The city's liveliness, as well as its heritage, are concentrated around a charming square, inviting you to stop there.
At the confluence of the Doubs and the Dessoubre, Saint-Hippolyte concentrates the attractions of a remarkable historical heritage and a surprising commercial and service dynamic for its 950 souls.
In the town center, the tightly packed houses recall the ancient existence of a rampart that protected the city. As you wander through the city's alleys and squares, you'll learn in the church that the Holy Shroud, now in Turin, made a 35-year stopover in Saint-Hippolyte in the XNUMXth century. You'll discover tombstones and try to decipher their date and surname. Further on, a former Ursuline Convent stands out in the city.
And to enjoy the view, take a little height to the Notre-Dame du Mont Chapel. The view of Saint-Hippolyte is very pleasant, and you'll read amazing stories about this small town full of character.
Practical information :
– for parking: Clos Pascal car park, behind the Post Office, free.
– The Heritage Trail allows you to discover Saint-Hippolyte with the help of explanatory panels and a dedicated app. Discover it on site.
– Several restaurants and shops, allowing you to extend your discovery of the city in a very pleasant way by sitting on a terrace or at a restaurant table.
– Starting point of many hiking.
Beautiful Comtois farms with their chimneys
If there's one village to visit to discover the rural architecture so characteristic of our Jura mountains, it's definitely this one. It's in Grand'Combe-Châteleu that you'll see many Comtois farmhouses, typical of them with their large roofs and the chimney called a tué (or tuyé). This architecture reflects a whole way of life, that of the peasants of yesteryear, and a whole cultural heritage that continues to live on in our villages.
The Doubs River meanders peacefully along the edge of this village, where water plays an important role, with around ten fountains still filled with water. You can explore them during a 5 km family walk through the village.
The village's charm is felt as soon as you approach it. The surrounding landscape highlights its architectural heritage. A Comtoise farmhouse, a church, and a surprising old building.
The 15th-century church is at the heart of this small village. With its lava roof, rare in our area, the architecture of this Saint-Georges church is full of surprises when you take the time to observe.
Opposite this church stands an unusual building, one that one would not suspect in a small town. This is the House of Justice. A former courthouse, built in 1527, from where the lords of Réaumont administered justice until the Revolution.
This village, or rather now this town of character, owes its development to the Cluniac monks.
Nearly 1000 years ago, monks from the Cluny Abbey settled in the valley of Morteau, they cleared the forests and little by little communities settled on both sides of the river on the slopes sheltered from the floods. From the church, one notices the doleful and lazy meanders of the Doubs which characterize the name of the city “Morte eau”.
While walking through the heart of the city, you can see beautiful monuments including the Town Hall and the Château Pertusier (Renaissance facade) which houses the watchmaking museum.
– Besançon / Chaux de Fonds TER SNCF train station (Switzerland).
– For parking: fairground parking lot, near the station.
– Several restaurants and shops will allow you to pleasantly extend your walk.
- Two hikes starting from Morteau to gain some height.
The municipalities of Saint-Hippolyte, Grand'Combe-Châteleu, Le Bizot and Morteau are labeled Cities of Character Burgundy-Franche-Comté. They present the historical traces of urban activity and have a first-rate urban, architectural and landscape heritage. The Association of Cities of Character aims to preserve, enhance and promote this heritage that it wants to bring to life.
At the bend in the road, in the heart of a charming village, there are still beautiful discoveries to be made while crisscrossing the Pays HorlogerHere are some ideas.
A charming village that actually encompasses several hamlets. Rich in feudal history, of which few traces remain, the Saint-Léger church sheds light on this past. A rare Romanesque building in our area, its architecture and the choir frescoes are well worth a visit.
♥ Take the road from Saint-Hippolyte to enjoy a beautiful panorama and continue your visit to the Montaigu viewpoint, in the commune of Valoreille.
And in the middle of the forest, a chapel. The charm of the place, the freshness of the forest, combined with the chapel's history make it a very pleasant stop.
This ancient medieval village has preserved several elements of remarkable heritage and the small village, one of the smallest in the Pays Horloger With 30 inhabitants, it is full of charm. The Romanesque chapel is the most visible of its past. A little higher up, the base of the keep of the old fortress recalls the history of this place.
The chapel is closed to visitors. To enjoy this heritage while combining it with a sporting outing, the “castles circuit” hike is indicated.
Continue exploring the local heritage with our museums and castles.
Need a clearer picture? Plan your itinerary by exploring small roads and scenic spots, combining nature and heritage discovery. Download the tourist map.