Scenic road
The Loue Valley, a must-do
The Loue Valley is a must-do for visitors. From its source inside a cave, the river emerges to flow across a spectacular landscape that you can explore by car or by canoe to discover a succession of listed villages and panoramic views over the canyons of Jura. The region's abundance of water and plentiful nature were of great inspiration to the painter, Gustave Courbet, whose world can be admired at the Ornans Museum or Flagey Farm. Perfect for adding a little culture to your itinerary!
Ornans dans la vallée de la Loue Alain DOIRE Bourgogne-Franche-Comte Tourisme
Village de Lods, au bord de La Loue Alain DOIRE Bourgogne-Franche-Comte Tourisme
Château de Cleron au pied de la Loue Alain DOIRE Bourgogne-Franche-Comte Tourisme
By motorbike or by car
Road trip in the Loue Valley
The Loue Valley is best explored by car or motorbike, since the D492 road offers 46km of pleasant driving with plenty of viewing points along the way.
From the small Ornans Valley you have two options:
>> Travel upstream for 25km along the Loue via the dizzying hairpin bends between Vuillafans, Lods, Mouthier-Haute-Pierre and Ouhans.
>> Or, follow the the river downstream and finish your trip in the beautiful Lison Valley.
The Loue Valley villages
Lods, Ornans, Mouthier-Haute-Pierre ... These picturesque villages, many of them listed, all contribute to the magic of the Loue Valley.
The views are exalted by bridges mirrored in the water, and walls and balconies festooned with bloom, inviting you to stop for a while and stroll around to the gentle gushing
of the river.
Little Venice in Franche-Comté
Ornans is nicknamed the "Little Venice of Franche-Comté" because of its rows of corbelled houses along the River Loue. The village is home to many a treasure, including the superb museum devoted to a local boy, Gustave Courbet. A must-do!
Most beautiful village in France
Nestling on the hillside, Lods is listed among the "most beautiful villages in France". Wander through the sloping narrow streets to discover the 16th-century winegrowers' houses. In fact, if you look above the doorways you'll see bunches of grapes carved into the lintels, evidence that grapes have been grown here for centuries.
Balcony above the valley
What distinguishes Mouthier-Haute-Pierre from other villages is its high location with breathtaking views over the valley below. It is also a well-known climbing site. Enthusiasts take note.
The Loue Valley from the river
Descend the river by canoe to discover the Loue Valley from a brand new angle.
In the footsteps of painter Gustave Courbet, a local boy
Known for his provocative "The Origin of the World", which is on display at the Musée d'Orsay, Courbet was also a landscape painter with a love for his native region, to which he pays homage in many of his paintings.
Why not follow in the painter's footsteps by visiting his favourite places and admiring his works? Off you go!
The Courbet Museum
200m², 21 exhibition rooms and a unique collection of paintings, sculptures and drawings to better understand the artist, Gustave Courbet, and his strong attachment to his native region.
Source of the River Loue
Gustave Courbert was deeply moved by the beauty of this natural site and painted the scene about a dozen times! You too will succumb to the mysterious atmosphere that surrounds the source of the Loue.
Flagey Farm
This former property of the Courbet family is now a lively culture venue that also has a superb garden. The perfect addition to your immersion in the life and times of Courbet!
The Courbet trails
To soak up the atmosphere of the places that influenced the artist's life and vision, you'll find eight walking trails ranging from 4 to 13km in the heart of the Loue Valley
Focus on the Lison Valley
Beyond the Loue Valley, the rolling landscape continues along the enchanting Lison Valley, dominated by an intensity of revitalising greenery thanks to the constant presence of water. Along the way you'll stop on the river bank to capture the scenery with your camera:
- The medieval castle of Cléron
- The mirror of Scey
- The source of the River Lison
