Valay walks

Welcome to Valay, a pretty village in Haute-Saône, surrounded by countryside and forests.Set off to explore its peaceful setting, typical of rural villages in the region, thanks to the "Entre Forges et Forêts" trail and its three loops:- The Tacot loop to the east of the village will take you close to the fortified castle, then into the forest, following the old railway line for 7 km.- You can extend your walk with the Sainte-Cécile loop, which will take you 6 km to the ruins of an old abbey and the commune of La Résie-Saint-Martin.- Finally, the La Fresse loop will take you to discover the village's iconic sites, while crossing a wooded section on a 4.8 km route.

Remains of Gallo-Roman buildings have been found in Marnay. However, the commune was not mentioned until 1210. A gate and some remains of the old surrounding walls are still visible. A few elements of the feudal castle also remain, including the drawbridge and two turrets. The old town also has many houses dating from the 15th and 16th centuries. The current town hall dates from the Renaissance.The castle overlooking the Ognon valley was rebuilt in the 16th century but has been extensively remodelled since then.Finally, the Gothic church dates from the 14th and 17th centuries. The 20-hectare lake is home to many animal and plant species.

This route will take you along the banks of the Saône and to the mouth of the Marne-Saône canal.Take time to look at the lock-keeper's houses and the locks. Maybe you'll see swans, herons and cranes. Beautiful views of cattle farms and meadows.Just before you return to the starting point, you'll pass over the Pont de Garde, close to the two dams on the Saône and the last lock on the route.

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, following in the footsteps of Marquis Claude François Dorothée de Jouffroy d'Abbans, naval architect and designer of the steamboat, will take you between the Loue and Doubs rivers, from oratories to churches, in the heart of our devout Comtois countryside, leaving you time to meditate on the twilight paths of our wooded mountains.

The Échappée Jurassienne is an invitation to discover, step by step, the striking diversity of the Jura Mountains. This 15-day itinerary links the west to the east, from the plains to the mountains, crossing the unspoilt landscapes of the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park, far from the borders and close to the essentials. From the peaceful canals of Dole, the trail winds its way through the most iconic sites of the Jura: the Cirque de Baume, lakes, remote valleys, viewpoints and deep forests, before ending majestically in Saint-Claude, a town nestled in the heart of the mountains. Over the course of these 311 km, this itinerary becomes much more than a hike: it is a true distillation of the most exceptional things the Jura has to offer. The richness of the landscapes, the contrasts in altitude and the authenticity of the villages you encounter allow everyone to surpass themselves, immerse themselves fully in the wild beauty and reconnect with the essentials.

First stage of the Échappée Jurassienne. This stage starts off relatively easily. Leaving Dole station, you walk through the narrow streets of the town centre of Dole, birthplace of Louis Pasteur, nicknamed "Little Venice" because it is crossed by the River Doubs, which gives it all its charm.Then, inthe second part of the route, you will find some cool shade in the Chaux forest before reaching the village of Vieille-Loye, built in the heart of a cleared clearing, once part of thesecond largest deciduous forest in France.

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.

"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 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.

Second stage of the Échappée Jurassienne. The first 12 kilometres of this route are sheltered by the Chaux forest. Pay close attention to the signposts so you don't get lost! As you leave the edge of the woods, you will discover an architectural gem: the village of Arc-et-Senans, home to the Royal Saltworks, which will take you on a journey through the history of salt in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region.

They will guide you through times gone by that are nevertheless at the origin of the unique landscape of Chenecey and Buillon. The activities of yesteryear explain today's landscapes: a strong identity and a rich and diverse memory that has been built up over time and passed down from generation to generation.Through a digital app, just like those who came before you, you are invited by the monks of the former Cistercian abbey and the famous painter James Tissot to leave the hustle and bustle of the village behind and enter places that invite you to relax and contemplate. Ten stations will allow you to discover places that are inaccessible to the public, as they were in their heyday. Human relationships, self-awareness, art and connections with nature have evolved over time and in line with the challenges of each era. Through this retrospective journey, this walk invites you to reflect on the future of these places.

Natural site with four viewpoints over the Jura Mountains and the Cussey valley, a corniche and dry grasslands. Places of interest: the Cussey fountain and wash house, Echay, a typical village in the Lison valley.

A peaceful walk in the Lison valley with its sandstone cliffs and three viewpoints. You will discover two typical Comtois villages, Echay and Cussey sur Lison, and its remote hamlet.

Another circular walk around Lizine taking you to beautiful viewpoints and past the limestone pavement.