La Chenalotte: Church History and Routes

La Chenalotte combines local and church history with hiking and cycling trails. Old Comtois farmhouses are part of the village’s picturesque centre, while the former Tacot railway is represented by the station at Clos de la Vie, a historic landmark. There is also a small stream and a local tradition centred on the Sapin-Président. The result is a meeting of architectural history, a former rail connection, landscapes and a variety of routes. If you’re looking for a hotel for a trip to La Chenalotte, your interests can shape your stay—for example, local history, a hike or cycling.

Church and Local History

La Chenalotte’s church was built between 1624 and 1630. Jeanne Blessemaille founded it in honour of Saint Urbain. Its construction dates and dedication give the building a specific historical significance. The old Comtois farmhouses are also part of the picturesque village centre, adding a glimpse of local rural architecture to its church history. The porch of the bell tower at Saint-Claude Church offers another distinctive detail: it houses two bells.

The Tacot railway line connected Morteau and Trévillers from 1905 to 1952. The line was closed on 1 April 1952. The station at Clos de la Vie is the last remnant of this connection. This clearly establishes the former railway link, its dates and its historical significance to La Chenalotte.

Hiking and Cycling: Different Routes

Two hikes are available, each with different details. The Bief-Noir loop is 11.6 kilometres long and takes 3 hours and 30 minutes. It starts and ends at the church in La Chenalotte. Another hiking trail runs from La Chenalotte to Saut du Doubs and takes about two hours to reach its destination. The details answer different planning questions: for Bief Noir, you know the distance, duration and that it’s a loop; for the route to Saut du Doubs, the focus is on the approximate time to reach the destination.

The cycling routes also come in different formats. The Les Belles Seignes No. 51A mountain bike loop passes through La Chenalotte on the return leg. The Grande Traversée du Jura Cyclo is a cycling route that runs entirely on roads and also passes through La Chenalotte. So the first thing to consider when choosing is the type of cycling route you prefer: a route designated as a mountain bike loop or a road-based route.

Nature and Local Traditions

The small stream Les Belles Seignes runs through La Chenalotte. The area’s natural heritage also extends beyond the village: four nationally protected butterfly species associated with peat bogs have been recorded in the bogs of Bélieu, Noël-Cerneux, Le Bizot, La Chenalotte and Narbief. This refers to peat bogs in several municipalities and connects La Chenalotte to a wider landscape.

Another local feature is the Sapin-Président. The municipality of La Chenalotte, in the canton of Cornaix, has had a Sapin-Président since June 2007. It is often marked on maps or walking trails and is a popular destination for walks. This gives the local tradition its own place alongside the village’s church and railway heritage.

Plan Your Stay Around Your Interests

When planning your trip, you could first consider what interests you most: the church and village setting, the former railway connection, a hike with a clearly stated distance, or a cycling route in a particular format. This helps you pin down the purpose of your trip before comparing hotels for a stay in La Chenalotte.

Discover more destinations: Brey-Et-Maison-Du-Bois, Le Russey, Chapelle-Des-Bois, Lods, Bremondans, Mouthier-Haute-Pierre, Geney, Charquemont.

Go to the main travel overview: Doubs.