The cabordes of the Combe de l’Œillet

Car park on Chemin du Cras Rougeot, opposite the greenhouses, at the start of the ‘Les sentiers de Chaudane et de Rosemont’ walks. Yellow-blue markings.

(S/E) Return to the tarmac road and follow it to the right as far as the first house. At signpost no. 47, climb the hillside via the path on the right, towards Rosemont (the second path starts between the signpost and the electricity pole). After a few log steps, you’ll reach a wider stony track; take this to the right to discover, fifty metres further on, the viewpoint overlooking the new town of Planoise and the Doubs valley to the south.

(1) Leave the stony track and take the path leading off to the left (facing the view) into the woods. At the fork, thirty paces further on, climb steeply to the left. You’ll pass through boxwood trees that are recovering after an attack by the box tree moth. As you emerge from the boxwood, you’ll reach the dry grasslands; turn round to enjoy a beautiful view of Planoise and, to the left, the Doubs Valley. Carefully follow the beautiful ledge, taking the path on the right to the bench, where you can rest a little after this steep climb and take in a 180° view of the Besançon hills and the Jura mountains.

(2) Take a look at the remains of Fort du Rosemont by taking the path that climbs between the trail marker and the bench for a round trip. Then return to the bench.

(2) Carefully descend to the left (facing the viewpoint) and continue, still taking care, to the right beneath the overhangs for a return trip to a small cave, passing two paths on your left (NB). At the cave, turn back, leave the first path and descend very, very carefully to the right along the second, stony path. Caution! This short section is quite technical and requires sure-footedness. Thirty metres further down, the track veers to the left and joins a better-defined path, which you follow to the left.

You’ll come to a stony path at a hairpin bend. Head down to the right for about a hundred metres and, at the signpost, take the log staircase leading down to the right towards the Combe de l’Œillet (towards Velotte). At the foot of the steps, continue down to the right at the fork. Cross the pasture to the pond. Head left for about twenty paces.

(3) At the signpost, look out for the first ‘caborde’ in the open area on your right. Return to the signpost and head up to the right towards the Roche d’Or. Pass in front of another restored ‘caborde’ (there’s a small staircase to visit it), then the remains of a third.

About a hundred metres further down, at the fork in the paths (signposted ‘Collines de Besançon’), carefully descend to the left over scree. Watch out for stones that may roll under your feet! The path is difficult and stony, but follows a picturesque ridge with beautiful views. The descent, which has been fitted with steps, must be tackled with care.

When the path veers slightly to the left and you are facing the buildings at La Roche d’Or, look out for a cairn on your right-hand side marking a small track that branches off to the right. Remember to add a small stone to the cairn.

(4) Take the path on the right, soon passing the remains of piles of stone gathered from fields (murgers) and rejoining a well-defined path which you follow down to the left until you reach the junction of two murgers.

(5) Turn sharp right at the fork. You’ll join a wider path (signpost no. 33d); then head down to the left towards La Malcombe to return to the starting point (S/E).

(!) Despite its urban appearance and short distance, this walk can be challenging for the less experienced walker. It requires sure-footedness to navigate these beautiful, steep scree slopes, which can sometimes be treacherous for your ankles. The route includes ledge paths and unsecured viewpoints. The paths are rocky and slippery in places. Sturdy footwear is essential and the use of walking poles is recommended. Not suitable for young children.

Residents of Besançon wishing to avoid using their cars can take the tram and alight at Rosemont station. Join the nearby cycle path and follow it towards Planoise for 200 metres, then turn left (at a traffic light) onto Chemin de Chamuse for approximately 600 metres to return to the starting point.

(NB) If you wish to avoid this short, slightly technical descent (though no problem for my somewhat unsteady step as a septuagenarian), return to the bench.

(2) Facing the bench, take the path on your left, passing the signpost, towards Velotte. The path widens. Ignore a path leading down to the left until you reach another signpost marking a crossroads. Head down to the left and stay on this wide stony path. You’ll come to the hairpin bend again. Head down to the right for about a hundred metres and, at the signpost, take the log steps leading down to the right towards the Combe de l’Œillet (towards Velotte). This will add 600 metres to the route.

Dry grasslands are natural habitats that develop on poor, limestone soils that are well exposed to the sun. They are home to a varied range of flora, such as wild orchids, as well as numerous insects, reptiles and birds, making them areas of great ecological value.

Cabordes are small dry-stone structures built near vineyards and crops. They allowed winegrowers to shelter from the rain or sun, to eat their meals and to rest during long working days. They were also used to store tools, stakes, grape-harvesting baskets or a few provisions. Some could even provide shelter for the night when farm work required it. Today, they are an iconic feature of Franche-Comté’s rural heritage.

Rosemont Fort overlooks the Doubs valley and the south-western districts of Besançon. Built between 1890 and 1893, it forms part of the ring of forts constructed after the 1870 war to strengthen the city’s defences. Forming part of Séré de Rivières’ defensive system, it could accommodate several hundred men and was equipped with artillery designed to control access to Besançon. Disarmed during the 20th century, the fort is no longer used for military purposes.