From Jeurre to Saint-Romain de Roche (circular)

The starting point is the Châle car park, situated in the heart of the village of Jeurre (at the junction of Montée de l’École and Rue Principale).

(S/E) Take Rue du Monument, passing below the church and the cemetery.

(1) Continue along the street to the right, passing the entrance to Jeurre Castle. A few metres further on, turn right onto a path leading down towards the banks of the Bienne, then follow the river after passing under the bridge to the left. You’ll come to a bridge.

(2) Cross it, then at the fork, carry on straight ahead towards Saint-Romain. Not far on, at another fork, turn right and head uphill. Look out for the start of a path on the right and take it (no sign visible): after a stretch of uphill and downhill, you’ll reach a stream; without crossing it, head off to the left.

(3) Head towards a statue of the Virgin Mary visible straight ahead: the entrance to the cave, closed by a door, is located just behind it (entry is prohibited).
Go back a short way and take the path on the left, heading downhill. After crossing a small stream, you’ll come to a fork; take the left-hand path towards the Vaux stadium along a wide track (marked with yellow and red signs for^{the GR®®} de Pays). Walk for about 900 metres until you reach a fork; the right-hand path is off-limits (private property).

(4) Continue to the left, then left again, heading uphill about fifty metres further on. You will then leave the yellow and red markings and follow the path for a short while, walking alongside a stream (Leat de Creuse).

(5) At the boundary of a private property (sign indicating the presence of stallions), continue to the right towards Saint-Romain. The slope is a little steep at first, then becomes more gentle. After a bend, turn right to join another path a little further up and continue to the right. Not far on, join another path and continue to the left, passing under some power lines. You’ll come out onto another path just before the hamlet of Le Petit Châtel.

(6) Carry on to the right (yellow markings).

(7) After a bend, look out for the start of another path on the right and take it (unmarked section).
After a short climb, you’ll reach a fork in the path; carry on to the right.

(8) Take the path marked in yellow and red –^{the GR®®} de Pays – on the right. A little further on (about 300 m), look out for and take a path on the left which climbs quite steeply for a short distance (a few blue markings visible): after reaching a small, open plateau, continue to the right (lovely views). A short distance further on, rejoin the^GR®® de Pays: continue to the left until you reach the junction (Roche de Vaux) and follow the path to the right downhill (yellow and red markings). Further down, at the junction with the Chemin de la Chapelle, continue to the right (yellow markings) for about 200 m.

(9) Saint-Romain-de-Roche Chapel: built in the Romanesque style, it was probably erected in the 13th century. From here, you can enjoy a lovely view over the Bienne valley. Retrace your steps along the same path and carry on straight ahead at the fork you passed earlier. Enter the hamlet of Saint-Romain-de-Roche.

(10) At a junction, take the road on the right, heading uphill towards Pratz. At the last houses, ignore the path on the right leading to Molinges and continue straight on until you reach the fork (a place known as Sous Chamu).

(11) Take the path on the right, which slopes slightly upwards. Shortly afterwards, the path begins to slope downwards: look out for the start of another path on the right.

(12) Take this path. About a hundred metres further on, turn right at^{the first} visible path (marked with a sign: ‘Chemin de Philippe dit “Le Général”’). Take care as the ground can be slippery in wet weather. Then, at the fork (which is only moderately visible), head right to reach a junction of paths.

(13) Continue along the path opposite (do not follow the yellow and red markings) and follow it for a short while; the route is relatively flat.

(14) At this point, the path runs along the foot of a cliff (Roche de Chiriat), where you can enjoy a lovely view over the valley. Ignore another path on the right (coming from Saint-Romain) and then another on the left: the route continues along a recently created path (follow the pink markings). A little further on, you’ll come across a path leading to the Chapelle Saint-Romain de Roche; shortly afterwards, take a path on the left heading downhill.
(15) Near the Stade de Vaux, you’ll join a wide track. Carry on to the right and ignore the paths leading off to the left at an open spot. After a short while, you’ll reach the hamlet of Au Brotteau at the edge of a wooded area.
Note: I suggest a lovely alternative route along the banks of the River Bienne, which I highly recommend (an extra 1 km or so): click here to find out more.

(16) The path then winds its way through a series of short ascents and descents before reaching a junction you passed on the way out.

(4) Carry on straight ahead. At the access point leading to the Grotte de Nerbier, continue straight ahead again and then cross the bridge.

(2) Carry on straight ahead and follow the road, passing in front of Jeurre Castle.

(1) Keep to the right to return to the starting point (S/E).

Good walking boots and walking poles are recommended. In wet conditions, watch out for slippery ground in certain areas.

Nature says no to your rubbish. Take it home with you!

The quality of the route is good to fair throughout:
- From (1) to (3): the ‘7 tales on a walk – Le Parfum d’Estrela’ route is followed (yellow markings).
Up to point (2) Champ du Pont, the route is fairly good.
It is easy up to the fork in the path leading to the cave, after which it may be more difficult if the ground is slippery.

- From (3) to (4): the path is potentially slippery up to the junction with the^GR®® de Pays. The route then continues along a fairly easy path (marked in yellow and red).

- From (4) to (6): unmarked section, but finding your way should not be a problem. The ground may be slippery in wet weather.

- From (6) to (7): easy route. Follow the yellow markings.

- From (7) to (8): unmarked section. Finding your way should not be a problem

- From (8) to (9): on the route marked in yellow or yellow and red (^GR®® de Pays), the route is easy, then becomes slightly more challenging for a short distance on the section marked in blue (a fairly steep uphill slope).

- From (9) to (12): marked in yellow or yellow and red (^GR®® de Pays). The route is easy.

- From (12) to (13): unmarked section; no difficulty with navigation except at the start of the path, where you must turn right (moderately visible). The ground may be slippery when wet.

- From (13) to (14): unmarked section. Navigation and finding your way are straightforward.

- From (14) to (15): section marked in pink on a recently developed path. The gradients encountered are not excessive.

- From (15) to: yellow and red markings –^GR®® de Pays. No difficulties encountered.

The village of Jeurre: situated at the confluence of the Bienne and the Héria, its origins date back at least to antiquity:

• a Roman fortification was erected to guard the entrance to the valley leading to Villards-d’Héria; a covered passageway provided access to the banks of the River Bienne (on the site of the present-day castle).
• On a small, steep hill, a temple dedicated to Juno was built. A church was subsequently erected on its ruins. This was replaced in 1760 by the one we can see today (Saint Léger).
• Villa Jurensis: a number of ancient artefacts have been discovered at this site, including column shafts, carved cornices, urns, mosaics and remains of aqueducts, amongst others.

Nerbier Cave: a statue of the Virgin Mary was erected in 1899 following the rescue of five Italians who were carrying out earthworks in the cave and became trapped when the water rose. To find out more: read here

Saint-Romain-de-Roche Chapel (or Saint-Romain-de-Condat Chapel): the site originally housed a monastery and later a priory attached to Condat Abbey (Saint Claude). Today, only the chapel remains visible. Built in the Romanesque style, it was probably erected as early as the first half of the 13th century. To find out more: read here and here