Maîche: Views, History and Markets

Maîche offers several highlights to consider when planning your trip: views of the town and plateau from Roche de Ruan, historic sights, markets, and activities on foot, by bike, or in winter. A one-hour guided tour by appointment, regular market days, and seasonal winter sports conditions each require different planning.

Views and Outdoor Activities

The viewpoint at Roche de Ruan overlooks Maîche and its plateau. For snowshoeing, Maîche has the 5.78-kilometer La Roche de Ruan loop. The route length gives you a concrete basis for planning how much time to allow.

There is also a dedicated hiking map for the Maîche sector of Pays Horloger. The Maîche sector of Pays Horloger also has an extensive network of mountain biking and cycling routes. The options therefore vary by activity and wayfinding: the snowshoe loop is a specifically named route, while the hiking map and route network cover the sector for hiking and cycling, respectively.

The winter offer also includes the Goule alpine ski slope. It has a drag lift and a Bambi lift; operating conditions are seasonal. If the slope is important for your travel dates, check current operating information in advance.

History and Sightseeing

Château Montalembert is a fortified house dating from the 16th century. On November 13, 1944, it was the setting for a meeting between General de Gaulle and Winston Churchill. The building’s history and the precisely dated meeting offer different historical perspectives on the town.

Tours of the château last one hour and take place by appointment. Arrange your visit in advance and allow an hour for it. Église Saint-Pierre, by contrast, can be visited independently throughout the year. This gives you two different ways to explore: a scheduled guided tour by appointment and a self-guided visit available year-round.

Markets and Event Dates

The Foire de Maîche takes place on the third Thursday of every month at Place de la Rasse. Gras-doubles and tête de veau are traditionally associated with the market. These dishes are prepared in Maîche’s restaurants, cafés, and butcher shops. If you would like to plan your visit around the fair, check the specific date locally before you travel.

A craft market takes place every Saturday morning on the esplanade in front of Maîche town hall. The two markets therefore differ in both frequency and location: the Foire is held monthly at Place de la Rasse, while the craft market takes place weekly on Saturday mornings in front of the town hall. You can match these dates to your interests when choosing when to travel.

The Concours national de la race comtoise takes place every September in Maîche; check current event dates before you travel. The Fête du cheval is an equestrian competition featuring parades of Comtois horses and ponies, as well as races. If you would like to visit for this competition, check the current program in advance.

Information for the Wider Region

The Maîche tourist office provides information about Maîche, Pays Horloger, the wider region, and neighboring Switzerland. This lets you consider local attractions and regional orientation together when planning your trip beyond individual sights or event dates.

Discover more destinations: Fleurey, Grand'Combe-Châteleu, Loray, Arc-sous-Cicon, Chalezeule, Saint-Point-Lac, Valoreille, Jougne.

For the broader travel overview: Doubs.