Aerial view of the river Ognon with the Cité de Caractère of Villersexel in the background - Vallée de l'OgnonAerial view of the river Ognon with the Cité de Caractère of Villersexel in the background - Vallée de l'Ognon
©Villersexel|Office de tourisme du Pays de Villersexel

Villersexel

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Welcome to Villersexel, a Cité de Caractère in Burgundy-Franche-Comté, near the Doubs river. This small town, bordered by the River Ognon, offers a unique blend of history and nature. With its remarkable architectural heritage, outdoor activities and water sports centre, Villersexel is an ideal destination for culture lovers and nature enthusiasts alike.

Logo for the Ognon Valley destination in Haute-Saône - Long white versionLogo for the Ognon Valley destination in Haute-Saône - Long white version
©Vallée de l'Ognon white logo

A majestic castle

Villersexel is an ancient castral town divided into two distinct parts: the “Bourg en Haut” and the “Bourg en Bas”. The “Bourg en Bas” is made up of old farmhouses with arched porches and picturesque gardens, bearing witness to the region’s rural authenticity. The “Bourg en Haut”, meanwhile, is organised around the town hall square, where you’ll find architectural gems such as the church with its traditional Comtois bell tower, the town hall (formerly a grain market) and the Château de Villersexel. Rebuilt in 1880, the château is still inhabited and is a living testimony to local history. Open to visitors (self-guided or guided), you can discover a French heritage site furnished and inhabited as it was a century ago.

Aerial view of the Cité de Caractère of Villersexel - Ognon ValleyAerial view of the Cité de Caractère of Villersexel - Ognon Valley
©Villersexel|Office de tourisme du Pays de Villersexel
View of the church with its glazed tile roof in the Cité de Caractère of Villersexel - Ognon ValleyView of the church with its glazed tile roof in the Cité de Caractère of Villersexel - Ognon Valley
©Villersexel|Office de tourisme du Pays de Villersexel
General view of the Cité de Caractère of Villersexel - Ognon ValleyGeneral view of the Cité de Caractère of Villersexel - Ognon Valley
©Villersexel|Office de tourisme du Pays de Villersexel
Detail of a period house with a window surrounded by two sculptures, a man and a woman, in the Cité de Caractère of Villersexel - Ognon ValleyDetail of a period house with a window surrounded by two sculptures, a man and a woman, in the Cité de Caractère of Villersexel - Ognon Valley
©Villersexel|Office de tourisme du Pays de Villersexel
General view of the Château de Villersexel - Town of character - Ognon ValleyGeneral view of the Château de Villersexel - Town of character - Ognon Valley
©Villersexel Castle|Château de Villersexel
Aerial view of the Cité de Caractère of Villersexel - Ognon ValleyAerial view of the Cité de Caractère of Villersexel - Ognon Valley
©Villersexel|Office de tourisme du Pays de Villersexel
View of the church with its glazed tile roof in the Cité de Caractère of Villersexel - Ognon ValleyView of the church with its glazed tile roof in the Cité de Caractère of Villersexel - Ognon Valley
©Villersexel|Office de tourisme du Pays de Villersexel
General view of the Cité de Caractère of Villersexel - Ognon ValleyGeneral view of the Cité de Caractère of Villersexel - Ognon Valley
©Villersexel|Office de tourisme du Pays de Villersexel
Detail of a period house with a window surrounded by two sculptures, a man and a woman, in the Cité de Caractère of Villersexel - Ognon ValleyDetail of a period house with a window surrounded by two sculptures, a man and a woman, in the Cité de Caractère of Villersexel - Ognon Valley
©Villersexel|Office de tourisme du Pays de Villersexel
General view of the Château de Villersexel - Town of character - Ognon ValleyGeneral view of the Château de Villersexel - Town of character - Ognon Valley
©Villersexel Castle|Château de Villersexel
    In autumn, a woman canoes down the River Ognon with a cow watching in the background - Ognon ValleyIn autumn, a woman canoes down the River Ognon with a cow watching in the background - Ognon Valley
    ©Canoeing on the Ognon|Refuse To Hibernate
    Aerial view of the River Ognon surrounded by nature: forests and meadows. In the distance, two canoes can be seen paddling down the river - Vallée de l'OgnonAerial view of the River Ognon surrounded by nature: forests and meadows. In the distance, two canoes can be seen paddling down the river - Vallée de l'Ognon
    ©The river Ognon|Office de tourisme du Pays de Villersexel
    A boat moored on the banks of the Ognon - Cité de Caractère de Villersexel - Ognon ValleyA boat moored on the banks of the Ognon - Cité de Caractère de Villersexel - Ognon Valley
    ©Boat on the Ognon|Office de tourisme du Pays de Villersexel

      Filling up outdoor activities

      Villersexel overlooks the River Ognon, a paradise for canoeists and anglers. The PAN leisure centre invites you to climb aboard a canoe and explore the rich flora and fauna surrounding the river.

      For those who prefer to stay dry, the Voie Verte de la Vallée de l’Ognon offers 54km of safe cycling, walking and rollerblading trails, linking La Côte to Fontenois-lès-Montbozon via Villersexel.

      In Villersexel we love hiking

      Villersexel is also a stopover town on the Pilgrim’s Way to Santiago de Compostela, welcoming many pilgrims every year in search of serenity and contemplation. Take a stroll along the surrounding paths and you’ll discover breathtaking scenery and unforgettable moments of tranquillity.

      Saint Jacques de Compostelle signposting: the yellow shell on a blue backgroundSaint Jacques de Compostelle signposting: the yellow shell on a blue background
      ©Compostelle

        To plan your visit, don’t hesitate to drop in at the Tourist Office, located in the old octroi building. The staff will be delighted to provide you with all the information you need.

        Tourists parked their bikes while someone consulted a map in front of the tourist office of the Cité de Caractère de Villersexel - Vallée de l'Ognon.Tourists parked their bikes while someone consulted a map in front of the tourist office of the Cité de Caractère de Villersexel - Vallée de l'Ognon.
        ©Villersexel Tourist Office|Office de tourisme du Pays de Villersexel

          Villersexel A town with a quality label

          Burgundy-Franche-Comté Cities of Character logoBurgundy-Franche-Comté Cities of Character logo
          ©Character towns of Burgundy-Franche-Comté
          Green Holiday Resorts logoGreen Holiday Resorts logo
          ©Green Holiday Resorts

          Stay In Villersexel

          Pilgrims walk the Via Francigena trail - Vesoul - Val de SaônePilgrims walk the Via Francigena trail - Vesoul - Val de Saône
          ©Via Francigena|Maxime Naegely
          The Via Francigena
          Exterior view of the Prieuré de Marast - Ognon ValleyExterior view of the Prieuré de Marast - Ognon Valley
          ©Priory of Marast|Charlotte Mosca
          Le Prieuré de Marast
          The natural panorama with bench and reading table to discover from In the foreground, the Chapelle Sainte-Anne de Vellefaux. In the background, a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside - Vallée de l'Ognon.The natural panorama with bench and reading table to discover from In the foreground, the Chapelle Sainte-Anne de Vellefaux. In the background, a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside - Vallée de l'Ognon.
          ©Panorama of Chapelle Sainte-Anne|Office de tourisme du Pays des 7 Rivières
          Panorama of Chapelle Sainte-Anne
          View of a round sculpture on the Ile Art contemporary art trail in Malans - Vallée de l'Ognon, Haute-SaôneView of a round sculpture on the Ile Art contemporary art trail in Malans - Vallée de l'Ognon, Haute-Saône
          ©Ile Art in Malans
          Ile Art
          Children canoeing on the Ognon. They are making a descent - Vallée de l'OgnonChildren canoeing on the Ognon. They are making a descent - Vallée de l'Ognon
          ©Canoeing on the Ognon|Woka - Loisirs
          Canoeing down the Ognon, along the river
          A woman sitting on the edge of a pond in the Acorus water gardens daydreams - Ognon ValleyA woman sitting on the edge of a pond in the Acorus water gardens daydreams - Ognon Valley
          ©Acorus Water Gardens|Refuse to hibernate
          Acorus water gardens
          Panoramic view of the dry grasslands of the Monts de Gy - Ognon ValleyDry grasslands of the Monts de Gy
          ©Dry grasslands of the Monts de Gy|Office de Tourisme des Monts de Gy
          Dry grasslands and wild orchids of the Monts de Gy
          Panoramic view of Château d'Oricourt and surrounding countryside, with forests and fields - Vallée de l'OgnonPanoramic view of Château d'Oricourt and surrounding countryside, with forests and fields - Vallée de l'Ognon
          ©Château d'Oricourt|BothBetter
          Château d’Oricourt
          General view of the Château de Villersexel - Town of character - Ognon ValleyGeneral view of the Château de Villersexel - Town of character - Ognon Valley
          ©Villersexel Castle|Château de Villersexel
          Château de Villersexel
          A group of mountain bikers explore the Monts de Gy in the middle of a field of flowers, on the edge of the forest - Vallée de l'OgnonA group of mountain bikers explore the Monts de Gy in the middle of a field of flowers, on the edge of the forest - Vallée de l'Ognon
          ©Mountain biking in the Monts de Gy|Pierre Pauquay
          Les Monts De Gy, all in the saddle
          A pilgrim takes a break with his walking bag at his feet, showing the shell, the symbol of Compostela.A pilgrim takes a break with his walking bag at his feet, showing the shell, the symbol of Compostela.
          ©Compostelle|Alain Doire - BFC Tourisme
          Santiago de Compostela
          In autumn, a woman canoes down the River Ognon with a cow watching in the background - Ognon ValleyIn autumn, a woman canoes down the River Ognon with a cow watching in the background - Ognon Valley
          ©Canoeing on the Ognon|Refuse To Hibernate
          Canoeing: a multi-day adventure

          Remarkable towns to discover In Haute-Saône

          Exterior view of the Luxeuil-les-Bains thermal baths building at dusk, built of pink Vosges sandstone and lined with rose bushes - Vosges du SudExterior view of the Luxeuil-les-Bains thermal baths building at dusk, built of pink Vosges sandstone and lined with rose bushes - Vosges du Sud
          ©Luxeuil-les-Bains thermal baths|Adrien Michel Architecture
          Luxeuil-les-Bains
          A cyclist stops at Scey-sur-Saône, on the Voie Bleue (V50), on the banks of the Saône - Vesoul - Val de SaôneA cyclist stops at Scey-sur-Saône, on the Voie Bleue (V50), on the banks of the Saône - Vesoul - Val de Saône
          ©The Blue Way|Maxime Naegely
          Scey-sur-Saône
          Exhibition room at the Maison de la Négritude et des Droits de l'Homme in Champagney - Vosges du SudExhibition room at the Maison de la Négritude et des Droits de l'Homme in Champagney - Vosges du Sud
          ©House of Negritude and Human Rights|Etienne Kopp
          Champagney
          Vesoul town centre, with the bridge over the Durgeon - A work of street art can be seen on the façade of the restaurant la femme du boulanger Vesoul - Val de SaôneVesoul town centre, with the bridge over the Durgeon - A work of street art can be seen on the façade of the restaurant "la femme du boulanger" Vesoul - Val de Saône
          ©Vesoul|Maxime Naegely
          Vesoul
          Vauvillers Town Hall - A town full of character - Vosges du SudVauvillers Town Hall - A town full of character - Vosges du Sud
          ©Vauvillers |Corinne Vasselet - BFC Tourisme
          Vauvillers
          A man fishing in the River Rahin at Ronchamp. In the background, the village with its church Notre-Dame du Bas - Vosges du SudA man fishing in the River Rahin at Ronchamp. In the background, the village with its church Notre-Dame du Bas - Vosges du Sud
          ©Ronchamp|Etienne Kopp
          Ronchamp
          Eglise de Mélisey - Plateau des 1000 Etangs, Southern VosgesEglise de Mélisey - Plateau des 1000 Etangs, Southern Vosges
          ©Melisey church|Nicolas Bonne
          Melisey
          Aerial view of Port-sur-Saône. You can see the Saône, boats and Eurosérum - Vesoul - Val de SaôneAerial view of Port-sur-Saône. You can see the Saône, boats and Eurosérum - Vesoul - Val de Saône
          ©Port-sur-Saône|Maxime Naegely
          Port-sur-Saône
          View of the river Ognon and the town of Bucey-lès-Gy - Vallée de l'OgnonView of the river Ognon and the town of Bucey-lès-Gy - Vallée de l'Ognon
          ©Bucey-lès-Gy |Destination 70
          Bucey-lès-Gy
          Lac de la Faïencerie de Rioz - Ognon ValleyLac de la Faïencerie de Rioz - Ognon Valley
          ©Lac de la Faïencerie
          Cherry blossom in Fougerolles-Saint-Valbert - Vosges du SudCherry blossom in Fougerolles-Saint-Valbert - Vosges du Sud
          ©Cherry blossom|Eric Marguet
          Fougerolles-Saint-Valbert
          Former Rousselot house known as Maison Bouday in Montbozon - Town of character - Ognon ValleyFormer Rousselot house known as Maison Bouday in Montbozon - Town of character - Ognon Valley
          ©Montbozon|Office de tourisme du Pays des 7 Rivières
          Montbozon