Haute-Saône: Nature Trails, Water Landscapes and Cultural Heritage

Haute-Saône can be explored through a wide range of travel interests: nature and outdoor activities, routes along the water, striking architecture and regional specialities. If you are looking for a hotel for your stay, the main focus of your trip can help guide your choice. The Plateau des 1000 Étangs is a wetland of European significance in the southern part of the Vosges Saônoises. The landscape was formed after the glaciers retreated, covers 220 km² and is home to rare ecosystems and exceptional biodiversity.

Explore the Plateau des 1000 Étangs on foot and along its routes

For land-based activities, the plateau offers more than 30 circular walking trails and an equestrian route. There is also a marked trail and two gravel circuits. These options vary by mode of travel, so they can be a useful starting point for planning your days without suggesting that they all offer the same experience. The Échappée des 1000 Étangs is a multisensory route stretching for more than 60 kilometres between Faucogney-et-la-Mer and Château-Lambert. Six interactive landscape stations lie along the way.

Local landmarks include the Church of Saint-Martin in Faucogney-et-la-Mer and the remains of Saint Columban’s first European monastery in Annegray. At the Grilloux landscape viewpoint, a suspended net offers a view over the ponds from above. Throughout the year, the Monts de Gy offer different highlights: wild orchids in spring and the deer rut in autumn. Trails also cross paths there with the Camino de Compostela and the GR154 Via Francigena.

Waterways and different ways to get around

The water offers its own perspectives, too. The Ognon Valley has 150 kilometres of canoeing routes leading to the Saône; small weirs are among the features of this route. Fishing is possible on the Breuchin and Ognon rivers, which are classified as first-category rivers, as well as in private ponds. Alongside walking and cycling routes, the area also offers activities on and in the water.

For cycling travellers, the Voie Bleue is part of a wider regional route: it connects Luxembourg and Lyon through the Moselle and Saône valleys, with 142 kilometres of the route in Haute-Saône. The Chemin Vert links the Voie Bleue with EuroVelo 6. The cycling connections and the canoe route on the Ognon are different options: one follows a designated long-distance route, while the other follows the river to the Saône.

Architecture and history as travel themes in their own right

The Chapelle Notre-Dame-du-Haut in Ronchamp is a major work by Le Corbusier and Haute-Saône’s only UNESCO site. UNESCO recognises its revolutionary approach to religious architecture. Château d’Oricourt, meanwhile, is a fortified castle dating from the 12th century and is considered the best-preserved example of its kind in Franche-Comté.

Château de Ray-sur-Saône stands on a rocky outcrop above the Saône Valley. Its present-day appearance took shape over several periods: the medieval building was followed by destruction in the 17th century and reconstruction in the 18th century. Visits are only possible as part of a guided tour. In Luxeuil-les-Bains, artistic and historical heritage meets thermal waters; this, too, may help you decide how to prioritise your travel interests.

Discover regional produce

Regional cuisine includes Gruyère, IGP Cancoillotte, Fougerolles kirsch and cherries, ham from Luxeuil, and wines from several localities. At markets and traditional farms, you can sample cheese, honey, fruit juices and other produce. In the Ognon Valley, IGP Cancoillotte and wines are associated with Hugier, Bucey-lès-Gy, Motey-Besuche, Le Moutherot and Offlanges.

Kirsch is made by distilling local cherries; the spirit received AOC status in 2010. These regional products add a culinary perspective to your trip. Together with the routes, landscapes and historic buildings, they offer different ways to decide which experiences you would like to prioritise when planning your stay.

Discover more destinations

Frasne-le-Château, Conflandey, Soing-Cubry-Charentenay, La Basse-Vaivre, Écromagny, Pesmes, Mélisey, Haut-Du-Them-Château-Lambert, La Villedieu-En-Fontenette, Bucey-Lès-Gy, Rioz, Aillevans, Beaujeu-Saint-Vallier-Pierrejux-Et-Quitteur, Bourguignon-Lès-Morey, La Demie, Clairegoutte, Marnay, Plancher-Bas, Fondremand, Huanne, La Proiseliere Et Langle, Confracourt, Chariez, Villers-sur-Port, Moffans-et-Vacheresse, La Résie-Saint-Martin, Hugier, Filain, Bourbévelle, Anjeux, Abelcourt, Châteney, Lure, Corbenay, Esprels, Leffond, Montboillon, Savoyeux, Theuley, Vernois Sur Mance, Raincourt, Cirey, Esmoulières, Aisey-Et-Richecourt, Pusy-Et-Épenoux, Héricourt, Chassey Les Montbozon, Belfahy, Port-Sur-Saône, Gray, Raddon-Et-Chapendu, Saint-Julien, Faymont, Vanne, Villars-Le-Pautel, Anchenoncourt, Étuz, Delain, Coisevaux, Chargey-lès-Port, Charcenne, Genevreuille, La Roche-Morey, Volon, Esboz-Brest, Fresne-Saint-Mamès, Saint-Sauveur, Brotte-lès-Ray, Cult, Chaux-lès-Port, La Barre, Dampierre-Sur-Salon, Corravillers, La Vaivre, Chargey-Lès-Gray, Champagney, Ray-Sur-Saône, Quenoche, Beulotte-Saint-Laurent, Fougerolles, Baulay, Gy, Faucogney-Et-La-Mer, Vesoul, Scey-Sur-Saône-Et-Saint-Albin, Aillevillers-Et-Lyaumont, Fretigney-Et-Velloreille, Saint-Loup-Sur-Semouse, Champlitte, Traves, Magny-Jobert, Bousseraucourt, Plancher-Les-Mines, Saulx, Passavant-La-Rochère, La Neuvelle-Lès-Scey, Briaucourt, Breurey-Lès-Faverney, Amblans-Et-Velotte, Colombotte, Polaincourt-Et-Clairefontaine, Villers-Bouton, Servance, Fontenois-La-Ville, Saint-Bresson, Villersexel, Luxeuil-Les-Bains, Igny, Froideterre, Oricourt, Miellin, Ronchamp, La Rosière, Gray-La-Ville, Nantilly, Lavoncourt, Fresse, Cuve, Errevet

For the broader travel overview: Franche Comte.