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 signposted with a Blue Ring.

(Start/End) Look out for the tourist information sign opposite the^13th-centurysquare tower; take the footbridge and follow the cycle path to the church (1573–1709–1714–1857).
From the church, head down the alleyway opposite the north side door to reach the Grand-Rue. Turn right towards Rue Saint Nicolas, cross the bridge (1874). Continue straight on until you reach 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, via Rue des Parcs, to reach Boncourt (Switzerland) via Chemin de la Brasserie. Walk past the restored railway station.
Pass the entrance to the Home les Chevrières and carry on straight ahead until you reach the crossroads.

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

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

Whilst you’re there, take a moment to admire the statue of Saint Nicholas of Flue: the patron saint of Switzerland.
A panoramic information board provides details of the landscape.
From this point, look out for several information boards about nature and trees. At the end of the path, you’ll arrive near the Emmaüs Centre.

(4) An information board provides details about the Sentier des Faines and the Enchanted Forest. Turn right, then carry on straight ahead to reach the main road, the 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 the Route des Lignières towards the Foyer des Fontenattes, where there is a splendid 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 onto Rue de Déridez, following the cycle path (Franco-vélosuisse, which runs from Belfort to Porrentruy). At the next roundabout, carry on straight ahead.
The street climbs slightly until you reach the old customs post. Carry on straight ahead, following Rue de Déridez and the cycle path as they descend, passing by the care home and the media library.

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

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

Visorando was provided with this information by Mr Chevalley, a volunteer member of Balisage90, based on leaflets published by the Sud Territoire community of communes.

In the surrounding area.
During the walk, you’ll pass by the Faînes route and the Enchanted Forest. This forest route consists of two circular loops, either 2 km 260 or 4 km 630. It forms part of the Jura canton’s educational trails, 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 further details, see the website:

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 major imperial road between Besançon and 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, donated it to the Benedictine Abbey of Murbach, which retained it until 1231. The town was subsequently entrusted to the son of Frederick II, Emperor of Austria, on condition that it be fortified, which henceforth made it the chief town 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 designated the administrative centre of a canton in the Haut-Rhin department, to which the commune of Boncourt belonged; Boncourt had been 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, some of which are listed on the register of historic monuments: the caryatids, the turreted house, the ramparts, the 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 situated 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.
Historic sites 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.