The Smugglers’ Trail in Delle

Start at the Remparts car park in Delle. Place de la République in Delle.
The route is mainly on tarmac and easily accessible for families. It is marked with a Blue Ring.

(S/E) Look for the tourist information point opposite the^13th-centurysquare tower, take the footbridge and follow the cycle path to the church (1573-1709-1714-1857).
From the church, go down the alley opposite the north side door to reach the Grand-Rue. Turn right towards Rue Saint Nicolas, cross the bridge (1874). Continue straight on to the roundabout.
Head towards Faverois by going up the Faubourg d’Alsace. Cross the railway bridge.

(1) Turn right and continue straight on along the railway line, Rue des Parcs, to reach Boncourt (Switzerland), Chemin de la Brasserie. Walk past the renovated station.
Pass the entrance to the Home les Chevrières and continue straight on to the crossroads.

(2) Turn left up Rue du Mont Renaud, then, after a few dozen metres, turn right following the signs for “Domaine de Guilé”.

(3) At the junction, as you enter the forest, continue straight on towards the Vita-Forêt Enchantée trail. At the gate, turn right and follow the path that runs along the edge of the forest. You’ll have a superb view of Delle and Boncourt.

As you pass, take a moment to admire the statue of Saint Nicholas of Flue: the patron saint of Switzerland.
A panoramic information panel provides details of the landscape.
From here, look out for several information boards about nature and trees. At the end of the path, you’ll arrive near the Emmaus Centre.

(4) An information panel provides details of the Sentier des Faines and the Enchanted Forest. Turn right and then straight on to reach the main road, Route du Jura. Cross the road and turn right, following the railway line.

(5) At the junction, turn left and cross the railway bridge. Continue along Route des Lignières towards the Foyer des Fontenattes, where there is a beautiful church.
Shortly afterwards, turn left and continue along Rue des Lignières. Do not take Rue du Stade. You will reach a roundabout.

(6) Turn right and take Rue de Déridez, following the cycle path (Franco-vélosuisse, which runs from Belfort to Porrentruy). At the next roundabout, continue straight ahead.
The street climbs slightly to reach the old customs post. Continue straight on, following Rue de Déridé and the cycle path as they descend, passing the retirement home and the media library.

Cross the D463 using the pedestrian crossing on the right.
Turn left and head back to the starting car park (S/E).

The hike crosses the border into Switzerland. Please remember to bring your ID documents.
In Switzerland, remember to sort out your mobile phone. Some plans may incur additional charges.

Visorando was informed by Mr Chevalley, a volunteer member of Balisage90, based on leaflets published by the Sud Territoire community of municipalities.

In the surrounding area.
During the hike, you will pass by the Faînes route and the Enchanted Forest. This forest route consists of two circular routes, either 2.26 km or 4.63 km. It is one of the educational trails in the canton of Jura, featuring 50 superb wooden sculptures. On this same trail, you can enjoy the magnificent view from the top of the panoramic tower, built entirely of wood.
For more details, visit the website:

Let’s set off to discover Delle.
A border town, Delle already existed in Gallo-Roman times in the form of villae rusticae, one of which was established in the 1st and 2nd centuries on the right bank of the Allaine, along the great imperial road from Besançon to Kembs; then, from at least the 6th century onwards, a market town developed on the opposite bank.
In 736, the Count of Alsace, the owner of the land, gave it to the Benedictine Abbey of Murbach, which retained it until 1231. The town was then entrusted to the son of the Austrian Emperor Frederick II on condition that it be fortified, which henceforth made it the capital of a seigneury dependent on the lands of Alsace.
In July 1636, Delle became part of France following the conquest of the region by the troops of Louis XIII. Granted to Cardinal Mazarin in 1659, it remained a seigneurial estate until the Revolution, after which it was made the capital of a canton in the Haut-Rhin department, to which the commune of Boncourt belonged; Boncourt was attached to this department from 1800 until 1814, when it was returned to Switzerland.
Finally, in 1871, Delle separated from Alsace along with around a hundred other localities to form the Territoire de Belfort.
Strolling through the streets of old Delle, visitors can discover the old houses and those listed in the inventory of historic monuments: caryatids, turrets, ramparts, Lourdel (later Feltin and now the town hall), not to mention the former refreshment bar.

Boncourt
Archaeological research has revealed the existence of an ancient Roman camp at Crêt-de-Châtillon, a hill located in the village.
Boncourt is first mentioned in 1140, under the name Bononis Curia.
In 1674, the castle was burnt down. All that remains is a keep, known as the Tour de Milandre.
Places to visit:
A very pretty town centre.
Ruins such as the Tour de Milandre and the Milandre caves.
The Church of Saints Peter and Paul, restored in 1768.
Statue of Nicolas de Flüe.
Chapel of Our Lady.