Pirey walks

A peaceful family route near Besançon. Discover a restored caborde (stone shelter) and a wide viewpoint with an orientation table.

According to Besançon tradition, the Sun King, Louis XIV, sat under a lime tree during the capture of Besançon by his troops: "the king's lime tree". But "Les Tilleroyes" is undoubtedly an old variant of tilleraie, a forest of lime trees. I don't know if you'll still find any lime trees, but there will be plenty of shade and coolness for city dwellers looking for a breath of fresh air just a stone's throw from the city.

For a change from the crowds in Chailluz Forest, this is a peaceful little walk on the outskirts of Besançon, best done in dry weather.

Present on the hills of Besançon since the 16th century, these dry stone constructions without mortar are a reminder of a time when vineyards stretched across the hillsides. A niche, a bench, a fireplace, they allowed the winegrower to store his tools, shelter in case of a storm and perhaps sleep there for a night, as the city gates closed every evening at 10:45 p.m. until 1875. Along the way, you will discover no fewer than five belvederes and the forts of Rosemont and Planoise.

Walk in the Chailluz Forest and climb up to the Dame Blanche viewpoint.

The citadel, a masterpiece by Vauban, overlooks the old town, which is enclosed in a circular bend in the river (the Boucle), from a height of over 100 metres. Its ramparts offer spectacular panoramic views. You will climb up along the ramparts and casemates, then descend the other side towards the entrance to the city, the Porte Rivotte and the toll house. Then, walking along the riverbank, you will discover the towers and bastions that protect the city, ending at the Gare d'Eau, the old goods port.

Hike in the Besançon area, allowing you to climb up to Fort de Bregille with a superb view of the city and the citadel.

The forts of Beauregard and Bregille offer a special walk for residents of Besançon seeking greenery and sweeping views of the capital of Franche-Comté and its hills. They offer superb views of our Citadel. Then, just a stone's throw from the bustling city, you will find yourself on quiet paths, accompanied by the scent of boxwood.

Hike to discover several viewpoints on the outskirts of Besançon.

A short climb up one of Besançon's seven hills: Chaudanne, with its unspoilt natural beauty, its dry grasslands shaped by nature and man, its fort and its views of the Citadel, the old town and the southern Doubs valley.

An urban hike to discover the hills of Besançon. Natural factors such as soil, climate and altitude, combined with the action of water, have shaped the hills of Chaudanne and Rosemont, which are remarkable natural areas. Let yourself be seduced by the beauty of unspoilt nature, proving that our provincial Besançon has managed to remain a city in the countryside.

Just a stone's throw from Besançon city centre, this hike will allow you to discover the capital of Franche-Comté from several different viewpoints. You will also discover the Citadel built by Vauban and several other forts and architectural features that made up the city's fortification system.

Built in the 19th century in the heart of nature, Fort de Brégille overlooks Besançon and offers one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the old town topped by its citadel and, in the background, the Besançon hills of Chaudanne and Rosemont. After a short detour to the Grand Désert, a vast expanse of scree, you enter the Monts de Bregille forest for a visit to the Renard cave and the Clémentigney viewpoint overlooking the upper Doubs valley and the ruins of the feudal castle of Montfaucon.

Hike to discover Fort de Chaudanne with its panoramic view of Besançon and the citadel and the small paths surrounding the site.

A short, challenging hike for busy city dwellers who want to explore the wild corners of our mountains around Besançon. However, it is rich in the Baume Martin (from the Gaulish "balma", meaning a rock shelter), the superb cornices of the Bois de Peu overlooking the Doubs valley, the Gorges and waterfalls of the Pisseur and the Cascade du Bout du Monde.

Starting from the church in Avanne, you will walk along the river, climb up to the cabordes, old dry stone winegrowers' huts, then on to Fort de Planoise or Fort Moncey, built in 1877, the first defensive rampart of the city of Besançon. You will pass numerous batteries and fortifications at a military pace, then stop at the superb viewpoints, one overlooking Besançon and its hills, the second to the south, overlooking the Doubs valley and the Jura mountains.

Twelve short kilometres to the end of the world: a great destination that won't tire you out. You will discover the old village of Beure, a waterfall, an old wash house, a charming little church and its cemetery, and several viewpoints over the Doubs valley. Perhaps you will also have time to spare a thought for the young men who died under Nazi bullets, whose memory is perpetuated by the memorial at Rocher de Valmy.

A Roman and medieval path leads from the Bout du Monde to the heights of the Doubs and Mercureaux valleys, allowing you to pass discreetly under the ruins of the castle, stronghold of the infamous Sir Jacques d'Arguel, the racketeer, and quickly placing you under the protection of our polychrome saints of Franche-Comté.

A lovely short but varied loop. After the Cascade du Bout du Monde waterfall and a detour to the old wash house, the trail climbs steeply through rocky, green surroundings to the Cascade de la Pisseur waterfall. You can still see traces of the old iron-wheeled carts here, before enjoying superb views of the mountains and the Doubs valley.

As its name suggests, this is a short, very easy walk starting from the church in Chemaudin and Vaux. It follows small paths in open countryside and woods. It passes by the Pote farm, which breeds Salers cattle and keeps horses.

A short hike on the outskirts of Besançon, but rich in the small gorges of the Pisseur, the Bout du Monde waterfall, an ancient Roman road and a superb viewpoint over the Doubs valley. Please note! Despite its short length, it is challenging and requires sure-footedness.

A beautiful walk for city dwellers seeking nature and sweeping views of the capital of Franche-Comté and its hills, just a stone's throw from the city. It offers superb views of our Citadel and the feudal castle of Montfaucon. Then, just a stone's throw from the noisy city, you will find yourself on quiet paths, accompanied by the scent of boxwood.

A short, cool, shaded walk to discover the Fontaine des Acacias, one of the only water sources in the Chailluz Forest, carved out at the foot of a small cirque of mossy rocks in a wild sinkhole. Return via the floral trail to another sinkhole: the Creux Vivier.

On 26 September 1943, between 7.36am and 8.24am, 16 members of the Guy Mocquet and Marius Vallet resistance groups were shot at the citadel. Later, the German officer in charge of the operation reported the end of the shootings in these terms: " None of them agreed to be blindfolded. They all died bravely, shouting 'Long live France!'" Hike in tribute to the memorial stone located at one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the Besançon area.

Overlooking the village of Arguel, the ruins of a feudal fortress stand on a rocky outcrop. This short walk through pastures and beautiful forests offers superb views of the valley and, if you are discreet, you may spot a few deer or chamois.

A lion, small and large virgins. No! You are not in an arena, despite the Roman past of our Vesontio, but on the heights of the Chapelle des Buis with its splendid views of the Citadel overlooking the city of Besançon. You will then reach the charming little valley of Les Mercureaux via a ridge path winding through the box trees.

Starting from the small chapel overlooking the Citadel and the Besançon circular route, you will follow a stream through the cool little valley of Les Mercureaux where, it is said, a temple dedicated to the god Mercury stood in ancient times. Then you will return at a more brisk pace along the old Roman road to Fort des Buis, stopping at the many viewpoints over the Doubs valley.

This hike starts at Notre-Dame de la Libération, built in 1945, and offers a varied route combining heritage, panoramic views and forest trails. From the very first steps, you can see the old town of Besançon dominated by its citadel, before opening up to the countryside and the Jura mountains. With its steep paths, rocky ridges and wilder sections, this short circuit is no Sunday stroll, but a real hike just a stone's throw from the city centre.

In 1940, the Archbishop of Besançon, Mgr Dubourg, vowed to erect a statue to the Virgin Mary if the city was not destroyed. From this splendid viewpoint overlooking the loop topped by its Citadel, you can continue on your pilgrimage to the Grotte-Ermitage de Saint-Léonard and Notre-Dame-des-Buis, before returning with a spring in your step via the foothills of the Citadel and the Forts des Buis, stopping off at the many viewpoints over the city and other more rugged spots overlooking the Doubs and Mercureaux valleys.

From the Liberation Monument, built in 1945, and its crypt dedicated to the memory of war victims, you can enjoy beautiful views of the city topped by its Citadel on one side and, on a clear day, the Vosges mountains on the other and the Jura ridges. Then, as you walk along the beautiful ridgelines, you will discover views of the valley below and above, with the pretty line of the Besançon mountains: Bregille, Mont Saint-Étienne and its Citadel, Chaudanne and Rosemont.

Du splendide belvédère de Notre-Dame de la Libération, sur la boucle surmontée de sa Citadelle et sur les monts jurassiens, vous poursuivrez par la voie romaine vers la Grotte-Ermitage de Saint-Léonard et reviendrez à la chapelle par les Monts des Buis.

Fans of alpine races who chant the Sambre et Meuse song as they run, move along. If, on the other hand, you like to make long speeches to one of our good old Montbéliard cows encountered along the way and find them very witty, if you like to trudge along our Cambrousard trails, then enjoy the charm of this peaceful walk along the Mercureaux stream where, it is said, a temple dedicated to the god Mercury stood in ancient times.

This route allows you to discover Notre-Dame de la Libération with its panoramic view, the Chapelle des Buis and Les Mercureaux, all while walking through the woods.

A short but richly rewarding walk: the Rocher de Valmy and the memorial stele, a tribute to the 16 resistance fighters shot at the Citadel, located on a rocky outcrop (406m) overlooking the valley where the Doubs river forms one of its most charming meanders; the Martelin viewpoint over Avanne and the Côte de Planoise; the Roche Trouée, a gateway to the valley; and finally, the old royal road with more beautiful views of the neighbouring mountains.

This gentle stroll to the Rocher de Valmy, a key site in the Franche-Comté Resistance, offers views of the lower valley where the Doubs river forms one of its most charming meanders. Then, between pastures and beautiful forests, you will discover the Belvédère Martelin overlooking Avanne and the Côte de Planoise, the Roche Trouée, a wild gateway opening onto the valley, and finally, the ruins of Fort de Pugey, the Grotte de Malpertuis and the massive, distant silhouette of Mont Poupet.

In just five kilometres, you will discover Notre-Dame de la Libération, overlooking Besançon from its altitude of 500 metres, built in gratitude for the city's preservation during the last war. Then you will cross the Monts des Buis, climbing towards wilder viewpoints over the Doubs valley.

This route will allow you to discover the countryside and woods of the villages of Geneuille and Cussey-sur-l'Ognon. The route is not difficult and follows well-marked paths and forest roads.

From the ancient Fontaine de Janniet, lost in the depths of the woods where, perhaps, the Vouivre dragon once gazed at its reflection in its green waters, you will plunge into the wild freshness of the Nacra valley. Then, slipping under the ruins of the old castle, accompanied by the scent of boxwood so characteristic of our limestone mountains, you will return, following the river and climbing back up the mountain via the beautifully named "Chemin du Traîne Bâton" (Walking Stick Path).

This short but intense hike will take you to a series of historical sites, including the military fort at Pugey, the ruins of Arguel Feudal Castle and the Valmy Monument, a memorial to the members of the Guy Mocquet resistance group who were shot at the citadel, as well as natural sites such as Malpertuis Cave, the Arguel Castle viewpoint, the viewpoint towards the Chère cave, the surprising Roche Trouée in the Martelin woods and finally the Valmy Monument viewpoint, which overlooks Besançon and the entire valley, from the Vosges to Burgundy.

This hike offers magnificent views of the Doubs valley and its contrasting hills: warlike with the ruins of the feudal castle of Montferrand, peaceful with the protective Virgin of Notre-Dame du Mont. You will walk along a beautiful, rocky ridge, punctuated by numerous viewpoints over the valley.

Head towards the Chapelle des Buis and Notre-Dame de la Libération viewpoints overlooking the city of Besançon and its citadel via a ridge path scented with boxwood, running alongside the walls of an old abandoned fort and the charming little Mercureaux valley.

The Montfaucon valley, watched over by its thousand-year-old keep, is undoubtedly one of the most charming places near Besançon, with its ruins reminiscent of "German Romanticism". You can explore it via the cool, wild and remote Nacra and the sylvan fountain of La Dhuit, where you can imagine the Vouivre dragon reflecting in its green waters.

A few hours in a peaceful area. The terrain is hilly, with views stretching far into the distance. We discover villages with their beautiful fountains and wash houses. We finish at the feudal mound and its discovery trail.

During this walk, you will pass through almost 1,000 years of military history, from the ruins of the old medieval castle to the Woirol military fort, built at the end of the 19th century, enjoying numerous views of the Bisontine valley and, on a clear day in the early morning or evening, the Bernese Oberland Alps and Mont Blanc.

Peaceful downhill hike through the Montfaucon valley to the feudal castle perched on its rocky outcrop. Then from a lost fountain to a forgotten fountain, you will go through and, no doubt, appreciate the wild freshness of the Nacra steephead valley.

You will descend the wooded hillside of Nacra via a path that is barely visible in autumn, hidden under the leaves, but charming and lined with daffodils in spring, where you may catch a glimpse of the Vouivre dragon reflected in the green waters of the old Janniet fountain. You will discover views of the valley below and above, with the pretty line of the Besançon mountains: Bregille, Mont Saint-Étienne and its citadel, Chaudanne and Rosemont.

Hike starting in the village, then through the Chalèze woods to reach the Arcier springs. The return journey is along the Doubs river via the cycle path.

The municipality of Thise and the March'en Thise Association have mapped out four trails in the Bois de Thise to showcase different aspects of this woodland, including the one described here: the 10 km red trail, known as the Sentier des Dolines.

The town of Thise and the March'en Thise Association have marked out four paths in the Bois de Thise to showcase different aspects of the woods, including the one described here: the Sentier Noir, known as the Sentier de Rufille.

Hike through the defensive wall of Montfaucon, a system of fortifications essential to the defence of Besançon. Built between 1870 and 1889 on a cliff, the site overlooks the city at an altitude of 617 metres. For walkers with less of a military bent, you will enjoy this woodland walk with its views of the Doubs valley, the Citadel, the Jura Mountains and, on a clear day, the Alps, from the Bernese Oberland to Mont Blanc.

A short, easy and very pleasant walk in the Ognon valley where, depending on the season, you will see swans, ducks, moorhens, herons and many other birds at the water's edge and animals at the edge of the forest. Apart from passing through the villages, the paths cross peaceful countryside, a true haven of peace.

Between forest paths and old walls covered in ivy, this hike immerses you in nature and heritage: from the Vue des Alpes viewpoint to the cliffs overlooking the Doubs valley, the route offers panoramic views of the Citadel, the Jura Mountains and the Saône plain. Along the way, history unfolds: Fort Woirol, marked by a tragic explosion, the optical post and its anti-aircraft batteries, as well as the imposing remains of the feudal castle, testimony to a rich medieval past.

Hike in the forest around Dannemarie-sur-Crète

From Bonnay church, you will climb up to this beautiful line of cornices overlooking the Ognon valley to reach the Fort de la Dame Blanche viewpoint over the Vosges, following in the footsteps of the disturbing woman who haunts these places after dark. Then, from the ancient fortifications, you will descend via a wild path towards the valley and its villages with their beautiful fountains, returning to Bonnay and its castle via the old Tacot road.

This hike offers magnificent views of the Doubs valley and its contrasting hills: warrior-like with the ruins of the feudal castle of Montferrand, peaceful with the protective Virgin of Notre-Dame du Mont, and will lead you through bucolic me anders towards the beautifully named Notre-Dame de l'Assomption des Champs, protecting you from demonic medieval gargoyles.

This hike offers magnificent views of the Doubs valley and its contrasting hills: warlike with the ruins of the feudal castle of Montferrand, peaceful with the protective Virgin of Notre-Dame du Mont, all while travelling along a beautiful ridge line.

A short climb to warm up your legs and discover two villages and exceptional views over the Doubs and Loue valleys, the Chapel of Notre-Dame du Mont, overlooking the valley, the Château de Thoraise above the river, the feudal castle of Montferrand and its medieval keep overlooking the meanders and, on the horizon, Besançon. Then a more leisurely return via the towpath, along the banks of the Doubs in the protective shade of the ruins.

Visit the ruins of Montferrand le Château castle.

Visit the Notre-Dame-du-Mont Chapel in Thoraise. Superb view of the Doubs and Montferrand Castle.

Discover Thoraise, its narrow streets and ancient postern gates, its castle and the banks of the Doubs. Then climb up to the Notre-Dame du Mont viewpoint overlooking the valley and the keep of the feudal castle of Montferrand, ending finally at the Thoraise breakthrough and the Monsieur canal.

Discover panoramic views of the Doubs valley, the Chapel of Notre-Dame du Mont and, dominating the valley, the feudal castle of Montferrand and its medieval keep overlooking the meanders. Then a picturesque steep path will take you down through a beautiful forest of slender trees to the Canal Monsieur dit la Percée de Thoraise, a 185-metre tunnel dating from 1810.