From Jeurre to Saint-Romain de Roche (circular)

The starting point is the Châle car park, located 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 to the banks of the Bienne, then follow the river after passing under the bridge to the left. You will reach a bridge.

(2) Cross it, then at the fork, continue straight on 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 left.

(3) Head towards a statue of the Virgin Mary visible straight ahead: the entrance to the cave, closed by a door, is 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^GR® de Pays signs). Walk for about 900 m until you reach a fork where the right-hand path is off-limits (private property).

(4) Continue left, then left again uphill about 50 metres further on. You will then leave the yellow and red markings and follow the path for a short while 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 gentler. 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 Petit Châtel.

(6) Continue 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; keep right.

(8) Take the path marked in yellow and red –^GR® de Pays – on the right. A little further on (about 300 m), look out for and take a path on the left that climbs quite steeply for a short distance (a few blue markings visible): after reaching a small plateau in an open area, continue to the right (lovely views). A little further on, rejoin the^GR® de Pays: continue left until the fork (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: Romanesque in style, it was probably built in the 13th century. From here, you can enjoy a lovely view over the Bienne valley. Return along the same path and continue straight on 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 the fork (a place called Sous Chamu).

(11) Take the path on the right, which climbs slightly. Shortly afterwards, the path begins to descend: 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 by a sign = Chemin de Philippe known as "Le Général"). Take care as the ground can be slippery in wet weather. Then head right at the fork (moderately visible) 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 of the valley. Ignore another path on the right (coming from Saint-Romain) and then another on the left: the route follows 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 after that, take a path on the left heading downhill.

(15) Near the Stade de Vaux, you’ll reach a wide path. Continue to the right and ignore the paths veering left at an open clearing. After a short while, you’ll reach the hamlet of Au Brotteau at the edge of a wooded area.
NB: I suggest a lovely alternative route along the banks of the River Bienne, which I highly recommend (about 1 km extra): click here to find out more.

(16) The path then winds its way through a series of short ascents and descents to reach a fork you passed on the way out.

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

(2) Continue straight on and follow the road past 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 some 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 contes en balade – 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, but may be more difficult if the ground is slippery.

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

- 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): an easy route. Follow the yellow markings.

- From (7) to (8): unmarked section. Finding your way is not 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 more difficult 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 in finding your way, except at the start of the path where you must then turn right (moderately visible). The ground may be slippery when wet.

- From (13) to (14): unmarked section. The route and navigation 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.

Village of Jeurre: situated at the confluence of the Bienne and the Héria, its origins date back at least to ancient times:

• 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. It was replaced in 1760 by the one we can see today (Saint Léger).
• Villa Jurensis: a number of ancient remains have been discovered at this site: column shafts, carved cornices, urns, mosaics, remains of aqueducts, etc.

Nerbier Cave: a statueof 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): originally, the site was home to a monastery and later a priory dependent on Condat Abbey (Saint Claude). Today, only a chapel remains. Built in the Romanesque style, it was probably erected in the first half of the 13th century. To find out more: read here and here