Discover Gy

Gy offers several points of interest for a trip: the Église Saint-Symphorien, the Château de Gy, and the Grande Fontaine represent architectural and cultural history; the dry grasslands of the Monts de Gy and the mountain biking routes offer opportunities to explore nature and enjoy outdoor activities. A guided tour takes visitors through the historic upper town, and the Way of St. James passes through Gy. If you are looking for a hotel in Gy, you can decide in advance whether architectural and local history, a guided tour, or nature and cycling excursions should shape your stay.

Church and architectural history

The floor plan of the Église Saint-Symphorien is inspired by a Roman basilica. It also houses a polychrome wooden depiction of the Crucifixion from the 17th century, which has been protected as a Monument historique since 1968. Two different aspects of sacred culture come together here: the basilica inspiration relates to the building’s design, while the Crucifixion depiction is a specific work of art with its own subject, material, colors, and protected status. When placing these in context, it is worth distinguishing between the two dates: the 17th century identifies the period of the depiction, while 1968 marks the beginning of its protection.

Château and Grande Fontaine

From the 12th century until the French Revolution, the Château de Gy was the traditional residence of the Archbishops of Besançon. This period describes its historical role. The château is privately owned; a museum on the ground floor is open to visitors, and the cellars and park can also be visited. Check locally about access before your visit.

The Grande Fontaine was built between 1830 and 1835 by César Convers and Alphonse Delacroix. It complements the history of the Château’s residence with a precisely dated 19th-century structure. While the Château’s historical function from the 12th century until the French Revolution is the main focus, the construction period and the two architects are named for the Fontaine.

Upper town and guided tour

A guided tour of Gy takes visitors through the historic upper town, also known as Vieux Bourg. It showcases richly decorated façades, a church and cellars, as well as the last tower of the former fortifications. The tour also includes views of the lower town and the surrounding landscape. It therefore brings together architectural details, a section of the former fortifications, and scenic views. If you plan to take this guided tour, check the booking conditions in advance; they may change.

Nature and activities in the Monts de Gy

The dry grasslands of the Monts de Gy are home to 286 plant species, 69 bird species, 72 butterfly species, 30 species of orthopterans, and five reptile species. Plants are the largest group by number, with 286 species; among the animal species, the 72 butterfly species narrowly outnumber the 69 bird species. The 30 species of orthopterans and five reptile species add to the range. For nature enthusiasts, biodiversity is therefore a distinct focus alongside the architectural and cultural attractions.

For mountain bikers, the Base VTT des Monts de Gy offers seven signposted routes with a total length of 135 km and varying difficulty levels. The 135 km refers to the total length of the routes on offer, not to a single route; difficulty levels vary from route to route. This distinction helps separate the overall scope of the offering from the features of individual routes. As route conditions may change, check them before setting out. The Way of St. James also passes through Gy and, alongside the cycling options, offers another route for hikers and pilgrims.

Gy has been awarded the Cité de Caractère de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté designation. This distinction adds an overarching recognition of the town to its specific cultural and nature attractions.

Discover more destinations: Bourbévelle, Gray-La-Ville, Saulx, Vernois Sur Mance, Chargey-Lès-Gray, Aisey-Et-Richecourt, Ronchamp, Pusy-Et-Épenoux

For the broader travel overview: Haute-Saône.