A former military fort where Comté matures is at the heart of a visit to Saint-Antoine: the fort combines a military past with its current use as maturing cellars. It was built between 1879 and 1882 as a military fort to protect the eastern border; from 1966, Marcel Petite converted it into Comté maturing cellars. During a guided tour of the Caves d'affinage du Fort de Saint-Antoine, you can learn more about the cheese’s slow maturing process. The tour lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes and is available by prior reservation only.
Walking with Views of the Alps
The Fort Saint-Antoine circular walking route is a moderately difficult 8.5-kilometre loop; walking time is about 2 hours and 45 minutes. The route passes through picturesque foothills and communal pastureland and reaches a viewpoint overlooking the Alps and the Grand Combin massif, which is 4,314 metres high. Yellow and blue trail markers, as well as the number 10, identify the route. This makes it possible to assess the trail by its difficulty, length and duration, while the viewpoint offers a specific highlight along the way.
Cycling Routes with Different Timeframes
The ReMouthable Tour is a difficult 122.7-kilometre gravel loop. It is designed to take two days, but can also be completed in three or four days. Its section through Saint-Antoine leads to the fort and the Comté maturing cellars; a visit there is available by prior reservation. Another cycling tour, Vélo et Baignade au Lac de Saint-Point, follows a different route: it leads to the fort and its cellars, then continues to Lac de Saint-Point.
There are different ways to get around and plan your time: a moderately difficult walk lasting just under three hours, or a difficult, multi-day gravel ride. The cycling route to Lac de Saint-Point offers another option, without a duration specified here. When planning, consider whether you would like to focus on a single tour or on the multi-day loop.
Church and Visit Planning
The church of Saint-Antoine is also a cultural attraction in its own right. Its carved wooden high altar with retable dates from the 18th century. To visit the church, request the keys from the municipal administration. This means planning a church visit differs from planning a visit to the fort: for the church, you need the keys from the municipal administration; for the guided tour of the maturing cellars, you need to book in advance.
The durations listed can help you plan your stay around your interests: the guided tour lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes, the circular walking route about 2 hours and 45 minutes, while the ReMouthable Tour is designed to take two days and can be extended to three or four days. These figures refer to different activities and should not be treated as a single itinerary. If you are looking for hotels in Saint-Antoine, you might first consider whether your stay will focus mainly on the fort and the walk, or whether you are planning the longer gravel tour. Remember to book the fort visit in advance and request the church keys from the municipal administration.
Discover more destinations: Villars-Sous-Écot, Sancey-Le-Grand, Châtelblanc, Vuillecin, Montbéliard, Étalans, Grandfontaine-Sur-Creuse, Bonnay.
Go to the main travel overview: Doubs.
