Sancey-le-Long walks

Hike between Sancey-le-Long and Belvoir, two towns in the Franche-Comté region with lots of character and superb panoramic views of the valley and Lomont.

Jeanne-Antide Thouret, born in Sancey on 27 November 1765, was a determined and committed woman who devoted her life to the most disadvantaged, notably by founding a charity in Besançon to help the poor by providing lodges and meals; this charity is still active today and is known as the “Fourneau économique boutique Jeanne-Antide”. She did the same in Naples. Inspired by the Daughters of Charity, her community works to provide education, care and support for the most vulnerable... Beatified in 1926 and canonised in 1934 by Pope Pius XI, she left behind a lasting and eternal legacy of solidarity... To mark the bicentenary of her death (in 1826), a trail has been dedicated to her, guiding us in her footsteps back to her early days in the Sancey valley.

"In the shade" is a misnomer for this route, which takes you along beautiful sunny forest paths, bordering pastures and woods, to the fortified castle of Belvoir, overlooking the Val de Sancey. Don't forget to visit the old village, centred around its 14th-century market halls, but beware of the irreverent Madge-Fâ as you pass underneath. Finally, you will descend into the valley via the Chemin de la Vie à la Mort (Path of Life and Death), no doubt invigorated by this country walk.

Discover ‘Bévoi’, its 14th-century market halls, and its castle, which dominates the Val de Sancey with all its feudal severity, watching you warily as you pass beneath the irreverent Mâdge-Fâ, poised to unleash a few fragrant projectiles. Then, a circular route through the dry grasslands, accompanied by sheep and goats, will lead you to the Sainte-Anne Chapel and its viewpoint, before returning via the charming little wild valley, dominated by the massive and impressive silhouette of the Hautes Roches.

Beautiful view of the valley, goats (dogs not allowed), a chapel with panoramic views, a castle with fortifications and gardens, a covered market with beautiful woodwork and a stone mill. There are few landmarks, so a GPS track is recommended.

After visiting the source, you will climb to the Dard viewpoint, located at an altitude of 600 metres above Sancey-le-Grand, overlooking the valley with the Château de Belvoir and the Lomont mountain range crowned by fifteen wind turbines in the background. Then, from this magnificent rocky amphitheatre, a sunny valley will lead you to the wild cliffs of the Cul de Voye.

From Rosières, the gateway between the Pays de Montbéliard and the Pays Horloger, you will descend towards the steep-sided Barbèche valley to reach the former Champ du Moulin inn, which has been converted into a pottery workshop. Then, climbing back up towards Péseux, you will enjoy wide open spaces as you discover the Lomont valley and its villages, then Montchevriez with its 180° panorama.

(!) User comment on 8 August 2025 => the extension of the wind farm means that this trail is closed to the public due to construction work (scheduled to end in November 2026). Hiking impossible due to construction work Discover some of the wind turbines at Lomont de Valonne in Vyt-lès-Belvoir. Beautiful view of Sancey, its surroundings and the Chasseral.

From the 860-metre-high Peu hill, you can enjoy a 270° panorama of the surrounding and distant mountains, and see 27 bell towers in the Doubs department. Nestled in lush greenery, the Grotte des Bougeottes is also steeped in history. It served as a refuge during the troubled times of the Ten Years' War and the Revolution.

A moderately difficult hike offering panoramic views of the Doubs countryside.

Starting from the charming little village of Vaucluse, Val Clos, this hike offers superb views of the Dessoubre valley, starting with the Baron's viewpoint, then the Cul de Vau valley and finally Vaucluse and its former priory, not to mention the various balconies overlooking the valley that you will pass along the way.

Three highlights of this hike: the superb view from Le Chaufaud over the valley and mountains surrounding the Dessoubre; the Belvédère viewpoint over Rosureux nestled at the bottom of the valley and the surprising Creux de Hauteroche gorge; the return via the sunny meadows with a panoramic view of the neighbouring mountains, ending at the ancient 18th-century wooden cross at the Chapelle Saint-Claude chapel.

After a magnificent view of the Dessoubre valley, you will discover the surprising Creux de Hauteroche gorge carved into the rocky cliffs to reach the viewpoint over Rosureux. Return through the fir forests and the surprising rock shelter of Sous la Goutte.

You will walk in the footsteps of Xavier Bourqueney, the Lomont hunter who survived the ferocious charge of a wounded boar and, in gratitude for his life being spared, built the Sainte-Anne Chapel, which overlooks Crosey-le-Grand and the Comté countryside, which has probably hardly changed since the end of the 17th century. Then, in two strides, you will find yourself in the midst of modernity, at the foot of impressive wind turbines. A sunny country walk.

This country walk starts in Lanthenans, a small village in the Comté region hidden away in the countryside, and takes you over hills and through valleys to the Roche du Châtelard viewpoint overlooking Lomont and the Doubs valley. The return route takes you through airy woods, which Marcel Aymé might have described as "the forest is still a little bit of paradise lost. God did not want the first garden to be wiped out by the first sin."

(!) Read Practical Information. A balanced route between countryside and forests to discover the Dessoubre from the heights of Bretonvillers. Then, returning to the valley via paths winding between fir trees and rocks, you will walk along the river, stopping at the old mill.

This route will allow you to admire the fountains and flower beds of the village of Goux-lès-Dambelin. Magnificent views of the wind turbines, the Doubs valley and the Vosges mountains.

A viewpoint, memorial, waterfalls and wood carvings line this woodland trail, which reaches an altitude of 949 metres.

View of the wind turbines, the Vosges mountains and the Roches de Pont de Roide. An easy hike through fields, which may be subject to change.

The Dessoubre valley, where many water mills once sang, has now regained its wild freshness. Starting from Saint-Julien-lès-Russey, you will descend towards the Ribeau and Château valleys and their jagged rocks along beautiful, cool, shaded paths to discover a rich and generous natural environment.