Fontenois-La-Ville: Nature, Trails and Heritage

For your travel planning, Fontenois-la-Ville offers several distinct themes: a Natura 2000 site, trails across gentle slopes, gardening activities and the history of the Church of Saint Bartholomew. The Superbe also flows through the commune, and several ponds lie north of the village. You can focus on exploring the landscape on foot or by bike, a botanical visit or architectural history.

Landscape, Waterways and Land Use

Fontenois-la-Ville is located in the Vallée de la Lanterne Natura 2000 site. The site is designated under both the Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive. For your travel planning, this designation provides a concrete context for its natural environment. 44 percent of Fontenois-la-Ville’s area is used as pastureland, particularly for livestock farming. This figure refers to the entire area of the commune and makes agricultural land use a clear part of the landscape.

The Superbe flows through Fontenois-la-Ville, and several ponds lie north of the village. Together with the pastureland, these features create a landscape of rivers, still waters and agricultural land.

Trails, Gardens and Nature Getaways

The landscape around Fontenois-la-Ville has walking trails and circular routes for walkers and mountain bikers. The hiking and mountain-biking routes cross gentle slopes. If you are choosing between a walk and a mountain-bike ride, you have two ways to explore within the same landscape.

Fishing is also possible in the rivers and ponds around Fontenois-la-Ville. If you plan to fish, check the applicable regulations beforehand.

Mathieu Morel – Maraîcher offers garden tours and botanical outings. Dates and seasonal availability may vary, so check in advance whether your planned visit is possible. You can pick your own produce by prior arrangement. Check availability for this as well before visiting.

The garden activities and circular routes appeal to different interests: garden tours and botanical outings focus on gardens and plants, while the trails offer a way to explore the landscape on the move. If you are planning your stay around an activity, you can choose between a garden visit and an outdoor excursion.

Les Roulottes de Fontenois offers a nature getaway at the pace of a Comtois horse.

The Church of Saint Bartholomew and Local History

The Church of Saint Bartholomew dates mainly from the 17th and 18th centuries. Its bell tower dates from 1723, and the church also preserves an 18th-century communion rail. This highlights the distinction between a broad construction period and a precisely dated feature: the church is attributed mainly to two centuries, the bell tower to 1723 and the communion rail to the 18th century.

The church was built after an earlier medieval structure. That predecessor was built when the lands of Fontenois belonged to one of the 27 outlying districts of the Templar commandery of Villedieu-en-Fontenette. The connection to the commandery therefore provides context for the predecessor; the Church of Saint Bartholomew itself dates mainly from the 17th and 18th centuries.

Discover more destinations: Villersexel, Raddon-Et-Chapendu, Frasne-le-Château, Oricourt, Chargey-lès-Port, Fretigney-Et-Velloreille, Étuz, Corravillers.

For the wider travel overview: Haute-Saône.