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Arguel car park in the centre of the village. Yellow-blue markings and some sections without markings.
(S/E) Head to the back of the car park to join the sandy path that leads to the old wash house on the left. Walk up the lawn towards the road, cross it carefully at the pedestrian crossing and at the corner of the house opposite, despite a low wall and a yellow and blue cross inviting you to turn back, climb the small path that leads up to the church. Take a quick look at the church and its cemetery. Go up the path opposite the cemetery gate. At the fire hydrant, turn right onto the dead-end road, which becomes a pretty path climbing up the hillside (yellow-blue marker).
(1) At the "Circuit des Grands Prés" sign, continue to the right, despite the yellow-blue cross, towards the viewpoint 300 metres away. Soon, you will reach the first unprotected viewpoint over Planoise: be careful! Another viewpoint overlooks the Pugey valley, the Arguel hillside and the Jura mountains, in particular Le Poupet. Continue carefully along the cliff path, dotted with other viewpoints and a few remains of the castle. At a small dip and a fork in the path, climb the small hill carefully (the path runs along the edge of the cliffs) to the end of the promontory for a superb 180° view of Besançon and its hills, and the Mercureaux valley.
(2) Turn back to the small dip at the fork in the paths and head right towards the Doubs valley. You will come to a path; walk about ten steps to the right for another view. Then turn around and go straight ahead, this time along the cliffs on the river side. Pass under a wall. Unfortunately, this is all that remains of this feudal site. Complete the loop by returning to the first viewpoint and head back to the sign without quite reaching it. About 10 steps away from it, take the unmarked path on the right that climbs towards the ridge and winds between beautiful rocks. When the leaves are falling, you will have a view of the Doubs valley on your right.
This path leads to a clearing, which you should enter quietly. I have often encountered a few chamois there in the morning. The clearing offers a beautiful view of the Fort de Planoise, the Rosemont and the village of Avanne. Cross this pasture diagonally, heading towards its right-hand edge. Climb over the rickety barbed wire fence to find the path that descends to a promontory overlooking the valley. Take great care, as the path down to the unsecured Chère promontory is slippery in certain seasons and runs close to the edge of the cliffs. Stay on the grassy part of the promontory. Climb back up to the pasture.
(3) When you leave the woods, cross the pasture in a straight line to find a gap in the trees opposite and a path leading upwards. At the new pasture, continue straight ahead, following the edge on your right until you reach the unsecured paragliding take-off area, which offers views of Avanne and Besançon. Be careful around the unprotected viewpoint!
(4) Walk diagonally up the pasture to the left to reach the opposite edge, where you will easily find the opening of the path that will take you back to Arguel. Close the gate behind you and you will soon come to a fork. Take the left path along this pleasant ridge trail, leaving the marked trail behind. You will come to the sign for the Grands Prés circuit.
(1) Turn right and return to Arguel, passing in front of the church again. Continue left to the last house in the village to see an old Michelin plaque, then cross the small bridge, turning right to find the sandy path, the old wash house and the car park (S/E).
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