Montfaucon: Dhuit Fountain

Park opposite the stadium at the top of Montfaucon village. Yellow-Blue Waymarking

(S/E) Climb up Rue de la Comtesse Henriette, 'Rives du Château' (banks of the château) path, Yellow-Blue waymarking. On the right an old fountain and its pump.

(1) When the road turns 90 °, take the Chemin du Donjon signposted "'Château Fort - Montfaucon''. Beautiful view of the valley overlooking the ruins of the old château which belonged to the powerful Montfaucon family of feudal lords. It has had registered historical monument status since 7 December 1976. This path will lead you to the foot of the château, which was renovated by a voluntary association.

(2) On the right, you will find an old spring. Climb up to the château, going under the old reconstructed gate. Take the stony path on the left which takes you first to the old parish church, built in 1311, then along the entrance tower and the ramparts until you reach the old keep, inhabited by crows. A picnic table has been installed. Climb the foot of the keep via a small bridge in order to admire the view over the Doubs valley and the small valley which you just came down.

(3) Turn back via the small bridge for about fifty metres and, turning your back to the keep, pass in front of the flag pole, continuing straight on until you discover small stone steps which join up with the path going around the ruins. Continue to the right, you will pass below the ruins and the church and then along the stone walls. When the path turns a hairpin bend to return to the castle entrance, go straight ahead onto the path, ignoring the Yellow-Blue cross which prohibits entry. You will go alongside the old ruins crowned with ivy. Do not be reckless by going close to them (risk of landslides). You continue on to the far point of the promontory and then along the left side. Go very carefully down the slippery path between the small rocks, then go around two large rocks to the right and go along the other side of the ruins until you return to the entrance gate and go back down to the small tarmacked road.

(4) At the place where the small tarmacked road climbs back towards the village, you will be standing in front of signs for two circuits. Climb in the direction of the cliffs via the "Sentier des Falaises du château'' ('Castle cliffs path') (Yellow-Blue waymarkers). Halfway, leave the stony path and head downhill to the left to the Dhuit Fountain.

(5) At the fountain, retrace the path for about thirty steps and, in the first bend, try to locate a small path which crosses through the wild garlic and, about fifteen steps further on, meets a wider, non-waymarked path which takes you downhill to the left. You will soon cross another path, continue going down by staying on the right-hand track going downhill. The path can be slippery in wet weather.

(6) You will cross through a small stream ford (often dry) and join a wider path with waymarking once again (VTT113 circuit). Go downhill to the right for 200 metres. The path curves round a flat section for a hundred metres with gaps over the Doubs valley. When it starts to go back down, climb to the left onto a path, ignoring the Yellow-Blue cross. You will be accompanied by the smell of boxwoods so characteristic of our limestone Besançon mountains. You will arrive at a more exposed spot with, on the left, dry stone walls, no doubt the remains of terrace cultivation, and then shortly at the wild Nacra steephead valley, crossing first a small stream ford and then, following the path on the other side, another small stream. Climb in the direction of the cliffs and go alongside them to the right.

(7) You will soon reach another waymarked path which goes downhill to the left, follow this straight downhill. A bit before you join a tarmacked road, take the small path on the right which will lead you Janniet Fountain. At the road, return to Montfaucon by climbing to the left. At the first houses, continue straight ahead up to the roundabout and then turn left into Rue de la Comtesse Henriette and continue on to the car park (S/E).

Walking sticks are recommended.