Villars-Sous-Écot: History and Trails

When planning a stay in Villars-sous-Écot, you can weigh two interests: the local history of the chapel and church, and routes towards the Mémorial de l'Écot. If you are looking for a hotel, deciding what matters most to you can help with your travel plans: would you like to focus mainly on architectural history, plan a tour, or include both? The historical landmarks span the former chapel through to the church built in 1757; the routes vary in their course, length and rating.

Village Chapel and Present-Day Church

Part of the choir of the former village chapel survives in the cemetery. During an interior restoration, a rib vault and two capitals were uncovered; one of the capitals bears the coat of arms of Neuchâtel. A rib vault is structured by intersecting ribs, while a capital forms the top of a column or pier. These are two distinct architectural features of the former chapel.

In 1749, services in the chapel were banned because the building was in danger of collapsing. A new church was subsequently built in the centre of the village in 1757. The present-day village church has a bell-tower porch dated 1757, topped by a four-sided cupola. It also contains two paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries, as well as two twisted columns carved with vine leaves. The columns have two distinct features: their twisted shape and their vine-leaf decoration.

Routes to the Mémorial de l'Écot

The “Chemin de la mémoire et de la paix” reaches Villars-sous-Écot. The first longer, steady climb to the Mémorial de l'Écot begins there; the route follows farm tracks and minor roads. Both the climb and the change between these types of paths are relevant when planning. Check the trail conditions before setting out.

The “Circuit du Bois de Villars-sous-Écot Monument du Maquis” is 26 kilometres long and rated difficult. Its length and rating provide a concrete measure for planning the tour; here too, check the route conditions before setting out.

The “Le bois de Villars-sous-Écot et le Monument du Maquis” circular route is marked and maintained by the hiking section of the Maison pour Tous de Pont-de-Roide and the Doubs departmental committee of FFRandonnée. Its route description follows the GR de Pays towards Villars-sous-Écot, through the village centre and down through the village to the football pitch. As trail conditions and markings can change, it is advisable to check both before setting out.

Circuit and Motorsport

The Circuit de la Versenne has a 2,100-metre international-standard track. A municipal entry, last updated on 16 February 2025, names the Moto Club de Villars-sous-Écot as the organiser and promoter of motocross and supermoto events at the Circuit de Versenne. The activities are open to all ages and experience levels. If you plan to attend an event during your trip, check the specific dates.

You can therefore tailor your stay to the topics that interest you: the architectural history leads from the former chapel to the present-day church, while the routes offer varying details about their course, length and rating. Motorsport is another possible reason to visit, for which specific event dates should be included in your plans.

Discover more destinations: Villers-Le-Lac, Torpes, Pierrefontaine-les-Varans, Baume-Les-Dames, Bonnétage, Amancey, Les Grangettes, Montbeliardot.

For the broader travel overview: Doubs.