Geneuille: Nature, Trails and Local History
Accommodation in Geneuille
Explore Geneuille through several specific themes: a wetland on the site of a former gravel pit, trails through municipal forests, the GR 145 Via Francigena, and traces of the town’s paper-making history and local culture. This overview ranges from nature watching and time outdoors to church architecture, industrial history and guided cycling tours.
Nature at the Gravière de Geneuille
The Gravière de Geneuille is a former gravel pit that is now a nature area with a discovery trail. It passes through parts of the gravel pit, reed beds, wet meadows and damp forests. The different habitats shape the character of this site. The wetland also has a lookout point for discreet birdwatching. If you are interested in birds and wetland habitats, both the landscape and a designated observation point are highlights here.
As an accessible pond, the Gravière is also a sensitive natural area. The site includes a fishing spot, a picnic area and a children’s playground. This brings nature watching and a range of places to spend time together in one location. If you plan to fish, check the fishing details before your visit. Access starts from a car park on Chemin des Prés Secs. The route is signposted from the D14 in the town centre.
Trails, long-distance route and time outdoors
Several short hiking and walking trails pass through the municipal forests and reach the shores of Étang de l’Aurêtre. The options include both short walks and routes leading to the water. Another point of reference is the GR 145 Via Francigena, which passes through the municipalities of Cussey-sur-l’Ognon, Geneuille and Les Auxons. If you are interested in this long-distance route, Geneuille is one of the municipalities named along its course.
The municipal site of Les Peupliers also offers space to spend time outdoors. You can walk, relax, play outdoors, fish or read there. The Gravière, the trails through municipal forests and Les Peupliers each offer something different: birdwatching and wetlands, walking, and a variety of leisure activities. The options described can help you decide which theme is most relevant to your travel plans.
Guided discovery tours by electric bike
Chaux et LĂ©gendes organises guided, themed discovery tours by electric bike in Geneuille. Participants must be at least 1.55 metres tall; electric bikes and helmets are provided. The tour begins with a welcome coffee, followed by an introduction to the route, instructions on using the electric bikes and safety guidance. The tour therefore includes both a thematic introduction and information about the route and equipment. If you are planning to join a tour, check the dates and participation requirements for your intended visit.
Church, paper-making history and local tradition
The Église de la Nativité de Notre-Dame was built on the remains of a 14th-century chapel and rebuilt in 1727. The 14th-century chapel was followed by the rebuilding of the church in 1727. In 1834, the Outhenin-Chalandre family also began building a mechanised paper mill in Geneuille. The mill closed in 1968, when it still employed around 100 workers. The start of construction and the mill’s later closure mark different milestones in local industrial history.
Local culture also includes the Chant des Papetiers, regarded as Geneuille’s “national anthem” and still sung by some of the village’s older residents. Together with the paper mill, the song points to a local tradition connected with the town’s paper-making history. If you are interested in the Château de la Dame Blanche, the property has been listed as a three-star hotel-restaurant since 2001. Check its current classification before booking.
Discover more destinations: Dommartin, Les Combes, Besançon, Les Alliés, Flagey, Torpes, Pont-De-Roide, Longevilles-Mont-D'or.
For the broader travel overview: Doubs.
