The history of Laval-Le-Prieuré is reflected in both the Eglise Saint-Sulpice and the former mill and sawmill complex, Moulin Girardot. The Mur-Mur(es) de pierres walking trail also draws attention to dry-stone walls, while walks in the Natura 2000 site offer opportunities to observe green woodpeckers and red kites. For planning purposes, you can consider these topics as distinct areas of interest: heritage, landscape or wildlife.
Church and mill site
The Eglise Saint-Sulpice was founded around 1125 by Augustinian Canons Regular who came from the Abbey of Saint-Maurice d’Agaune in Valais, Switzerland. Its foundation therefore dates to the 12th century and is linked to a specific religious community and its origins. The church has been listed as a Monument historique since 1926. Its founding date and protected status mark two different stages in its history: its establishment and its later listing as protected heritage.
The Moulin Girardot, a former grain mill and sawmill, includes a mill site near Les Anvers and Plain du Moulin in Laval-Le-Prieuré. The sawmill area was listed as a Monument historique by decree dated 3 August 2004. The listing includes the sawmill building and drying shed, as well as the loading quay, railway track, fixed installations and machinery, and the channel beneath the two buildings. The protection therefore covers structures and technical components, not just the sawmill building. The two listing dates are 78 years apart.
Walks, dry-stone walls and nature
The Mur-Mur(es) de pierres walking trail passes dry-stone walls. These include boundary walls and retaining walls, which serve different purposes: boundary walls mark boundaries, while retaining walls support the terrain. This distinction draws attention not only to the material but also to the walls’ function in the landscape. If you are interested in traditional building heritage, the trail complements the history of the church and industry with traces of construction in the landscape.
During walks in the Natura 2000 site of Laval-Le-Prieuré, you can observe green woodpeckers and red kites. Bats are also mentioned in connection with night walks. The observation contexts therefore differ: birds during walks, and bats in connection with walks at night. The Vallées du Dessoubre, de la Reverotte et du Doubs are also designated as a Natura 2000 site.
The Grotte de Sainte-Catherine
The Grotte de Sainte-Catherine is regularly visited by cavers as an introductory cave. If you are considering a visit, check the access requirements for caving and the conditions on site in advance. Because bats are found there, visitors should remain quiet and inconspicuous at the cave entrance. Practical planning for this cave therefore includes both the conditions for visiting and being considerate at the entrance.
Discover more destinations: Maîche, Cubry, Dampierre-les-Bois, Baume-Les-Dames, Nans-sous-Sainte-Anne, Saint-Antoine, Montferrand-Le-Château, Rougemont
For the broader travel overview: Doubs.
