Clerval combines the history of a fortified town with the landscape between mountains and rivers. Visitors choosing the town for a stay can explore culture and nature as two distinct highlights: the Château and its museums tell the story of the town and the Doubs Valley; the walking trails lead across slopes and through woodland, with scenic views along the way.
The Château and the town’s history
Clerval’s development is closely linked to a castle: over the centuries, the fortified town, enclosed by walls, grew up around it. The Château de Clerval was built by Hugues de Chalon, Count of Burgundy, on the left bank of the Doubs in the 12th century. It was intended to oversee passage through the gorge formed by the river in the Lomont massif. The town’s development, the course of the river and the surveillance of a natural passage are thus directly connected.
Inside the Château, visitors can see a monumental fireplace, an oven, loopholes, staircases and preserved graffiti. The combination of defensive features, fittings and surviving traces makes the building’s history tangible through individual details. In 1987, the municipality restored the Château; today it houses the Musée de la Mémoire et de la Paix.
Museums and historical themes
The Musée de la Mémoire et de la Paix traces the history of the major conflicts of the 19th and 20th centuries and commemorates the resistance groups of the Doubs Valley during the Second World War. The museum offers a child-friendly route, as well as guided tours and self-guided visits. As visitor options may change, check in advance which type of visit is available on your chosen date.
The Musée de la Cave de la Ville Haute presents exhibitions on the history of Clerval’s foundry. It is located in a cellar beneath a half-timbered house opposite the town hall. Check the latest information before planning a visit.
The Grotte de Milopet adds a much earlier period to these historical themes: the cave contains traces of human settlement dating from the Neolithic.
Walks with different highlights
The Circuit de la Chapelle starts on Place du Gravier, next to an information board. The trail crosses open woodland and reaches its highest point at 521 metres, where there is a panoramic view of Clerval and the valley. The slope was formerly used as a vineyard by Clerval and Chaux. This historical connection adds a specific trace of past land use to the scenic view.
La Chapelle du Reposoir is a 5.7 km circular route taking two hours, of moderate difficulty, with 257 metres of elevation gain. It leads to a viewpoint overlooking the entire municipality, the gorge and the valley. The distance, duration, difficulty and elevation gain may change if the route is revised; check these details before setting out.
Cycling and a stay by the Doubs
On the EuroVelo 6 section between L’Isle-sur-le-Doubs and Baume-les-Dames, the route between Clerval and Roche-lès-Clerval follows the road for part of the way. As route surfaces and traffic conditions may change, check the current route and conditions for this section before your trip.
There is a campsite on the banks of the Doubs where fishing is possible. If this combination is important for your stay, check access and operating conditions in advance.
Discover more destinations: Les Fontenelles, La Chenalotte, Mouthe, Arc-Et-Senans, Pontarlier, Buffard, Larnod, Bart
Return to the regional travel guide: Doubs.
