the ruins of the feudal castle of Montferrand, peaceful with the protective Virgin of Notre-Dame du Mont, and will lead you through bucolic me anders towards the beautifully named Notre-Dame de l'Assomption des Champs, protecting you from demonic medieval gargoyles.

This hike, following in the footsteps of Marquis Claude François Dorothée de Jouffroy d'Abbans, naval architect and designer of the steamboat, will take you between the Loue and Doubs rivers, from oratories to churches, in the heart of our devout Comtois countryside, leaving you time to meditate on the twilight paths of our wooded mountains.

A short climb to warm up your legs and discover two villages and exceptional views over the Doubs and Loue valleys, the Chapel of Notre-Dame du Mont, overlooking the valley, the Château de Thoraise above the river, the feudal castle of Montferrand and its medieval keep overlooking the meanders and, on the horizon, Besançon. Then a more leisurely return via the towpath, along the banks of the Doubs in the protective shade of the ruins.

"To the south, there was no need for walls of wood or stone: the seigneurial tower spread its mismatched wings at the top of a steep cliff at the foot of which flows the Loue. The tranquil river continues to lap at the rocky escarpment, drawing the same green loops on the earth as it has done since time immemorial," writes Carole Martinez in her book Du domaine des murmures. Come and listen to the murmur of the Loue in the shadow of the ancient castle.

You will walk peacefully along the river towards Chenecey, with its old church and picturesque 18th-century turreted house, then climb up to the hidden ruins of the 9th-century feudal castle of Charencey, which dominates the village and the Loue valley. Finally, you will end your walk at the Grand Méandre viewpoint overlooking the valley and the castle keep, where you may even spot some chamois.

A family hike around Chenecey, punctuated with information panels about the natural environment and clues left behind by the Vouivre. In the exceptional landscape of the Loue Valley, set off on an exploration to discover a diverse and preserved natural heritage. It can all be explained by a karst landscape shaped over time, so ancient that it is home to a strange mythological creature. For younger visitors, the trail comes with an explorer's notebook full of puzzles. This booklet is available for free in the booklet box at the start of the trail by the church and from local shops (the Loue bakery, Chez Gervais restaurant, the post office and the town hall). You will need a pencil.

On its rocky spur overlooking the Doubs valley, Abbans Castle was probably built on the site of a Roman castrum. The oldest parts date from the 12th century. It was at the top of the keep that Claude Dorothée de Jouffroy d'Abbans set up his study and forge, where he built his steamboat. Enjoy a short country walk in this historic setting along a pleasant ridge path, then through the Grande Fin valley, discovering the castle from different angles.

A ruined feudal castle dating from the 9th century overlooking the village and the Loue valley, the ruins of Charencey Castle are listed as a Historic Monument. From the church, located on the banks of the Loue, you will climb up to these secret ruins, continuing through a beautiful forest, perhaps imagining that you will come across a team of oxen pulling a cart up to the castle. Finally, you will return through the sunny pastures overlooking the valley.

This hike offers magnificent views of the Doubs valley and its contrasting hills: warlike with the ruins of the feudal castle of Montferrand, peaceful with the protective Virgin of Notre-Dame du Mont. You will walk along a beautiful, rocky ridge, punctuated by numerous viewpoints over the valley.

Route through the forest and wide paths, connecting the two parts of the commune of Cessey via the Mont de Cessey ridge and the Loue river.

They will guide you through times gone by that are nevertheless at the origin of the unique landscape of Chenecey and Buillon. The activities of yesteryear explain today's landscapes: a strong identity and a rich and diverse memory that has been built up over time and passed down from generation to generation.Through a digital app, just like those who came before you, you are invited by the monks of the former Cistercian abbey and the famous painter James Tissot to leave the hustle and bustle of the village behind and enter places that invite you to relax and contemplate. Ten stations will allow you to discover places that are inaccessible to the public, as they were in their heyday. Human relationships, self-awareness, art and connections with nature have evolved over time and in line with the challenges of each era. Through this retrospective journey, this walk invites you to reflect on the future of these places.

If you only have 1 to 1½ hours to let off steam, here is an idea for a short walk in Quingey/Cessey.

This gentle stroll to the Rocher de Valmy, a key site in the Franche-Comté Resistance, offers views of the lower valley where the Doubs river forms one of its most charming meanders. Then, between pastures and beautiful forests, you will discover the Belvédère Martelin overlooking Avanne and the Côte de Planoise, the Roche Trouée, a wild gateway opening onto the valley, and finally, the ruins of Fort de Pugey, the Grotte de Malpertuis and the massive, distant silhouette of Mont Poupet.

A short but richly rewarding walk: the Rocher de Valmy and the memorial stele, a tribute to the 16 resistance fighters shot at the Citadel, located on a rocky outcrop (406m) overlooking the valley where the Doubs river forms one of its most charming meanders; the Martelin viewpoint over Avanne and the Côte de Planoise; the Roche Trouée, a gateway to the valley; and finally, the old royal road with more beautiful views of the neighbouring mountains.

Starting from the church in Avanne, you will walk along the river, climb up to the cabordes, old dry stone winegrowers' huts, then on to Fort de Planoise or Fort Moncey, built in 1877, the first defensive rampart of the city of Besançon. You will pass numerous batteries and fortifications at a military pace, then stop at the superb viewpoints, one overlooking Besançon and its hills, the second to the south, overlooking the Doubs valley and the Jura mountains.

As its name suggests, this is a short, very easy walk starting from the church in Chemaudin and Vaux. It follows small paths in open countryside and woods. It passes by the Pote farm, which breeds Salers cattle and keeps horses.

Overlooking the village of Arguel, the ruins of a feudal fortress stand on a rocky outcrop. This short walk through pastures and beautiful forests offers superb views of the valley and, if you are discreet, you may spot a few deer or chamois.

On 26 September 1943, between 7.36am and 8.24am, 16 members of the Guy Mocquet and Marius Vallet resistance groups were shot at the citadel. Later, the German officer in charge of the operation reported the end of the shootings in these terms: " None of them agreed to be blindfolded. They all died bravely, shouting 'Long live France!'" Hike in tribute to the memorial stone located at one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the Besançon area.

This is a short country walk in a wide open, peaceful setting where you can enjoy the sunshine if you feel the need. Avoid after a period of rain, as the bottom of the valley tends to turn into a bayou.

Twelve short kilometres to the end of the world: a great destination that won't tire you out. You will discover the old village of Beure, a waterfall, an old wash house, a charming little church and its cemetery, and several viewpoints over the Doubs valley. Perhaps you will also have time to spare a thought for the young men who died under Nazi bullets, whose memory is perpetuated by the memorial at Rocher de Valmy.

A short, challenging hike for busy city dwellers who want to explore the wild corners of our mountains around Besançon. However, it is rich in the Baume Martin (from the Gaulish "balma", meaning a rock shelter), the superb cornices of the Bois de Peu overlooking the Doubs valley, the Gorges and waterfalls of the Pisseur and the Cascade du Bout du Monde.

A Roman and medieval path leads from the Bout du Monde to the heights of the Doubs and Mercureaux valleys, allowing you to pass discreetly under the ruins of the castle, stronghold of the infamous Sir Jacques d'Arguel, the racketeer, and quickly placing you under the protection of our polychrome saints of Franche-Comté.

A lovely short but varied loop. After the Cascade du Bout du Monde waterfall and a detour to the old wash house, the trail climbs steeply through rocky, green surroundings to the Cascade de la Pisseur waterfall. You can still see traces of the old iron-wheeled carts here, before enjoying superb views of the mountains and the Doubs valley.

Natural site with four viewpoints over the Jura Mountains and the Cussey valley, a corniche and dry grasslands. Places of interest: the Cussey fountain and wash house, Echay, a typical village in the Lison valley.

Don't worry, you won't see a single snake. However, throughout this walk between Loue and Lison, you will discover no fewer than three viewpoints, particularly the Gouille Noire, which overlooks the wild charm of the valley. From the Croix du Châtelet, you will discover the small village of Lizine and its rich church. After resting at the cool fountain in Villevoz, you can set off again towards the splendid sharp limestone pavement formations that resemble menhirs.

From the heart of the valley, you will climb in the shadow of the Château de Châtillon towards the Lizine plateau and its slate roofs, from where you will discover the Loue and Lison valleys from superb balconies, the riches of the church in this typical little village, the Oratory of the God of Mercy, and you can rest for a few moments at the cool fountain in Villevoz before setting off again towards splendid viewpoints over the two rivers.

Another circular walk around Lizine taking you to beautiful viewpoints and past the limestone pavement.