Notre-Dame du Mont and the old town of Ornans

From the former Visitandines convent, you will climb up to the unmissable site of the Vierge de la Roche du Mont and its view over the Loue valley and the village of Ornans. Then, following the Mambouc stream, you will return to the old town to walk along the river and its beautiful houses at the water's edge.

Details

682593
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.67 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 132 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 133 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 464 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 327 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Parking is available at the exit of Ornans, opposite the gendarmerie, at the foot of the statue of Perrenot de Grandvelle. Alternatively, you can park in the large car park on Rue de la Fenotte. Yellow-blue markings.

(S/E) You can go down to the Loue to take a look at the old Nahin bridge, then go back up to the police station (former Visitandines convent) via the steps at the foot of the statue. Cross at the pedestrian crossing and walk about 50 metres to go around the building on the left. Cross the park and car park and turn left into Rue de la Fenotte, then turn right up Rue de la Garenne (dead end).

(1) Pass the water tower, then climb the path on the left immediately after the electricity substation, opposite No. 18. Cross the stone field in a straight line and continue along the path on the other side. Join a path that climbs to the right. You will come to a hairpin bend and a crossroads. Continue along the ledges on the left (towards Roche des Pins - Le Château d'Ornans).

(2) You are now at the Roche du Mont viewpoint overlooking the old town of Ornans and the upper and lower Loue valley, with a view, if the sky is not too foggy, of the Roche de Hautepierre. Take care when walking along the cliffs past the Virgin of Notre-Dame du Mont! Continue a little further along the cornices for various viewpoints and, at the last one (overlooking the castle), join the path that crosses the dry limestone grasslands, i.e. short herbaceous vegetation that grows on shallow soil and is exposed to significant sunlight. Continue along the cliff path, entering a small pine forest to reach the Roche des Pins viewpoint, nestled in greenery and featuring a bench where you can rest or have lunch.

(3) Stay on this beautiful path until you reach the Mambouc stream, which you cross via a small wooden bridge.

(4) Shortly afterwards, descend to Ornans on the left via theGR®595, following the stream. At the first houses, continue straight ahead with the church tower in your sights. Pass under the archway of the old bridge and, continuing straight ahead, go down the small alley (Rue du Stade) to Place Gustave Courbet.

(5) Walk around the square, passing Courbet's statue of the Chavots Fisherman. Cross the footbridge over the Loue and its beautiful houses at the water's edge. Pass between the beautiful library and the ancient 15th-century Hôtel de Grospain. Turn right and walk up towards the church. It's well worth a visit.

(6) Walk around the church and head back down Rue Saint-Laurent. Turn left down Ruelle Hommage Michel Depierre for another view of the riverbanks. Cross the Loue again via the Grand Pont bridge, then turn right into Rue Pierre Vernier.

(7) Don't miss the small square on the right, where you'll find the Pierre d'Asile column. According to legend, anyone who had committed manslaughter could touch the column to be saved. A hundred metres further on, turn down another alleyway for a view of the museum. Continue along Rue Pierre Vernier, passing numerous mansions, to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 334 m - Car park opposite the police station.
  2. 1 : km 0.83 - alt. 363 m - Water tower
  3. 2 : km 1.49 - alt. 461 m - Notre-Dame du Mont
  4. 3 : km 2.39 - alt. 453 m - La Roche des Pins
  5. 4 : km 3.67 - alt. 436 m - Mambouc Stream
  6. 5 : km 5.29 - alt. 329 m - The Fisherman of Chavots. Towards the footbridge over the - Loue (rivière)
  7. 6 : km 5.6 - alt. 333 m - Saint-Laurent Church
  8. 7 : km 6.03 - alt. 330 m - La Pierre d'Asile
  9. S/E : km 6.67 - alt. 334 m - Car park opposite the police station.

Notes

The route includes cliff paths and unsecured viewpoints. The paths are rocky and slippery in places. Sturdy footwear is essential and walking sticks are recommended.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Coucou71
Coucou71

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nice hike
When setting off, you can guess where the start is by following the app (there were markers with pieces of cloth...).
but it's not obvious
Instead, follow the 'via Ferrata' start to join the path that then climbs up to Notre Dame du Mont.

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Didier Mouchart
Didier Mouchart

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 18, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The beginning of the notice needs to be revised because I was with two other hikers and we couldn't find the start of the trail.

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GUAT25
GUAT25

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 28, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I confirm that you cannot take the path on the left opposite No. 18 Rue de la Garenne. Continue along the tarmac road for just over a kilometre before taking a sharp left turn to return to the Vierge du Mont.
Beautiful views of Ornans.

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sarahlambert
sarahlambert

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 12, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

There is just one change at the start of the walk; at point 1, you cannot turn immediately after Château d'Eua, as the path is now blocked.
You must continue and take a detour.

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MADASCHI
MADASCHI

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 25, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A walk taken on Ascension Day, during lockdown easing, close to the city centre, on a well-shaded path with little elevation gain. At the top, we were surprised to find this charming, flower-filled, bucolic hamlet, another world, a delightful little chapel and a view of Ornans.
We wondered: when there is more water in the stream, can we still walk up it, because after the rudimentary bridge on the way up, you realise that you are walking in the stream bed.
Otherwise, it was a very beautiful walk.

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lejurassien
lejurassien

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hike starting at La Roche des Pins, then ending at Notre Dame du Mont and the old town of Onans. These two hikes can be combined into one. Very beautiful hike with magnificent views. Due to construction work, the end is difficult.

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octorando
octorando

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Is it because of roadworks that we have to go via the water tower?
The section to reach the other path is very difficult (perhaps not for young people).
I did not enjoy this part at all. It does not qualify as "easy".

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