Fourbanne: Cycling Routes, Views and Milling Heritage

Fourbanne brings together cycling routes, scenic views and milling technology, making it a destination with clearly defined highlights. If you are considering a stay here, you can match these themes to the purpose of your trip: routes along the Doubs sit alongside the Saut de Gamache viewpoint, the Moulin de Fourbanne and the Grotte de Fourbanne. This makes it easier to decide whether cycling, scenery, milling technology or nature should be the focus of your trip.

Cycling along the Doubs and on other routes

The Nantes–Budapest cycle route runs along the Doubs near Fourbanne. It is used by walkers, anglers and an increasing number of cycle tourists. Several types of activity are therefore associated with this route.

The official Luxiol Gravel Route No. 67 passes through Fourbanne. It runs from Place Jouffroy d’Abbans along the Doubs on the EuroVelo route, following the characteristic heritage of the locks to the Fourbanne lock. Here, its designation as a gravel route and a specific riverside route to a lock come together.

The “Balade paisible le long du Doubs” cycling route also passes through Fourbanne. The routes have different stated highlights: walkers, anglers and cycle tourists are named as users of the cycle route; Route 67 is designated as a gravel route associated with the locks. Route details may change. So check the information for Route 67 and the “Balade paisible” before setting off.

Grotte de Fourbanne

The Grotte de Fourbanne is home to several protected bat colonies and is regularly visited by amateur cavers. This gives you two distinct local points of interest: the cave’s protected wildlife and the activity of cave exploration. If you are interested in either topic, you can make it a separate consideration when choosing your destination.

Saut de Gamache: views and history

The Saut de Gamache viewpoint lies on the eastern edge of Fourbanne, on the D683 towards Baume-les-Dames. From there, you can look out over the Doubs Valley. The view takes in Baume-les-Dames among the hills and the village of Esnans below: the valley, hills and village are distinct elements of the described panorama.

The name Saut de Gamache also refers to a local story. It commemorates the 1779 fall of the carriage belonging to the Marquis and Marquise Ronot de Gamache, who were from Spain. As well as its views over the valley, the viewpoint therefore has a specific historical connection.

Moulin de Fourbanne and its surroundings

The Moulin de Fourbanne preserves historic milling technology. Its machinery includes a Goulut-Borne roller mill, a grain cleaner by Charlas-Brocas of Lyon, a winnowing machine and leather bucket elevators. The Douge turbine and transmission components are still operational. The milling heritage therefore comprises several named machines as well as operational drive components.

The mill is about ten metres from a natural cavity. A spring emerges from this cavity, fed by an underground river in the communes of Verne and Luxiol. The approximate distance and the described spring outlet give this landscape feature a specific spatial and natural dimension.

Getting there

Fourbanne can be reached via the D683 and then, between Séchin and Baume-les-Dames, via the D261. You can include the road journey in your travel plans alongside the area’s cycling, landscape and cultural highlights.

Discover more destinations: Valentigney, Chamesol, Les Combes, Foucherans, By, Loray, Geney, Amancey.

For the broader travel overview: Doubs.