Dommartin: Churches, Chapel and Landscape

Dommartin brings together sacred architectural and artistic history, religious tradition and landscapes along the Drugeon and on the Côte du Fol. Saint-Martin, Niai-Nion Chapel and a historic wayside cross offer tangible starting points for a trip that takes in the town’s history and surroundings. The sights range from architectural features and works of art spanning several centuries to a route through river landscapes and pastures.

Saint-Martin Church and sacred art

The original Saint-Martin Church is considered one of the oldest churches on the Arlier Plateau and was first mentioned in 1141. The current parish church of Saint-Martin brings together architectural features from different centuries: the choir dates from the 16th or 17th century and bears the date 1692, the nave dates from the 18th century, and the bell tower is dated 1825. The building offers a chance to see several periods side by side.

The parish church houses the 16th-century polychrome stone sculpture Charité de Saint Martin. There is also a 15th-century polychrome wooden Pietà. “Polychrome” means decorated in several colours; stone and wood indicate the different materials used for the works. The building’s history and its artworks thus offer different ways to explore its sacred heritage: through its construction phases and through individual sculptures.

The wayside cross near the church portal features a cross decorated with flowers, with a monstrance on its axis. It is listed as a historic monument. Its location and design make it another distinct point of interest in Dommartin’s sacred heritage.

Niai-Nion Chapel and its surroundings

Niai-Nion Chapel was built after the plague epidemic of 1636 as a refuge for the sick. The grave of Jeanne Laignier remains visible behind the chapel. A procession of Dommartin’s parishioners has long been held in connection with the chapel on Trinity Sunday. The historical circumstances, a visible grave and a religious tradition thus emerge as distinct aspects of the site.

The chapel stands at the edge of the forest between Dommartin and Vuillecin. From there, views extend over the Chaux d'Arlier, Pontarlier and the Larmont heights. Alongside the chapel’s history, these named landscapes also shape the character of the place.

La Côte du Fol route

La Côte du Fol Route No. 106 runs between Dommartin and Vuillecin along the Drugeon River, then continues through the pastures of the Côte du Fol. Along the way, there are views of the Arlier Plain. The river, pastures and plain offer a different landscape perspective from the forest edge by the chapel.

For planning your trip, you can distinguish between two specific landscape settings: the route along the Drugeon, with the pastures of the Côte du Fol, and the chapel’s setting, with views of Chaux d'Arlier, Pontarlier and the Larmont heights. Together with the churches and the procession, these offer several ways to experience Dommartin—through architecture, religious history and the surrounding landscape.

Discover more destinations: Villars-Sous-Écot, Amancey, La Cluse-et-Mijoux, Abbévillers, Laval-Le-Prieuré, Besançon, Nans-sous-Sainte-Anne, Bonnétage.

For the broader travel overview: Doubs.