The Plateau des 1000 Étangs is a wetland of European significance in the southern part of the Vosges Saônoises. Its landscape was shaped by the retreat of the glaciers and covers 220 km². Rare ecosystems and exceptional biodiversity define this vast natural area. Those wishing to explore the region on foot will find more than 30 hiking routes; there is also an equestrian route, a waymarked route and two gravel routes.
Explore the plateau in different ways
The Échappée des 1000 Étangs offers a unique way to experience the landscape. This multisensory route runs for more than 60 kilometres between Faucogney-et-la-Mer and Château-Lambert and includes six interactive landscape stops. These include the Church of Saint-Martin in Faucogney-et-la-Mer and the remains of Saint Columban’s first European monastery in Annegray. At the Grilloux landscape stop in Servance, a suspended net offers elevated views across the ponds.
The plateau thus offers several ways to explore: an extensive network of hiking trails, an equestrian route and gravel routes on the one hand, and a longer route with purpose-designed landscape stops on the other. The Monts de Gy add a seasonal contrast: wild orchids bloom in spring, while the deer rut can be experienced in autumn. Routes of the Camino de Compostela and the GR154 Via Francigena also cross there.
Discover architecture and history
The Chapelle Notre-Dame-du-Haut in Ronchamp is Haute-Saône’s only UNESCO World Heritage site and a major work by Le Corbusier. UNESCO recognises the chapel’s revolutionary approach to religious architecture. Château d’Oricourt tells a different story: the fortified castle dates back to the 12th century and is considered the best-preserved example of its kind in Franche-Comté.
Château de Ray-sur-Saône stands on a rocky promontory above the Saône Valley. Its present-day form developed after the medieval construction, its destruction in the 17th century and its reconstruction in the 18th century. The château can only be visited on guided tours. In Luxeuil-les-Bains, artistic and historical heritage meet thermal waters—a further highlight alongside the castles and architecture of Ronchamp.
Rivers, cycling routes and local produce
A 150-kilometre canoe route along the Ognon leads to the Saône; small weirs are part of the route. Fishing is also popular in the river and pond landscapes: opportunities can be found on the Breuchin and Ognon, both category-one rivers, as well as in private ponds. For cycle tourists, the Voie Bleue connects Luxembourg and Lyon via the Moselle and Saône valleys. Its stretch in Haute-Saône covers 142 kilometres. The Chemin Vert links the Voie Bleue cycle route with EuroVelo 6.
Regional specialties range from Gruyère and IGP-cancoillotte to Luxeuil ham, wines, and kirsch and cherries from Fougerolles. Kirsch is a spirit made by distilling cherries and received AOC status in 2010. At markets and traditional farms, you can sample cheese, honey, fruit juices and other local products. In the Ognon Valley, IGP-cancoillotte and wines are associated with Hugier, Bucey-lès-Gy, Motey-Besuche, Le Moutherot and Offlanges. Culinary discoveries thus complement the options for exploring nature trails, river landscapes and cultural sites.
Discover more destinations: Gray, Raddon-Et-Chapendu, Saint-Julien, Vanne, Villars-Le-Pautel, Anchenoncourt, Plancher-Bas, Fondremand, Huanne, La Proiseliere Et Langle, Montboillon, Savoyeux, Theuley, Vernois Sur Mance, Raincourt, Cirey, Esmoulières, Esprels, Leffond, Servance, Fontenois-La-Ville, Saint-Bresson, Villersexel, Luxeuil-Les-Bains, Igny, Froideterre, Oricourt, Miellin, Ronchamp, La Rosière, Gray-La-Ville, Nantilly, Lavoncourt, Fresse, Beulotte-Saint-Laurent, Fougerolles, Baulay, Gy, Faucogney-Et-La-Mer, Vesoul, Scey-Sur-Saône-Et-Saint-Albin, Aillevillers-Et-Lyaumont, Corbenay, Champagney, Chargey-Lès-Gray, Aisey-Et-Richecourt, Lure, Cuve, Haut-Du-Them-Château-Lambert, La Villedieu-En-Fontenette, Bucey-Lès-Gy, Rioz, Aillevans, Beaujeu-Saint-Vallier-Pierrejux-Et-Quitteur, Bourguignon-Lès-Morey, La Demie, Clairegoutte, Marnay, Pusy-Et-Épenoux, Héricourt, Chassey Les Montbozon, Belfahy, Port-Sur-Saône, Dampierre-Sur-Salon, Fretigney-Et-Velloreille, Saint-Loup-Sur-Semouse, Champlitte, Traves, Magny-Jobert, Bousseraucourt, Plancher-Les-Mines, Saulx, Passavant-La-Rochère, La Neuvelle-Lès-Scey, Briaucourt, Breurey-Lès-Faverney, Amblans-Et-Velotte, Colombotte, Polaincourt-Et-Clairefontaine, Villers-Bouton, Ray-Sur-Saône, Confracourt, Chariez, Abelcourt, Châteney, Conflandey, Frasne-le-Château, Filain, Bourbévelle, Anjeux, La Résie-Saint-Martin, Hugier, Quenoche, Corravillers, La Vaivre, Soing-Cubry-Charentenay, La Basse-Vaivre, Écromagny, Pesmes, Mélisey, Faymont, Errevet, Villers-sur-Port, Moffans-et-Vacheresse, Étuz, Delain, Coisevaux, Chargey-lès-Port, Charcenne, Genevreuille, La Roche-Morey, Volon, Esboz-Brest, Fresne-Saint-Mamès, Saint-Sauveur, Brotte-lès-Ray, Cult, Chaux-lès-Port, La Barre.
Go to the main travel overview: Franche Comte.
