The easy Belvédère des Deux Lacs depuis le Brey circular hike brings a touch of nature to Brey-Et-Maison-Du-Bois; the church, paintings and chapel add religious art and architectural history to the picture. This combination lets you decide whether to focus on hiking or cultural history when planning, depending on what you feel like doing.
An easy loop with forest, water and views
The Belvédère des Deux Lacs depuis le Brey route is an easy circular hike covering 5.1 kilometers. It includes 162 meters of ascent and 158 meters of descent. The start and finish are at the Mairie parking lot in Brey-Et-Maison-Du-Bois. Its easy rating can be considered separately from the distance and elevation profile.
The route passes through the Forêt du Mont-Sainte-Marie. It offers views of the marshes and reed beds of Lac de Remoray, as well as the mouth of the Drésine. The Belvédère des Deux Lacs provides a remarkable viewpoint over a valley of glacial origin, with Lac de Remoray and Lac de Saint-Point. The hike also includes an interpretive trail about the water cycle, with nine discovery stations for families. While the trail focuses on the water cycle, the forest, wetlands and lakes shape the scenery.
When choosing a hike, you can consider not only its length and elevation gain but also whether you prefer scenic views or a themed discovery trail. The loop thus combines specific route details with two different nature themes: views of lakes and wetlands, and the water cycle.
Churches, chapel and sacred art
The present-day parish church, Église Saint-Sébastien, was built in 1837 and dates from the first half of the 19th century. Earlier religious buildings were replaced in the process. The church houses a statue of the Vierge à l'Enfant dating from the second half of the 17th century. It depicts the standing Virgin with a crown, scepter and crescent moon. Another work is the painting “Vierge à l'Enfant, saint Jean-Baptiste et sainte Agnès de Rome,” donated by the emperor in 1860. The statue therefore belongs to a different period from the church building; the painting adds a third historical reference point through its 1860 donation.
The Chapelle Sainte-Barbe was restored by the municipality in 2013. It consists of a single-nave space with a small wooden high altar, a revolving tabernacle and a statue of Saint Barbara. “Single-nave” describes the basic layout of the space: it has one nave. This makes it possible to distinguish the architectural layout from the three named furnishings. The dates mark different periods: the parish church was built in 1837, while the municipality restored the chapel in 2013.
Discover more destinations: Marchaux, Saint-Antoine, Chamesol, Larnod, Laval-Le-Prieuré, Geneuille, La Chenalotte, Étupes
For the overview of the wider region: Doubs.
