Haut-Bois route in Luxeuil-les-Bains

The Banney Forest marks the transition between the beech-rich forests of the Vosges Saônoises and the varied species of the Haute-Saône plains. This ancient forest, once owned by the monks of Luxeuil Abbey, has many treasures: springs, fountains, an old Roman road and the Route Napoléon.

Details

20068032
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.18 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 94 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 88 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 376 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 304 m

Description of the walk

Park in the game park car park.

The route is marked with purple signs.

(S/E) From the wooden shelter, take the tarmac road that runs alongside the Sika deer enclosure and enter the forest. After 300 m, at the fork, take the path that descends to the right and leads to the Fontaine des Bons Cousins, which owes its name to the Bons Cousins Charbonniers guild dating back to the Middle Ages.

Leave the fountain and join the forest road. At the crossroads, you can shorten the route by taking the path on the left (blue markings). To stay on the main route described here, continue for 600 m and then turn left.

(2) At the fork, you can shorten the route again by continuing straight ahead (red markings). To stay on the main route, turn right. Below, in the copse, is the resurgence of the old Fontaine des Baraques. Then take the path that branches off to the left into the forest and joins the Route Napoléon, built in 1865 when Napoleon III frequented the waters of Plombières.

(3) Take the path opposite and after 300 m, turn left. Continue for 400 m and cross the forest road to take the path opposite. At the next junction, take the path that descends to the right and leads to the Fontaine du Tonneau.

(4) This astonishing fountain is a curious water collection system of Gallo-Roman origin. Take the path that starts below the forest road. Continue along this winding path for 800 m to reach the Fontaine Lévêque with its three cascading basins. Reach the forest road at the three-way junction.

(5) Take the path on the left, which will lead you to the Route Napoléon. Turn right and after 400 m, take the path on the left, which will take you directly back to the game park and the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 304 m - Banney Game Park - Parc animalier (Luxeuil-les-Bains)
  2. 1 : km 1 - alt. 321 m - Fontaine des Bons Cousins (Luxeuil-les-Bains)
  3. 2 : km 1.78 - alt. 349 m - Fontaine des Baraques
  4. 3 : km 2.69 - alt. 376 m - Route Napoléon
  5. 4 : km 4.26 - alt. 322 m - Fontaine du Tonneau (Luxeuil-les-Bains)
  6. 5 : km 5.06 - alt. 334 m - Fontaine l'évèque
  7. S/E : km 6.18 - alt. 304 m - Banney Game Park - Parc animalier (Luxeuil-les-Bains)

Worth a visit

(S/E) At the start of the route, there is a children's playground and a park with wild boars and sika deer.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 10 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
User 27817350

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely route that is suitable for young children. It starts with a playground, followed by animal parks (wild boar, deer) and then various routes of varying lengths with beautiful fountains to admire.
A very beautiful hike in a beautiful forest under the lovely autumn sun.

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laurent.tournier
laurent.tournier

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A bit noisy at first due to the road, but then it gets quieter

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User 25947875

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant short hike. No particular difficulties. In hot weather, this is an ideal spot as it is very shady.

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Patoch68
Patoch68

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

.

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Gatien44
Gatien44

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant stroll through the woods: certainly even better with a little sunshine

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riridoc
riridoc

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The ideal time to visit is on a Sunday at midday: first you'll see the runners from Luxeuil, followed by the townspeople out for a stroll after lunch.

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Gabriela Aga
Gabriela Aga

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful parish-specific to Brittany forest, route accessible to people of all ages. Good signage allowing you to see the fountains and learn about some tree species

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Marty57
Marty57

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 04, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

a very pleasant walk with no difficulty whatsoever. With perfect autumn weather, what more could you ask for...

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Cricr
Cricr

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very pretty, very shady walk.

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pascal gritti
pascal gritti

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 20, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello

Very beautiful hikes, three well-marked routes. Nice and shady
Especially recommended during periods of high heat
Very few difficulties
Alternating between forest paths and small tarmac roads
Ideal for those who enjoy peace and quiet

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