When planning a trip to Bonnay, history and practical activities go hand in hand: the Église Saint-Lazare and the Château offer glimpses into different periods, while walking trails to Fort de la Dame Blanche and a gravel route through the village each offer a distinct focus. If you are looking for a holiday rental, you could first ask yourself whether village history, a hike or a bike ride matters most for your stay—instead of trying to fit every topic into a fixed daily schedule.
Village History Through the Ages
The Église Saint-Lazare de Bonnay has been documented since 967. The Château de Bonnay dates from the 18th century and was built on the site of an older fortified house. These details point to different periods in the village’s history.
On 20 April 1994, the château was listed as a Monument historique. The listing covers not only the château but also the farm, the boundary wall, the gates and the garden. The estate includes an English landscape garden from the 19th century, adding another period to the story of the older fortified house and the château.
The two fountains can also be distinguished by specific details. The present-day fountain on the main square dates from 1841 and was covered in 1912. The fountain at the lower edge of the village still has two rectangular cast-iron basins. The comparison therefore focuses on different features: the date and later roof of the fountain on the main square, and the shape and material of the basins at the lower edge of the village.
The Ognon and the Réserve biologique intégrale de la Dame Blanche
Near Bonnay, the Ognon borders the municipal area mainly by the hamlet of Fly. At the same time, the river forms a natural boundary between the Doubs and Haute-Saône departments. These are two different scales: the river’s relationship to the municipality near Fly and its role as a boundary between departments.
Of the Réserve biologique intégrale de la Dame Blanche, 33.45 hectares lie within Bonnay. Peregrine falcons and common ravens nest in the reserve on the cliffs below Fort de la Dame Blanche. The reserve’s habitats also include calcareous dry grasslands, as well as cliffs and scree with limestone faces and caves. The nature highlights therefore include both the protected area and specific details about its wildlife and habitats.
Walking, Cycling and Village Walks
Walking trails to Fort de la Dame Blanche start in Bonnay. The “L’Ognon fait la force” gravel route also passes through the village. It offers a different way to plan a trip: an official brochure dated 2 June 2026 describes it as an easy gravel loop and gives a distance of 40.4 kilometres, a duration of 3 hours and 30 minutes, and 574 metres of elevation gain. Taken together, the distance, stated time and elevation gain provide a practical guide for planning this bike ride.
The loop can also be done from Franche-Comté TGV station or Ecole-Valentin station. As route details and transport arrangements may change, check this information before setting off. The Grand Besançon Tourist Office also offers a guided walk in Bonnay to discover the village. It is seasonal, so check the dates and availability before including it in your plans.
There are several ways to choose a focus for your trip: historic buildings and fountains, walking trails with the fort as a destination, a gravel loop with stated timings and elevation figures, and a seasonal village walk. You can weigh up which ones suit your stay based on their themes and planning requirements.
Discover more destinations: Villers-Le-Lac, Corcelle-Mieslot, By, Lods, Montbenoît, Cléron, Buffard, Métabief
For the regional travel overview: Doubs.
