Montferrand-Le-Château combines castle ruins high above the Doubs Valley with a circular hike down to the river and a market that rotates between four municipalities. This offers different ways to plan a stay: medieval architectural history, a clearly defined hike and a monthly market date.
The Castle Above the Doubs Valley
The imposing ruins of Montferrand Castle stand above the Doubs Valley at an altitude of 354 metres. The outer defensive walls and the keep, which once served as the lord of the castle’s residence, have survived. The castle also once had two chapels, dedicated to Saint Nicholas and Saint Bartholomew. The history of the site therefore encompasses both its defensive and residential functions and its religious dedications.
The keep stands on a rocky ledge 150 metres above the village and can be reached on foot. Check local access conditions before your visit. At the foot of the castle ruins, there is also a viewpoint on a 150-metre-high rocky summit overlooking the Doubs Valley.
A Circular Hike with Clear Details
The “Crête et Bois Rapin” circular hike is 10.2 kilometres long, of moderate difficulty and takes about three hours. It starts and ends at the Aire de jeux de Montferrand-le-Château. This makes it possible to consider the distance, difficulty and time required together. The duration is approximate; route details may also be subject to change. Follow the local signs along the way.
The route leads to the banks of the Doubs and into the wild, flood-prone Bois Rapin area. Take this character of the area into account when planning. If you are also interested in cycling, EuroVelo 6 runs through the Doubs Valley between Dole and Basel. Check current route conditions before setting out.
Glassworks and Workers’ Housing
The town’s history extends beyond the castle. The Montferrand glassworks was established in 1859 on the foundations of the former Moulin Neuf and had a glass-polishing workshop with 150 polishing lathes. It had a glass-polishing workshop with 150 polishing lathes; luxury table services in the style of cut crystal glass were produced there. Alongside the medieval site, glassworking offers another perspective on the town’s history.
Eight houses from Montferrand’s former workers’ settlement still stand on Rue des Cités and Rue des Salines. The blanchisserie joint-stock company built them around 1940. Together with the date, the street names offer a concrete reference point for this later period in the town’s history.
The Rotating Market
The Marché des 4 Villages is a market held jointly with Boussières, Thoraise and Grandfontaine. It takes place in turn in one of the four municipalities; Montferrand-Le-Château is one of the host locations. It is held on the first Friday of each month from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Local food producers and artisans offering both food and non-food products provide a varied selection of quality goods. There are also entertainment activities, performances, concerts and numerous activities for children and adults.
If you would like to plan an evening at the market, check in advance which municipality is hosting that edition. This lets you take the rotating venue into account when choosing your travel dates.
Discover more destinations: Quingey, Charbonnières-Les-Sapins, Bonnétage, Nans-sous-Sainte-Anne, Fournet-Blancheroche, Métabief, Valoreille, Besançon.
For the regional travel overview: Doubs.
