Vieilley walks

From the town hall in Vieilley and its beautiful wash house fountain, you will climb towards the line of ledges overlooking the Ognon valley to reach the Fort de la Dame Blanche viewpoint over the Vosges, hopefully without encountering that unsettling woman who haunts these places after dark. Then, from the old fortifications, you’ll descend via a wild path towards the valley.

From Bonnay church, you will climb up to this beautiful line of cornices overlooking the Ognon valley to reach the Fort de la Dame Blanche viewpoint over the Vosges, following in the footsteps of the disturbing woman who haunts these places after dark. Then, from the ancient fortifications, you will descend via a wild path towards the valley and its villages with their beautiful fountains, returning to Bonnay and its castle via the old Tacot road.

Viewpoint, castle, wash houses, banks of the Ognon, nature reserve pond: discover Perrouse and Buthiers.

This walk allows you to discover: - Moncey Castle, former property of Marshal Moncey, who was Marshal of the Empire under Napoleon, - the restored old centre of the village of Moncey, its old railway station and its greenway, which follows the old railway line, - and a walk through the forest in the mountains, then across the village of Venise, with the option of walking around the lagoon to discover its flora and fauna.

This circular route starts from Voray, Place de l’Église. You can also enjoy the water sports on offer along the banks of the Ognon (canoeing and kayaking, swimming).

This route forms a circular route shaped like a butterfly. It starts at the church in Voray and passes through the villages of Buthiers, Villers-le-Temple, Breurey, Boult, Montarlot-les-Rioz, La Lotière and Boulot.Discover the cultural heritage of the Haute-Saône region with the castles of Buthiers, Boult and Boulot.

The Fisherman of the Grand Châfo: thrills and adventures along the Ognon! This is an educational trail. In Voray-sur-L’Ognon, a legend has long been told… That of the Grand Châfo, a monstrous catfish lurking in the river, capable of snatching perch and pike in an instant!Join Désiré, a brave fisherman, in his incredible battle against this legendary monster, and discover a world where courage, mystery and laughter come together by the water’s edge.Take your children along the trail and experience, together, this thrilling adventure, full of twists and turns and magic, in the heart of nature!

An easy forest walk leading to the Fort de la Dame Blanche from the Grandes Baraques car park. From the fort, the view over the Ognon Valley is splendid.

This is a forest walk in the Chailluz Forest, whose name comes from "chaille", a rock similar to flint, which our ancestors used to make arrowheads. You will climb up to the beautiful line of cornices overlooking the Ognon valley to reach the Fort de la Dame Blanche viewpoint over the Vosges mountains. And as you will no doubt be doing this walk on a beautiful sunny day, you are unlikely to encounter the disturbing lady who haunts these places after dark.

A short, cool, shaded walk to discover the Fontaine des Acacias, one of the only water sources in the Chailluz Forest, carved out at the foot of a small cirque of mossy rocks in a wild sinkhole. Return via the floral trail to another sinkhole: the Creux Vivier.

On the outskirts of Besançon, this entirely woodland hike will take you from the outskirts of Thise to the summit of the Côte de Marchaux via the aptly named Sentier des Dolines, then along various roads and tracks to reach the highest point of the route. The return journey along the ridge line and then along some lovely paths presents no difficulty.

A pleasant walk in the shade of the trees in the Chailluz forest, passing by the Fontaine des Acacias (a forest water source carved into the side of a sinkhole). An easy route through the coniferous woodland.

A very lovely, fairly short walk suitable for everyone, on the hills above the small village of Thise, east of Besançon. Minimal elevation gain, stony path.

Views of Beaupré Castle along an easy, picturesque route east of Thise. Alternative routes available. Wildlife and birdwatching. Picnic, sports and play area. Boules court. Second car park halfway along the route.

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.

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.

From the secluded Fontaine aux Soldats, you’ll climb towards a wild viewpoint overlooking the rocks of the Dame Blanche, passing the ruins of an old mountain hut along the way, following in the footsteps of that eerie woman who haunts these places after dark. You’ll then descend towards a powder magazine and the Fort de Châtillon via peaceful forest paths.

From Châtillon church, you will climb to a wild viewpoint on the rocks of the Dame Blanche, encountering the ruins of an old caborde (stone shelter) along the way. Then, along a beautiful line of cornices overlooking the Ognon valley, you will reach the Fort de la Dame Blanche viewpoint over the Vosges mountains, following in the footsteps of the disturbing woman who haunts these places after dark. From the old fortifications, you will descend towards Châtillon along peaceful forest paths.

A short walk, almost entirely through the forest, very pleasant, very close to Besançon but offering a complete change of scenery and plenty of variety.

An easy walk in the countryside. Mainly on roads or pavements.

Walk in the Chailluz Forest and climb up to the Dame Blanche viewpoint.

A gentle forest walk to the Montoille viewpoint overlooking Deluz and its old paper mill. You'll no doubt find yourself whistling as you climb the beautifully named Impasse de Chantemerle, but you'll soon need to catch your breath for the strenuous climb to the Grotte de sous Roche and the Château-Loriot viewpoint over the Doubs valley and the Vosges mountains, which will reward you for your efforts. A peaceful, wooded return journey, framed by the mossy rocks of a superb sinkhole.

Hike starting in the village, then through the Chalèze woods to reach the Arcier springs. The return journey is along the Doubs river via the cycle path.

At the gates of Besançon, the waters of the Arcier springs, naturally filtered by the Saône marshes, have supplied the city since the distant Gallo-Roman era. From their green and rocky settings, the babbling waters, gushing from all sides, will restore your bucolic spirit. You will then climb, at a more military pace, to the ruins of the Épesses battery, built in 1878.

A short but challenging walk to discover the Arcier springs that have supplied the city of Besançon since the distant Gallo-Roman era. A gentle warm-up, accompanied by the music of gushing water. Then a lovely climb up the slopes of the Grand Bois, still accompanied by the murmur of the water.

From the sumptuous Château de Vaire-le-Grand, the whim and ruin of Jean-Antoine Boisot, son of a close friend of King Louis XIV, you will climb towards La Roche Blanche. This is an unsecured viewpoint (caution!) over the Doubs valley. You will be taken by surprise by the rustic fountain of Les Tilleuls and descend via the beautiful sunken path lined with wild garlic at La Vacherie. You will then return along the riverbank, in the shade of the Rochers du Château Loriot, to discover the old paper mill.

Near Besançon, discover the beautiful hamlet of Arcier and its water sources, which contribute significantly to the water supply of Besançon and the valley overlooking them, and return via the heights of Chalèze and La Canaie via the Côte de Joux.

The discovery route through three villages in the Comté region, starting in Boult, is a circular route that begins near the centre of the village and returns to its starting point. Boult is a village famous for its terracotta tradition.

Hike in the peaceful woods on the outskirts of Besançon.

Want to go for a walk in the countryside while staying in town? Yes, it's possible!

A circular walk for everyone, starting from the swimming pool car park.

A very pleasant walk to discover the Tounolle, a small, wild river in the forest.

This circular route starts in Boulot, at the Au Zinc bar-restaurant. Enjoy your walk with family or friends, passing by Boulot Castle, the Golot Fountain and the covered wash house in Boulot, which is decorated during festivals.

Aigremont overlooks the Doubs valley. Once crowned by a small fortified castle, legend has it that on these ruins, a shepherd intrigued by the behaviour of his flock—which was drawn to a patch of evergreen grass—discovered a statue of the Virgin Mary. Carried down to the village, it mysteriously returned to its rock, where a chapel was built. You will reach it by following magnificent jagged ledges, discovering from these heights the Jura mountains and, on a clear day, Mont Blanc.

There are plenty of fountains along this forest walk, which will take you scrambling at the foot of high rocks to discover a pretty little valley and forgotten fountains, before returning along a charming circular route of the Doubs.

A beautiful walk for city dwellers seeking nature and sweeping views of the capital of Franche-Comté and its hills, just a stone's throw from the city. It offers superb views of our Citadel and the feudal castle of Montfaucon. Then, just a stone's throw from the noisy city, you will find yourself on quiet paths, accompanied by the scent of boxwood.

Lime production in Chalezeule is a long-standing tradition, dating back to the 12th century; it was the village’s main economic activity, and its name, Calisola, was derived from the word for lime. After exploring the lime kilns, this walk offers superb views of the feudal castle of Montfaucon, the Doubs valley and, following a short detour to the Grand Désert – a vast expanse of scree – our Citadel and the old town nestled within its circular shape. Then, after a fascinating stroll through the fort’s moats, you’ll venture, just a stone’s throw from the bustling town, onto quiet paths, accompanied by the scent of budding boxwood, for a visit to the Grotte du Renard.

Following in the footsteps of our ancestors, let's walk through the countryside to the chasms of the Bois de la Hye, known as the "Bois des Roches". Passage impossible in (10), see notices

The Montfaucon viewpoint over the Doubs valley, the Citadel, the Jura mountains and, on a clear day, Mont Blanc. Fort Woirol, its anti-aircraft batteries, its redoubts and, finally, a lovely view of the ruins of the feudal castle.

Follow the water’s path as it disappears into the underground channels (see ‘During’ section below) at Saône, Gennes and Nancray, only to reappear near Arcier. The footpath and small roads through the woodland will take you from one hillside to the other, offering alternating views of the plateau and the Doubs valley, before you reach the water again at the Arcier springs.

As you make your way down the wild Nacra gorge along a path—timid in autumn, hidden beneath the leaves, but charming and lined with daffodils in spring—you may catch a glimpse of the Vouivre river reflecting in the green waters of the Fontaine de la Dhuit. Then 1,000 years of military history, from Fort Woirol – with its powder magazines, signal post and anti-aircraft batteries – to the feudal castle and, finally, the ‘Belvédère des Alpes’ viewpoint overlooking the Doubs valley, the Citadel and, on a clear day, Mont Blanc.

Hike through the defensive wall of Montfaucon, a system of fortifications essential to the defence of Besançon. Built between 1870 and 1889 on a cliff, the site overlooks the city at an altitude of 617 metres. For walkers with less of a military bent, you will enjoy this woodland walk with its views of the Doubs valley, the Citadel, the Jura Mountains and, on a clear day, the Alps, from the Bernese Oberland to Mont Blanc.

A short walk through the woods to discover these two batteries, which complemented the Fort de Montfaucon completed in 1878. They form part of the first phase of construction of the Besançon fortified camp and are named after the wooded localities in the midst of which they are situated.

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.

The forts of Beauregard and Bregille offer a special walk for residents of Besançon seeking greenery and sweeping views of the capital of Franche-Comté and its hills. They offer superb views of our Citadel. Then, just a stone's throw from the bustling city, you will find yourself on quiet paths, accompanied by the scent of boxwood.

Hike in the Besançon area, allowing you to climb up to Fort de Bregille with a superb view of the city and the citadel.

There are plenty of fountains in Besançon! Some more imposing than others, some more interesting, some steeped in history. Rather than admiring one by chance or even walking past it with complete indifference, why not go on a hunt for the 20 fountains? An urban and cultural stroll that will help you discover Besançon in a fun way.

A peaceful family route near Besançon. Discover a restored caborde (stone shelter) and a wide viewpoint with an orientation table.

Explore Nancray, its water springs, its old mill, the Bois de la Côte, and finally return via the Forêt des Landes. And of course, take the opportunity to visit the Nancray Open-Air Ecomuseum of Comtois Houses, featuring around thirty typical rural houses from Franche-Comté.