Brotte-lès-Ray: Sainte-Anne Chapel, Washhouse and Vanon

Brotte-lès-Ray brings together a Gothic building, water and washhouse architecture, the former Gray–Jussey Tacot railway line and the Vanon on the edge of the village. This offers different options when planning your trip: you can focus on cultural heritage or explore the walking trail and fishing on the river.

Chapel and water architecture

Sainte-Anne Chapel is a 16th-century Flamboyant Gothic chapel. Its notable architectural details include a wooden rib vault. The term “Flamboyant Gothic” describes a late Gothic style featuring flame-like, flowing lines. A rib vault divides the ceiling with intersecting ribs; at Sainte-Anne, this structure is made of wood. The building’s date, style and material can therefore be understood as distinct aspects of its architecture.

The ensemble on Allée des Fontaines includes a stone surround for the spring and a washhouse with two basins. There is also a small, open fountain on Allée des Fontaines. The arcaded washhouse is on Place de la Fontaine and was built in 1844 to plans by the architect Delanne. In terms of chronology, the 16th-century chapel and the 1844 washhouse represent two different periods of construction. In 1997, Brotte-lès-Ray received first prize from the National Special Jury for the restoration of its heritage, among municipalities with fewer than 500 inhabitants. The award came considerably later than the construction of the two buildings.

Walking trail, bridges and the Vanon

The restored former Gray–Jussey Tacot railway line is now a walking trail. Two metal bridges on this former line were built in 1903 and are considered municipal engineering structures. Here, the former railway line’s use as a walking trail and its engineering structures come together as distinct aspects of the area.

The Vanon runs along the edge of Brotte-lès-Ray, where a stone bridge crosses the river. You can fish for pike, trout, chub, roach and other fish species in the Vanon near Brotte-lès-Ray. Check the applicable local rules and access conditions before fishing. The activities can be distinguished by focus: walking is the main activity on the former Tacot line, while fishing for the listed species is the focus on the Vanon. The metal bridges are on the former railway line; the stone bridge crosses the Vanon.

Holiday accommodation and hotel search

Gîte le Cerisier is holiday accommodation for six people in the centre of Brotte-lès-Ray. It has an outdoor pool shared with the owners. A pétanque court, an outdoor table-tennis table and board games are also available. Seasonal amenities and guest services may change; check the details before booking.

Discover more destinations: Chassey Les Montbozon, Haut-Du-Them-Château-Lambert, Saint-Julien, Charcenne, Raincourt, Vanne, Dampierre-Sur-Salon, Beulotte-Saint-Laurent.

For the broader travel overview: Haute-Saône.