Gray walks

A hike to discover Gray, its surroundings and the Saône river via paths accessible on foot and by bike (except for a staircase at the end of the route, which can be easily bypassed). Also accessible by hybrid or mountain bike, except for the staircase at the end of the route, which can be easily bypassed via the adjacent streets.

An easy walk around the village of Crésancey, leading along the Tenise and then through valleys and woods, to discover the churches and wash houses of Noiron, Arsans and then Champtonnay, before returning to Crésancey through the fields. The villages you pass through are surrounded by magnificent natural landscapes such as beech woods, green hills, farmland and winding rivers.

A hike with no technical difficulties or elevation changes, along roads, paths and trails between the Apremont woods, the Mantoche woods and the right bank of the Saône, passing through:- Essertenne and its church with its external bells,- the old forges of Echalonge and its pond,- Mantoche,- the Saône, the blue route, stroll along the river,- the chalets of Grand Gué and Maison Rouge.Note: parts of the route are exposed to the sun, so take precautions in hot weather.

Welcome to Valay, a pretty village in Haute-Saône, surrounded by countryside and forests.Set off to explore its peaceful setting, typical of rural villages in the region, thanks to the "Entre Forges et Forêts" trail and its three loops:- The Tacot loop to the east of the village will take you close to the fortified castle, then into the forest, following the old railway line for 7 km.- You can extend your walk with the Sainte-Cécile loop, which will take you 6 km to the ruins of an old abbey and the commune of La Résie-Saint-Martin.- Finally, the La Fresse loop will take you to discover the village's iconic sites, while crossing a wooded section on a 4.8 km route.

Between dirt tracks, cattle tracks and stone bridges spanning the Salon, you will enjoy a pleasant walk discovering remarkable architectural heritage (churches, fountains, calvaries, etc.).

This route will take you to Oisilly. You will see a beautiful viaduct, which you can detour to see , the Mirebeau Forest, Cheuge and its drawbridge, famous for the filming of the film "La Veuve Couderc", the Renève Forest and the village, its castle, its two very pretty wash houses, and its rather unusual war memorial. You can also visit the Halte Brunehaut to discover the history of Queen Brunehaut and the exhibition of Gallo-Roman remains found around Renève.

The Colombine river has its source in Charcenne at the foot of the Leffond Chapel. Charcenne is a land of cheese and wine. A cheese dairy and nurseries provide many jobs in the area.

This route will take you along the banks of the Saône and to the mouth of the Marne-Saône canal.Take time to look at the lock-keeper's houses and the locks. Maybe you'll see swans, herons and cranes. Beautiful views of cattle farms and meadows.Just before you return to the starting point, you'll pass over the Pont de Garde, close to the two dams on the Saône and the last lock on the route.

A beautiful hike that will take you from the banks of the Vingeanne and the Champagne-Burgundy Canal to the forests of the Val de Vingeanne.

This easy hike will take you between Vingeanne and the canal to the Château de Rosières, a 15th-century fortified manor house that is still inhabited and operates as a bed and breakfast. It is open to visitors.

Hike in the Pesmes forges and along the Ognon river.

Perched in the heart of the Ognon Valley, Pesmes is a real gem of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region and is listed as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France. Take the "du martin-pêcheur aux remparts" loop trail and let yourself be charmed by the harmony between the remarkable architectural heritage and the natural setting. Narrow streets wind their way between elegant Renaissance houses and imposing medieval fortifications. Following the Ognon river, the trail will take you to the Forges site, a former industrial complex. Here you will discover the combination of water, wood, ore and human labour.

Pesmes, one of the most beautiful villages in the Franche-Comté region, reveals its secrets. A watchful sentinel on the banks of the Ognon, Pesmes enjoyed an important strategic position, as evidenced by the imposing mass of the castle and the surrounding wall.

Pesmes is a French commune located in the Haute-Saône department, in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region.The commune holds the ‘Cité de Caractère de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté’ and ‘Most Beautiful Villages of France’ labels.

In the Vingeanne valley, a walk amongst ponds, springs, canals, streams and the river, exploring the châteaux of Fontaine-Française and Rosières, the ruins of an old blast furnace, and observing resident birds (such as the reed warbler) or migratory birds in a reed bed or meadow.

A pleasant little walk through the vineyards and the heritage of Franche-Comté.

Starting from Pontailler-sur-Saône, the route leads through the communal forests of Pontailler and Maxilly-sur-Saône before descending via the Canal de la Marne à la Saône and then along the Saône to return to Pontailler.

A short walk through woods and pastures around the village of Sornay.

Remains of Gallo-Roman buildings have been found in Marnay. However, the commune was not mentioned until 1210. A gate and some remains of the old surrounding walls are still visible. A few elements of the feudal castle also remain, including the drawbridge and two turrets. The old town also has many houses dating from the 15th and 16th centuries. The current town hall dates from the Renaissance.The castle overlooking the Ognon valley was rebuilt in the 16th century but has been extensively remodelled since then.Finally, the Gothic church dates from the 14th and 17th centuries. The 20-hectare lake is home to many animal and plant species.

Hike starting from Marnay on the Voie Verte (old railway line) towards Brussey (eco-museum) and returning to Marnay via Combe Gaudin.

Starting from the Maison de la Nature, located on the banks of the Ognon in a former mill, this walk leads to the woods of Brussey, then offers beautiful panoramic views of the Château de Ruffey and the Ognon.

A short, easy hike that will take you to Cordiron Castle with a beautiful view of Marnay and the Ognon Valley.

After completing the circuit of the Étang du Milieu, this walk takes you up to the heights of Lamarche-sur-Saône, skirting the Pays Neuf. We’ll take the Voie Verte before walking through the woods known as the Grandes Charrières, then through the Leat aux Renards. We’ll return to the starting point by crossing the Pays Neuf.

In a rural landscape where industry has nevertheless left its mark, let's follow the route of the jalopy, which stopped in each village to load goods.

The origins of Lamarche are unknown. Nevertheless, the discovery in 1887 of polished stone axes and flint knives by Viscount Raoul Legouz de Saint-Seine suggests that the area was inhabited as early as the Neolithic period, although it seems that these tools, found at the confluence of the Bèze and the Saône, were carried here by the floods of these rivers. This peaceful stroll through the national forest is a truly relaxing experience.

An easy route through the countryside. Peaceful, wide open, gently rolling landscapes. Woods and fields. Two beautiful fountains and a fortified castle, one of the last in Franche-Comté to still have a standing keep.