Epauvillers – Nature, Trails and History

Epauvillers appeals to travellers who want to plan their stay around the landscape, trails or religious history.

Location between the Jura and the Doubs

Epauvillers lies at an altitude of 696 m above sea level in a hollow on the southern slope of the Clos du Doubs Jura range, around 230 m above the floor of the Doubs valley. These elevations describe the specific relationship between the village, the slope and the river valley, and help situate Epauvillers within this landscape. The village is also part of the cantonally protected “la vallée du Doubs” nature reserve. The clearly stated elevation and the protected valley landscape thus sit side by side, offering a landscape-focused way to explore the destination, distinct from its local buildings and routes.

The former municipal area included foothills that descend steeply via Sous les Roches to the deeply cut Doubs, as well as the broad Fin du Teck ridge at 892 m above sea level. It also included the Bois de Villers, whose highest point is at 917 m above sea level, and the Chêtelat rocky outcrop at 841 m above sea level. These terrain features refer to the former municipal area. They add a historical spatial perspective to the description of the village’s location and show the variety of elevations in this named landscape. If you like to understand a place through its terrain and elevation details, these names offer specific points of reference.

Trails and different routes

The 9.6-kilometre Tchérattes running trail starts in Epauvillers and is marked year-round. You can explore the Tchérattes routes, which are used by runners, on foot or by mountain bike, without the pressure of being timed. Depending on the format or date, the “Les Tchérattes en liberté” event may include refreshment stations, landscape experiences and a souvenir prize. When planning, it is helpful to distinguish the stated length of the running trail from the recreational use of the Tchérattes routes.

The Clos du Doubs Bike route follows the sequence St-Ursanne–Epiquerez–Epauvillers–St-Ursanne. The section by the village runs through pastureland and descends to the Doubs. This route therefore offers a different point of reference from the Tchérattes running trail: its route sequence and course through the landscape. As route details may change seasonally, check the route before setting out.

Another trail, after crossing part of Montenol, heads east over the Chételat massif and back to Epauvillers. The descriptions of these trails have different emphases: a specified route starting in the village, a cycling route with a stated sequence, and a trail running via Montenol and Chételat. This lets you consider the routes by their respective features without treating them as the same tour.

Church and religious sites

The Église d’Epauvillers was rebuilt at the end of the 17th century after its destruction during the Thirty Years’ War. Its history also includes a small late Neo-Baroque-style organ, made by the Wetzel brothers in 1868 and restored in 1971. The rebuilding, the organ’s date of creation and its restoration mark different points in time. For travellers interested in church and music history, these details offer several specific points of interest rather than just a general historical impression.

The Grotte Notre-Dame de Lourdes is located in the Finage district of Epauvillers. Together with the church, it is another named religious landmark in the village. The grotto’s location in Finage helps situate it locally, while the church’s history and its dated organ offer a distinct cultural focus. The landscape, tours and architectural history thus present different perspectives on Epauvillers.

Discover more destinations: Les Bois, Le Noirmont, Montfaucon Ju, Lajoux, Saignelégier, Les Breuleux, Les Enfers, La Chaux-des-Breuleux

See the main travel overview: Franches-Montagnes.