Chaux between church history and landscape

Chaux lies in the green valley of the Savoureuse and offers a range of points of interest for a trip: the history of Saint-Martin church, traces of the area’s former agricultural life, and landscapes of forests, ponds and meadows. Hiking and riding trails, as well as a cycle route, add to these themes. If you are considering Chaux as a destination, you can choose your focus based on whether you are most interested in local history, nature or outdoor activities.

Saint-Martin: building history and stained glass

The Romanesque bell tower of Saint-Martin church is a remnant of the building erected in the 11th century. Construction work on this building continued into the 12th century. The church’s stained-glass windows represent a much later period: they were made between 1927 and 1939 by master glazier Georges Janin of Nancy. At Saint-Martin, you can therefore distinguish between medieval building history and 20th-century stained glass.

The church also had an important administrative function: it was the administrative and judicial centre of the lordship of Rosemont, which comprised 20 villages. Its historical significance thus extends beyond the building’s construction history and encompasses the history of a lordship with many villages. Anyone interested in Chaux’s past will find here a connection both to the church’s medieval construction period and to the region’s former administration.

Ponds, marshes and landscape

The bodies of water within the commune include Étang Colin, a pond covering about three hectares. Chaux also has a protected area with ponds and marshes, where rare species live. This information offers different perspectives on the landscape: Étang Colin is a single pond whose approximate area is specified, while the protected area represents several wet habitats and the rare species found there. For nature enthusiasts, the area is therefore notable not only for a body of water, but also for a protected habitat with ponds and marshes.

Forests, ponds and meadows also feature in descriptions of the trails in Chaux. Riding and hiking trails pass through these types of landscape. In the Chaux area, the Sentiers des Forts also lead through forests, past ponds and across meadows. While the general information describes hiking and riding trails by activity and surroundings, the Sentiers des Forts offer a specific point of reference for hikers.

Trails and cycle route

For cyclists, the Liaison Nord Territoire is another point of reference. It connects Giromagny and Belfort, linking Chaux, Lachapelle-Sous-Chaux and Sermamagny to the Malsaucy leisure complex and then to the Greenway between Valdoie and Belfort. This wider route differs from the trails that run through the landscapes of Chaux: the hiking and riding trails are described in terms of their surroundings, while the Liaison connects several places, the leisure complex and the Greenway. Which type of route matters for your trip therefore also depends on whether you want to explore the local landscapes or follow a connection between several places.

Traces of former agriculture

Mills and traditional farmhouses bear witness to the village’s former agricultural character. They add a rural perspective to its church and lordship history. Taken together, Chaux’s historical themes range from the medieval church and its role in the lordship of Rosemont to evidence of the village’s former way of life.

If you are looking for a hotel for a trip to Chaux, having a clear focus for your trip can help you choose a destination. Saint-Martin represents architectural and church history; Étang Colin and the protected area offer different aspects of the landscape of ponds and wetlands; and the trails provide options for hikers, riders and cyclists. You can use your travel plans to decide whether Chaux is right for you before choosing a specific hotel.

Discover more destinations: Grosne, Villars-Le-Sec, Giromagny, Bavilliers, Offemont, Meroux, Bessoncourt, Grosmagny

For the regional travel overview: Territoire De Belfort.