Saint-Martin-en-Bresse walks

Set off to explore the church of Villegaudin, a testament to the village’s past, walk near the Étang de Villegaudin, a haven of biodiversity, and finish at the Moulin de Gabrot, a former private mill nestled on the banks of the Cosne. A walk rich in nature and local heritage!

The Sentier de la Vivelle is an invitation to unwind in the heart of nature. This circular forest path, particularly suitable for families and Sunday outings, crosses the Bois de Guerfand. The route is shaded and flat, making it accessible to all, including young children. It is an ideal route for discovering the local flora and enjoying the tranquillity of a preserved woodland.

This walk takes you past two landmarks of local history: Montcoy Castle, visible from the path and a feature of the Burgundian Bresse landscape, and the Guerfand motte, the remains of an ancient medieval fortified site. It is a walk combining nature and heritage.

The Grand Pâquier Trail links the village of Damerey on the banks of the Saône, crossing a wet meadow classified as a Natura 2000 site. Along this themed trail, you’ll meet Élizabeth the Egret, the mascot, who playfully guides you as you discover the elements that make up the landscape and its diverse forms of life. Puzzles are provided at each totem.

Starting from the hamlet of La Madeleine, this historic path immerses you in a place steeped in history. Here, on 8 and 9 March 1944, a group of resistance fighters based in the surrounding forests was taken by surprise and surrounded, leading to fierce fighting in the woods, the fields and right into the heart of the village. This site commemorates the sacrifice of four resistance fighters and three residents of the hamlet, including the Jouvenceau brothers. As a tribute, a memorial has been erected using stones from the burnt-out houses, ensuring the memory of these events lives on. It is a moving stop, combining heritage, nature and the duty to remember.

This walk invites you to discover the local heritage: the Saugy wash house, once the heart of the hamlet; the Saône sluice gate, which regulates the river’s level; and the Caillet wash house, nestled in lush greenery. A stroll through nature and the village’s history.

The Grand Bois de Pontoux trail is a particularly easy walk, almost entirely shaded. It’s the perfect outing for a refreshing break in the heart of nature, whilst strolling through a magnificent collection of unspoilt ponds. A rejuvenating getaway not to be missed!

This walk along the Doubs takes you to the site where the remains of a 17th-century boat mill were discovered, a unique testament to the ingenuity of millers of yesteryear. The route also passes close to Île du Château, a preserved sensitive natural area rich in wildlife and birds.

An overview of Allerey-sur-Saône, a medieval crossroads. Its listed church, with its picturesque frescoes and its "castle". The remains of a watermill spanning the Dheune. You will cross the American Camp, where a military camp existed during the First World War. Its inexhaustible wash house. The remains of the bridge, destroyed during the Second World War, which linked Allerey sur Saône to Verdun sur le Doubs via "Le Petit Chauvort".

This walk invites you to discover Saint-Grégoire Church, recognisable by its imperial-style bell tower, as well as the large-scale lock at Écuelles, a major structure for navigation on the Saône. The route also crosses the meadows of the Val de Saône, a refuge for the Eurasian curlew.

The Tremblay Trail is a historic and picturesque circular route in the heart of the Doubs plain, completely flat and ideal for the whole family. The route invites you to discover a rich local heritage, from the church of Navilly and its neo-Gothic style to the magnificent Romanesque church of Pontoux, passing close to the remarkable18th-century Navilly Bridge, which spans the Doubs.

The “Entre pièces et rivières” trail invites walkers to discover Saint-Martin Church, notable for its half-timbered walls, and Saint-Grégoire-le-Grand Church, easily recognisable by its Franche-Comté-style bell tower with glazed tiles. Along the route lies the hamlet of Chazelle, where horses and cattle graze peacefully in the meadows in summer.

An easy family walk! This flat route, accessible to all, crosses the Palleau State Forest, a protected site listed as a Natura 2000 area. You’ll walk in the shade of a large deciduous forest. One of the jewels of the Palleau Forest’s wildlife is undoubtedly its bird population, with a remarkable diversity and density of certain species. For example, the density of middle spotted woodpeckers is one of the highest in France. The Palleau Forest is actively managed by the National Forestry Office (ONF). Forestry in the area is based on sustainable and responsible management, where timber production is balanced with the preservation of ecological riches. Thanks to selective high-forest management and natural regeneration, the forest maintains its biodiversity whilst meeting local economic needs.

The Sentier des Hérons is a family-friendly circular walk, very easy and entirely flat, starting from Palleau town hall. The route follows the Bouzaize river before joining the Chemin du Meuzin, which marks the natural border with the Côte-d’Or. Along the way, you will see fields of miscanthus, a perennial herbaceous plant used for mulching, fuel and animal bedding. Miscanthus helps to improve wildlife biodiversity in the areas where it is grown. Studies have shown that planting miscanthus helps to encourage the presence of certain species. Furthermore, the plant is harvested outside the nesting season, ensuring that it does not disrupt the birds’ natural rhythm.

Renowned for the diversity of its landscapes and the multitude of animal species it is home to, the Lower Doubs Valley forms part of the European network of the most prestigious natural areas: the Natura 2000 network. Over 160 bird species have been recorded across this protected area, including the European bee-eater, the bluethroat, the common tern, the whinchat and the kingfisher.

This walk takes you to the Moulin d’Hauterive, founded inthe 12th century by the monks of Cîteaux, and then along the route of an ancient Roman road linking Lyon to Trier. A walk through the history and landscapes of the Burgundian countryside.