Grange-De-Vaivre between the Loue and salt history

Grange-De-Vaivre lies on the Loue and along the Besançon–Lons-le-Saunier route. Near Grange-De-Vaivre and Port-Lesney, the river enters the Jura département. This location gives you two practical reference points for planning your trip: the river landscape and the connection between the cities mentioned. Also of note are a bird protection area that extends partly into the commune, historical traces of salt production, named trails, and the cheeses of the Fromagerie du Val de Loue. If you are looking for a hotel for your stay, you can first decide whether you would like to focus on nature, cultural history, a longer route, or a culinary visit.

The Loue, river landscapes, and nature

The Loue borders Grange-De-Vaivre, and part of the commune lies within the Natura 2000 bird protection area “Vallées de la Loue et du Lison” (FR4312009). In the wider floodplain, pastures and hay meadows shape the landscape. In the larger ZNIEFF area “La Loue de Quingey à Arc-et-Senans,” tree frogs (Hyla arborea) were recorded between 2006 and 2022 as breeding with certainty or probability. For orientation, it is useful to distinguish between the different scales: the bird protection area includes part of the commune, while pastures and hay meadows shape the wider floodplain.

The Saumoduc and salt history

The Saumoduc was intended to transport salt water from Salins-les-Bains to Arc-et-Senans. Its surviving masonry structures were listed as historic monuments by decree dated 29 December 2009. A surviving culvert beneath Route de Lyon lies near the Furieuse, on the border with Grange-De-Vaivre. Here, you can encounter both the pipeline’s intended function and surviving structural traces at a clearly identified location.

Trails and water

Grange-De-Vaivre is marked on the Sentier des Gabelous, a salt-route trail just over 20 kilometres long between Salins-les-Bains and Arc-et-Senans. The trail and the Saumoduc refer to the same endpoints, but serve different purposes: the Sentier is a route, while the Saumoduc was intended to transport salt water. Check trail conditions before setting out. The Club des Vagabonds, based in Grange-De-Vaivre, is responsible for maintaining the markings on around 30 kilometres of the Echappée Jurassienne. The Sentier’s length is specified; for the Echappée Jurassienne, the figure refers to the extent of the marking work planned by the club. Kayakers also particularly enjoy the Loue near Grange-De-Vaivre and Port-Lesney. Conditions vary with the water level. If you are considering a trip, check water conditions in advance.

Cheeses of the Fromagerie du Val de Loue

You can sample the cheeses in the shop at the Fromagerie du Val de Loue. The dairy makes Comté, Morbier, Tome, and Raclette, using exclusively organic milk. The tasting is the direct reason to visit; the exclusive use of organic milk describes the dairy’s production method.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Amour, Pannessières, Chille, La Favière, Souvans, Saint-Germain-Lès-Arlay, Darbonnay, Bois-D'amont

For the broader travel overview: Jura.