A former gravel pit is now a remarkable natural area in Geneuille: the Gravière de Geneuille offers a nature trail through gravel pits, reed beds, wet meadows and damp woodland. At a viewing point, you can watch birds without disturbing them. To discover other aspects of the village beyond its wetland habitats, you’ll find short walking and hiking trails, a guided e-bike tour and tangible traces of its paper-making history.
Nature Sites and Getting Around
The Gravière is a sensitive natural area with an accessible pond. Its nature trail leads through a variety of wetland habitats, and the viewing point is ideal for discreet birdwatching. There is also a fishing spot, a picnic area and a children’s playground. If you’re planning to fish, check the access information before you travel.
The municipal Les Peupliers site offers a different experience. There’s space to walk and relax, as well as enjoy outdoor games, fishing and reading. The focus differs between the two sites: wetlands and birdwatching shape a visit to the Gravière, while Les Peupliers offers a range of recreational activities.
Access to the Gravière begins at a car park on Chemin des Prés Secs. The car park is signposted from the D14 in the centre of Geneuille, making the starting point for a visit to the natural area easy to locate.
Trails and E-Bike Tours
Several short walking and hiking trails pass through the municipal forests and reach the shores of Étang de l’Aurêtre. The GR® 145 Via Francigena also runs through Geneuille. These offer different points of reference when planning a route: the local walking and hiking trails are explicitly described as short and lead to the shore, while the GR® 145 is defined by its route through the municipality.
Chaux et LĂ©gendes organizes guided themed discovery tours by electric bike in Geneuille. Participants must be at least 1.55 m tall; electric bikes and helmets are provided. The tour starts with a welcome coffee, followed by an introduction to the route, instructions on using the electric bikes and safety advice. This makes the experience clearly different from the short walking trails: it combines a themed commentary with an introduction to the bikes and safety advice.
Paper-Making History and Architecture
A notable chapter in the village’s history began in 1834, when the Outhenin-Chalandre family began building a mechanical paper mill. When the mill closed in 1968, it still employed around 100 workers. This approximate figure gives an idea of the scale of the operation at the time it closed.
The “Chant des Papetiers” is also part of local culture. It is considered Geneuille’s “national anthem” and is still sung by some older villagers. The Église de la Nativité de Notre-Dame offers another historical point of interest: it was built on the remains of a 14th-century chapel and rebuilt in 1727. The church thus connects the history of an older chapel with a specific date of reconstruction.
Accommodation in Geneuille
A municipal history account records the Château de la Dame Blanche as a three-star hotel-restaurant since 2001. Check its current classification before booking. The local nature and cultural attractions also offer different ways to decide what to focus on during your stay in Geneuille.
Discover more destinations: La Chenalotte, Flagey, Villers-Le-Lac, Clerval, Malbuisson, Loray, Chamesol, Montbéliard
For the broader travel overview: Doubs.
