Villars-Le-Sec: Church, History and Circular Trail

Villars-Le-Sec brings together ecclesiastical architectural history, a local landscape and a circular hiking trail. If you are looking for a hotel for your trip, these themes can shape your stay — for example, local history and ecclesiastical heritage, or the hike itself. Villars-Le-Sec originated around the 9th century as a dependent settlement of Murbach Abbey. This early date is well before the later construction dates of the church and school.

Church and Local History

The Church of Notre-Dame de la Nativité is dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and was built in 1829. In 1867, it received its bell tower and was extended; Riche and Chapuis carried out the work to plans by the architect Aristide Poisat. The church also has a protected Stations of the Cross with 15 stations, dating from 1865. The Stations of the Cross date from two years before the bell tower and extension, adding a distinct element of ecclesiastical heritage to the building’s history.

The mechanism of the church clock in Villars-Le-Sec is on display at the Musée Japy in Beaucourt.

A building was constructed at Place de l’École in 1873 to serve as the town hall and school. The car park in this square is the starting point for the “Sur le plateau de l’Ajoie” circular trail.

Landscape and Local Details

Villars-Le-Sec lies on the first foothills of the Jura limestone plateaus. The municipal forest covers 50 hectares and consists mainly of oak and beech trees. At the foot of the church steps is the church fountain, known as “pouche di motie”.

Hiking and Les Pas du Diable

The “Sur le plateau de l’Ajoie” circular trail is an easy 10-kilometre hike with 143 metres of elevation gain; it takes approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes. These details answer different planning questions: the distance describes the route’s length, the elevation gain indicates the climb, and the approximate duration indicates how much time to allow. The starting point is the car park at Place de l’École. The route crosses a section that passes between France and Switzerland and follows the Mazarine border markers to Les Pas du Diable. A pictogram marks the trail and helps with navigation along the way. Check the current access conditions before setting out and check the signs on site.

Les Pas du Diable is a tourist site in the forest. The trail marked with a yellow ring leads to a large, flat stone near Villars-Le-Sec. According to legend, the devil left his footprints on the stone while chasing Bishop Saint Dizier. Unlike the dated church buildings, Les Pas du Diable is centred on a local legend.

Discover more destinations: Rougegoutte, Suarce, Offemont, Andelnans, Essert, Autrechêne, Danjoutin, Buc

For the broader travel overview: Territoire De Belfort.