Discover Lavoncourt

Lavoncourt offers several distinct historical points of interest to help you decide on your trip: the Church of Saint-Valentin, with its architectural history and art; the surviving castle mound on the Gourgeonne; and a walking tour with 20 stops. A weekly market adds a regular Friday morning event to these attractions.

Saint-Valentin: architectural history and art

The Church of Saint-Valentin has been listed in its entirety as a Monument historique since 12 October 2016. Its history spans several clearly distinct periods: the earlier church was burned down by the Swedes during the siege of 1637. In 1670, Saint-Valentin was rebuilt on its ruins. The original building, its destruction and its reconstruction thus stand as separate chapters in the history of the town.

The architecture, too, reflects different periods. A 15th-century bell tower with Romanesque-style windows has been preserved. Inside are statues and paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries, as well as numerous protected furnishings and goldsmith works. These include altarpieces, paintings, statues and silverware.

One particularly specific example is the high altar altarpiece: made of polychrome-painted and gilded wood, it was installed in the first third of the 18th century. The central painting depicts an episode from the life of Saint Valentine. Those interested in sacred art will find different aspects to consider here—from the older bell tower to the later furnishings and the altar’s imagery.

The castle mound on the Gourgeonne

Only a mound on the banks of the Gourgeonne remains of Lavoncourt’s medieval castle. It is well preserved and is one of the region’s most representative terraced sites surrounded by ditches. This makes it quite different from the Church of Saint-Valentin: there, the architectural history and surviving furnishings shape the picture, while on the Gourgeonne, the remaining mound recalls the medieval castle.

Experience Lavoncourt on a walking tour

The tourist walking tour through Lavoncourt has 20 stops. Panels show what the sites looked like in the 19th century and what they look like today. This comparison over time is the tour’s guiding theme: you can compare the historical images with the present-day views rather than seeing the stops as isolated points.

The Lavoncourt Smart Village – Voyage dans le temps experience is located at L'Étape, 70120 Lavoncourt; the 20-stop walking tour is also presented there. If you plan to take part in the mobile experience, check its availability on site.

Friday morning weekly market

Lavoncourt’s small weekly market takes place every Friday morning near the Petit Casino. Around ten vendors take part, including vegetable growers, a butcher, a fishmonger and honey sellers. The mix of vendors may vary. If the market is important to your travel plans, check the date before you arrive.

Lavoncourt can be viewed through a variety of interests: the church offers several historical and artistic layers, the castle mound is a surviving reminder of the medieval castle, and the walking tour relates places as they were then to how they are today. The weekly market adds a regular event in the town. These specific attractions can help you decide whether Lavoncourt is a good fit for your stay.

Discover more destinations: La Demie, Vanne, Savoyeux, Champagney, Chaux-lès-Port, Clairegoutte, La Basse-Vaivre, Raincourt

For the broader travel overview: Haute-Saône.