Pont-De-Roide: Nature, Hiking and History

Pont-De-Roide offers a range of activities for your stay, including nature, outdoor pursuits, history and local production. At Site des Roches, the focus is on views across the Doubs Valley and protected nature. The Batterie des Roches offers a fortification and the opportunity to visit a historic building. At Mont Julien, you can also find a climbing site and the history of a church dating from before the year 1000. La Maison Barbier adds smoked products and tours of its production workshops by appointment. You can therefore plan your trip around the topics that interest you most.

Site des Roches: Views and Nature

At Site des Roches, a viewpoint offers views across the Doubs Valley. The nature reserve covers 62 hectares of rocky grassland and is home to eight protected plant species. Hiking, climbing and mountain biking are also possible at Site des Roches. The site is also suitable for observing post-nuptial bird migration. Nature observation and outdoor activities offer different ways to enjoy the area: you can focus on the plants and bird migration, or make one of the activities mentioned your priority.

Plan a Hike or Climbing Trip

For a specific hike, consider the “Brisepoutot et la Batterie des Roches” circular route. It is 14.7 kilometres long, takes about five hours and involves 527 metres of ascent and 527 metres of descent. These details answer different planning questions: the distance tells you the length of the route, the approximate duration gives you a timeframe, and the elevation gain and loss add information about the elevation profile. This lets you consider the distance, time and ascent and descent separately.

Climbing is one possible activity at Site des Roches; Mont Julien is a compact limestone climbing site with 23 routes. Climbing and setting up climbing routes there are prohibited from 15 February to 15 June. This closure period is essential to consider when planning a climbing trip to Mont Julien. Also check local conditions before climbing.

Batterie des Roches and Mont Julien

The Batterie des Roches was built from March 1877 to June 1879. Together with three auxiliary batteries, it forms an important part of the Lomont defensive system. The battery offers panoramic views across the Doubs Valley, as well as the opportunity to visit a historic building. Climbing and hiking are also possible there.

An earlier historical trace leads to Mont Julien: the first church of Chatey was built before the year 1000 on the ruins of a pagan temple inside the castle at the summit. This places early church history and the battery’s construction in the late 19th century side by side as distinctly different periods.

Smoked Products at La Maison Barbier

La Maison Barbier specialises in smoked products smoked with softwood. Tours of the production workshops are available by appointment. If you would like to include this insight into the production process, arrange your visit with La Maison Barbier in advance.

More Destinations

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