Panoramic view of the Acorus Water Gardens with ponds, trees and flowers - Vallée de l'Ognon — ©Acorus Water Gardens |Charlotte Mosca

Ognon Valley

Discover the Ognon Valley, a destination where nature is omnipresent, between rivers, meadows and forests. Whether you’re into water sports, hiking or history, this region offers a multitude of activities to suit all tastes. Explore its charming villages, savour local produce and take in the beauty of the surrounding countryside.

The Ognon Valley promises to be a memorable getaway!

A holiday on the river

If you’re a sporty type, you may prefer to take a canoe rather than a car down the Ognon valley: 150 km of peaceful navigation to the junction with the Saône, with countless small dams to pass like so many amusing slides.

As the river meanders along, you’ll come across the “Cités de Caractère de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté”: Villersexel, Rougemont, Montbozon, Bucey-lès-Gy, Gy, Marnay and Pesmes, one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France.

Paddling on the Ognon

Children canoeing on the Ognon. They are making a descent - Vallée de l'Ognon — ©Canoeing on the Ognon|Woka - Loisirs

View of the Cité de Caractère de Pesmes (Plus Beaux Villages de France) from the town ramparts, with the river Ognon and surrounding countryside in the background - Ognon Valley — ©Pesmes|BothBetter

A family paddles down the Ognon in a canoe. They are wearing lifejackets - Vallée de l'Ognon — ©Canoeing on the Ognon|PAN Villersexel

The Ognon in a green valley - Vallée de l'Ognon — ©L'Ognon|OT Val Marnaysien

To continue this unusual discovery, you can attend a concert under the vaulted ceiling of the priory church in Marast, or wander through the Ile Art sculpture park at the Château de Sainte-Marie in Malans.

Open a history book

The Ognon Valley is a history book: at Oricourt, you can discover the best-preserved 12th-century fortified castle in Franche-Comté; at Fondremand, you can wander through the streets of this medieval jewel. In all, you can visit around twenty private châteaux, in the footsteps of their owners!

Visit Château d'Oricourt

Pilgrims walk the Via Francigena trail - Vesoul - Val de Saône — ©Via Francigena|Maxime Naegely

Focus on hiking boots — ©Hiking|OT des Monts de Gy

Cyclists on the Vallée de l'Ognon greenway in Lure - Vallée de l'Ognon — ©Ognon Valley Green Route|Etienne Kopp

Away from the river, the Monts de Gy offer their mysteries to hikers: wild orchids in spring, bellowing deer in autumn, crossroads of the Camino de Compostelle and the GR®154 Via Francigena.

Further afield, you can enjoy a leisurely pedal along the Chemin Vert, which links the Voie Bleue cycle route to Euro Velo 6, or opt for the thrills of mountain biking on the trial tracks at Tour de Scay.

Nearby, the Golf de Bournel, classified as an “Exclusiv Golf”, enjoys a sumptuous setting in the grounds of its château.

Nearby, on either side of the river, the Cabanes des Grands Lacs offer an unusual bivouac in the trees or floating on the calm waters of Lac de Bonnal.

Filling up of delicacies

The Vallée de l’Ognon cultivates the art of living close to nature, to which can be added the tasting of local products: the famous and tasty IGP cancoillotte or the wines of Hugier, Bucey-lès-Gy, Motey-Besuche, Le Moutherot and Offlanges.

The vineyards of Haute-Saône

A diversion via Dole and Besançon

Before you leave, be sure to discover Besançon and its majestic Vauban citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue your exploration in Dole, where the collegiate church of Notre-Dame will amaze you with its Gothic architecture and rich historical heritage. These two iconic towns offer a unique blend of culture, history and architectural beauty, making them must-sees.

Ognon Valley

A holiday on the river

Open a history book

Filling up of delicacies

A diversion via Dole and Besançon

Remarkable towns

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