Lods: Church Art, Winegrower Culture and a Hike along the Loue

Lods can be explored through three specific themes: church art, life as a winegrower in the valley, and a hike along the Loue. When planning your trip, you can choose between cultural history and a clearly defined route, or consider both. This lets you tailor your focus to your own interests.

Church Art and Winegrower Culture

The parish church of Saint-Théodule was built between 1733 and 1736 to plans by the architect Jean-Pierre Galezot of Besançon. This construction period places the building in the 18th century and makes the church a specific focal point for the architectural history of Lods. Inside, it houses an altarpiece made by Fauconnet, as well as paintings by Etienne Charton d’Autun. The same building thus brings together a clearly dated history of its construction and named works of art.

The Musée de la vigne et du vin is housed in an authentic 17th-century winegrower's house. It displays tools and everyday objects that document the lives of winegrowers in the valley. These objects offer a different perspective from the church and its art: they focus on the working and everyday culture of winegrowing in the valley.

Walking along the Loue

The Sentier de Lods is an easy, 6.3-kilometre circular hike with an approximate duration of two and a half hours. The distance and estimated duration help you gauge how much time to allow for the route. Route details may change, so check them before setting out.

Between Lods and Mouthier-Haute-Pierre, the route follows the Loue through orchards, meadows and woodland. When assessing the hike, it is not just the distance and time that matter, but also its specific course along the river and through these types of landscape.

Protected Area and Industrial History

Part of the municipality of Lods lies within the Natura 2000 site “Vallées de la Loue et du Lison,” a Special Area of Conservation with the designation FR 4301291. The site was designated on 11 April 2016. This protection status applies to part of the municipality, not to the municipality as a whole.

The Forges de Lods on chemin des Forges is an industrial heritage site and is now a hydroelectric power station. Its industrial heritage significance and present-day function therefore come together in one place. The Sentier de Lods can also begin and end at the Forges. If you plan to combine hiking and industrial history, the Forges provide a specific point of reference for both themes.

Practical Information

The brochure for the Parcours ethnologique du village de Lods is available from the town hall. If you are interested in this village trail, you can ask for it there.

The Sentier de Lods is served by the Mobigo 204 bus line. Check the timetable before travelling, as service information may change.

Discover more destinations: Les Fins, Rochejean, Granges-Narboz, Fourbanne, Brey-Et-Maison-Du-Bois, Les Auxons, Valentigney, Mancenans.

For the broader travel overview: Doubs.