Saône walks

Hike in the Saône Marshes, following the water loop and the natural environment loop. Varied terrain with ponds, dry pastures and wetlands.

This easy loop takes hikers on a journey of discovery through forests, pastures and preserved wetlands. You will pass through the typical hamlet of La Couvre, peaceful woods and pretty wooden pontoons will lead you to the ponds of Prés Neufs, La Vaivre, and Creux sous Roche, which drains water from the Bisontins to the source of Arcier. The route offers a variety of settings: old farms, romantic ruins, streams and clearings. Between the reflections on the water, the croaking of frogs and the rural landscapes, the walk charms visitors with its diversity and tranquillity. Accessible to all, it is an ideal nature walk for families.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Hike to discover several viewpoints on the outskirts of Besançon.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

This is a challenging hike offering three viewpoints over the Doubs valley and its meanders, the Val de Roulans, the Jura mountains and, on a clear day, Mont Blanc. You will visit the two villages in the valley, Laissey and Deluz, which are peaceful today but still echo with the industrious sounds of the old mines and paper mills, and enjoy their genuine and simple riches: here a naive war memorial, there an ancient forgotten cul-de-four oven or an old wash house.

Walk to the Chapel of Aigremont in Roulans and the viewpoint overlooking the Doubs on the Laissey side.