Rancenay walks

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A walk through woods and countryside to discover the little valley tucked away between the two hills of Moulin Caillet and, climbing the beautifully named Chemin de l’Essart du Loup, the Monument de Vorges, in memory of the poor, long-forgotten soldiers of 1870. Return to Busy with lovely views of the keep at Montferrand and the Besançon hills.

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.

This forest walk is ideal for an autumn morning, when you can surprise a few peaceful chamois in secret clearings and discover the superb Grand Méandre viewpoint over the Loue valley and the keep of the feudal castle of Chenecey, emerging from the forest. Return via the Chalet d'Arguel and pastures that will sharpen your sense of direction.

A forest walk, ideal for an autumn morning, where you might spot a few peaceful chamois in the depths of secret glades and discover, emerging from the forest setting, the superb Grand Méandre viewpoint over the Loue valley and the keep of the feudal castle of Chenecey.

A short, easy walk to explore the villages of Pugey and Arguel via the ridges.

Visit the ruins of Montferrand le Château castle.

"To the south, there was no need for walls of wood or stone: the seigneurial tower spread its mismatched wings at the top of a steep cliff at the foot of which flows the Loue. The tranquil river continues to lap at the rocky escarpment, drawing the same green loops on the earth as it has done since time immemorial," writes Carole Martinez in her book Du domaine des murmures. Come and listen to the murmur of the Loue in the shadow of the ancient castle.

You will walk peacefully along the river towards Chenecey, with its old church and picturesque 18th-century turreted house, then climb up to the hidden ruins of the 9th-century feudal castle of Charencey, which dominates the village and the Loue valley. Finally, you will end your walk at the Grand Méandre viewpoint overlooking the valley and the castle keep, where you may even spot some chamois.

A circular walk in the Thoraise plain, with no difficulty whatsoever. The first circular route takes you along the Doubs and past the military camp, then through the Monsieur Canal tunnel. The second loop takes you upstream along the cycle route, followed by a visit to the picturesque site of La Pierre de Vorges, with a return route through the woods. You can also see the Convent of Bethany on the opposite bank and the site of the canal tunnel. There is also a fine view of the ruins of Montferrand Castle.

A stroll along the ridge separating the Loue Valley and that of the river Doubs and then along the banks of the Doubs with a panoramic view of the Château de Montferrand ruins.

A forest and countryside walk, accompanied by the Montferrand keep and the Bisontin mountains, down the beautifully named Chemin de l'Essart du Loup, an old cart track, to discover the Monument de Vorges in memory of the long-forgotten poor biffins of 70, a gypsum factory and the small valley of Moulin Caillet lost between two mountains.

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.

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.

From the village of Arguel, dominated by a jagged rocky outcrop, you will descend into the valley, following the small gorges of La Pisseur, its three waterfalls and its miniature ravine. You will pass beneath the Bout du Monde waterfall and along an ancient Roman road and a ledge path to discover a superb viewpoint over the Doubs valley. You will climb up the sunny Mercureaux valley towards Saint-Pierre, not to Paradise, but towards Fort Rolland and the ruins of the feudal castle.

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.

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.

See Practical Information. Besançon, France's first green city, surrounded by wooded hills, is a city in the countryside. This route, from the Malcombe sports complex to Fort de Planoise, will convince you. You will climb picturesque and peaceful paths to two belvederes and cabordes, dry stone huts that bear witness to a time when vineyards stretched across our hillsides.

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.

This is a short hike on the outskirts of Besançon, but it offers the Cascade du Bout du Monde waterfall, an ancient Roman road, superb views of the Doubs valley, the Bois de Peu and its wooded valleys with slender trees and wild rocky crevices that cut into the cliffs. Not bad at all!

A short, challenging walk to climb up to the Combe des Œillets vineyard huts, these dry-stone structures built without mortar, where winegrowers stored their tools, took shelter during storms and sometimes slept when working late. Return via the Rosemont viewpoint overlooking the upper Doubs valley and the Jura mountains.

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.

An urban hike, you might say, but one which, as you climb Rosemont and La Roche d’Or, will offer you a wealth of nature just a stone’s throw from the old town and the new town, with its steep cliff-top paths, the beautifully named Combe de l'Oeillet, its old cabordes, and its scree slopes formed by the natural weathering of the cliffs and the piles of stones left by our forebears, who cultivated our Besançon hillsides in terraces.

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.

From Virgin to Virgin, not forgetting the big bad wolves, you will discover a superb panorama of the Doubs valley and its contrasting hills: warlike with the ruins of Montferrand Castle, peaceful with the protective Virgin of Notre-Dame du Mont, commercial with the Percée de Thoraise. As you climb the Éssart du Loup, you can dream of those distant times when the simple, tranquil beauty of our Comtois landscapes could be disturbed by sinister encounters.

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.

A ruined feudal castle dating from the 9th century overlooking the village and the Loue valley, the ruins of Charencey Castle are listed as a Historic Monument. From the church, located on the banks of the Loue, you will climb up to these secret ruins, continuing through a beautiful forest, perhaps imagining that you will come across a team of oxen pulling a cart up to the castle. Finally, you will return through the sunny pastures overlooking the valley.

A family hike around Chenecey, punctuated with information panels about the natural environment and clues left behind by the Vouivre. In the exceptional landscape of the Loue Valley, set off on an exploration to discover a diverse and preserved natural heritage. It can all be explained by a karst landscape shaped over time, so ancient that it is home to a strange mythological creature. For younger visitors, the trail comes with an explorer's notebook full of puzzles. This booklet is available for free in the booklet box at the start of the trail by the church and from local shops (the Loue bakery, Chez Gervais restaurant, the post office and the town hall). You will need a pencil.

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.

From Chenecey church, you will climb up to the solitary ruins of Charencey Castle overlooking the Grand Méandre de la Loue. From valleys to hills, you will continue through a vast, bright forest and meadows lost deep in the woods, reaching the riverbank to return to the village.

This is a lovely walk that starts in the Franois woods, where you will find pretty wooden buildings belonging to the nursery school on either side of the path. Then, via a small path through the forest, you will reach the equestrian centre. You will follow the Pirey ridge path, with a view of the "shooting range". You will cross Mont de Pouilley, with its military ruins, its old aviary and its view of the village. Then return to the starting point in Serre.

"The seigneurial tower spreads its mismatched wings at the top of a steep cliff at the foot of which flows the Loue. The tranquil river continues to lap at the rocky escarpment, striving to draw the same circular patterns on the earth as it always has," writes Carole Martinez. A walk rich in discoveries: old-fashioned farms, a fountain entwined with mossy walls, an old forge and, the highlight, the Grand Méandre de la Loue and its thousand-year-old sentinel, the keep of Charencey.

Via the Rosemont ledges, offering views over the Besançon hills topped by the massive, distant silhouette of Mont Poupet, you will climb up to the winegrowers’ huts of the Combe de l’Œillet, these dry-stone constructions built without mortar where winegrowers stored their tools and sought shelter from storms. You will descend back into the valley via these scree slopes, formed by the natural weathering of the cliffs and the piles of stones left by our ancestors who cultivated the terraced hills of the Besançon region. Then, one final effort to climb the Roche d’Or and return via the Chemin de l’Œillet and its houses nestled in the greenery of our city, which knows how to embrace its rural side.

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.