Rochefort-Sur-Nenon: Chapels, History and a Hiking Trail

Rochefort-Sur-Nenon’s local history brings together early routes, chapels, rocky landscapes and a named hiking trail. If you’re looking for a hotel for a stay here, these different themes can help you get a sense of the character of your trip: you might focus on the history of the village, the landscape along the Doubs, or a hike.

Chapels and traces of fortifications

The protected site of Rocher du Saut-de-la-Pucelle includes a chapel and the ruins of the village’s former fortifications. Sacred architecture and traces of fortifications are part of the same protected site. For those interested in cultural history, it offers a glimpse of two distinct functions of historic structures: the chapel as a sacred building and the ruins as remnants of an earlier fortification.

Another chapel is named Notre-Dame de la Consolation. It was built above the rocks in 1620 and restored in 1827. The dates mark separate milestones: 1620 for its construction and 1827 for a later restoration. Those interested in the history of sacred architecture can compare a building from the early 17th century with work carried out in the 19th century.

Hèbe and the old routes

Older transport links are also part of the village’s history: in the first centuries AD, Hèbe was an important settlement and a crossroads on the roads between Chalon-sur-Saône and Besançon, and between Auxonne and Salins. These two routes provide a specific geographical context for understanding the area’s history. A castellum built on the hill of Rochefort protected both the old routes and the crossing over the Doubs. The roads and the river crossing thus represent two aspects of the same protective function. The village’s early history therefore encompasses not only an important settlement, but also the role of transport links and a protected crossing of the Doubs.

Cave finds from several periods

The cave known as Trou de la Mère Clochette offers an archaeological perspective. Remains from the Palaeolithic, Neolithic and Bronze Age have been found there. These three periods place the finds in chronological context and offer a different view of the past from the chapels and traces of fortifications: here, the focus is on archaeological evidence from several periods of prehistory.

Cliff face and hiking trail

The Grotte de la Mère Clochette is in the cliff face that runs alongside the Doubs. Access is currently difficult. If you plan to visit the cave, take its accessibility into account and check the conditions before your visit.

The Sentier de la Mère Clochette starts in Audelange and heads towards Rochefort-sur-Nenon. The hiking trail is 5.4 kilometres long. From the summit, there are panoramic views over the Doubs Valley and the Massif de la forêt de Chaux. The distance and the view describe different aspects of the hike: the distance gives you an idea of its length, while the summit view puts the landscape centre stage. As local trail conditions may change, check for current information before setting off.

Discover more destinations: Cuvier (Jura), La Pesse, Arbois, Sirod, Villeneuve-sous-Pymont, Vernantois, Nozeroy, Plasne

For the main travel overview: Jura.