La Roche du Grand

Park at the Châteaud'Ornans, near the fountain. Yellow and blue signposts and some sections without signposts.

(S/E) Pass between the two no-entry signs and turn right towards the viewpoint.You will arrive at the ruins of the old castle, which was dismantled on the orders of Louis XIV during the second conquest of Franche-Comté in 1674.

(1) Continue towards the Saint-Georges Chapel, built by Othon, Count of Burgundy, in 1289 and rebuilt in 1500. Continue along a small lane to the left of the chapel to complete the loop around the hamlet, passing in front of an old cul-de-four.

(S/E) Pass between the two no-entry posts and in front of the fountain, and continue straight ahead to the calvary. Turn right towards Roche des Pins.

(2) At the last house, ignore the sign telling you to turn right and continue climbing on the same gravel path until you reach another wayside cross. Cross the road and go straight up, passing in front of the EARL du Château. You will lose the signpost. Continue on this small gravel road until you reach the forest. You will pass a magnificent viewpoint over the upper Loue valley, but you will also pass under high-voltage power lines that detract a little from this beautiful plateau. On the left, there is a beautiful view of Mont Poupet.

(3) As you approach the woods, the path forks; continue straight ahead on the left-hand path, passing a hunting cabin, and descend into the woods on the forest path on the right.

At the triangular crossroads, turn left and then left again after a few steps. After a short descent, at a forest sign No. 29 and an old boundary marker, you will come to a crossroads.

(4) Continue straight ahead, passing the boundary stone. This path becomes a small trail crossing sharp limestone pavements and leads perpendicularly to an ascending path. Continue straight ahead on the path opposite.

You will soon reach a wider uphill path and continue straight ahead, following the yellow and blue markings. Continue climbing straight ahead, leaving two uphill paths on your right. You will reach a small forest clearing, which leads to a path climbing perpendicularly.

(5) Descend to the right and quickly, at the fork, take the pretty path on the left that runs along the cliff to reach a first unsecured viewpoint over the lower Loue valley. Continue a little further to reach the Roche du Grand spur. Be careful, the viewpoint is not secured and sharp limestone pavements can cause you to trip. Viewpoint over the valley towards Scey-en-Varais, as far as Mont de Cademène and Rocher de Colonne. At the foot of the cliffs, the old Tacot viaduct.

(6) Take the path that continues to the left (facing the viewpoint) and follow the signs to the signpost.

(7) Continue straight ahead towards Ornans. As you leave the woods, you will cross a meadow with beautiful views of the neighbouring mountains on your right and, opposite you, the luminous Roche de Hautepierre, which deserves its nickname of the Roche du Soleil (Sun Rock). When this small, well-stoned road crosses a path on your left that goes back up into the meadow, continue straight ahead for about 100 metres.

(8) Look for a small path that descends the wooded hillside on the right. You will lose the markings, but continue down this beautiful path, which winds its way down to the clearing of the Fontaine des Vipères, ignoring the other paths.

(9) From the fountain, there is a lovely view of the west passageway of the castle, pierced by three arrow slits. Cross the clearing lengthwise to find a path that quickly forks. Go up to the left. At the second fork, take the path on the right. At the beautiful stone colonnade, go up to the right to reach Rue du Château. Cross the road and climb up to the car park via the path opposite. (S/E)

The route includes cliff-side paths and unsecured viewpoints. The trails are rocky and slippery in places. Sturdy footwear is essential and walking sticks are recommended.

(1) The castle was destroyed by the Duke of Luxembourg on the orders of Louis XIV during the second conquest of Franche-Comté. Taken on 5 May 1674, it was dismantled immediately. For the record, it was administered by the mathematician Pierre Vernier, who was its captain. It was here that he developed his Quadrant nouveau, one application of which became the famous vernier scale.

(1) The Chapel of Saint George, built by Othon, Count of Burgundy, in 1289 and rebuilt in 1500. The chapel stands on the edge of the rocky spur that once housed the castle. It has vaults supported by ribbed arches and a lava roof. Three ogival windows let light into the interior, while the simple entrance is topped by a small bell tower. The building underwent complete restoration in 2018.

(9) The Viper Fountain: according to Courbet, around this wash house, the tongues of the washerwomen were as active as their arms, which were well hung, agile and sometimes venomous. They were not shy about speaking their minds and, while beating the laundry with their mallets, they could deliver a few well-aimed blows to people's reputations, thus putting their words into action. For those unfamiliar with the local dialect, these mysterious cancouaines (or cancouères) are simply our good old Franche-Comté gossips, experts in colourful conversation and juicy commentary.