At Le Mont, in the western part of the municipality of Fresne-Saint-Mamès, steep dry grasslands and local rock outcrops shape the landscape; at least seven orchid species have been observed here. Other highlights include the Sentier botanique du Mont, the church of Saint-Léger and a leisure complex with sports and play facilities. If you are looking for accommodation in Fresne-Saint-Mamès, you can weigh up nature, local history and leisure activities as priorities for your stay.

Le Mont and the botanical trail

The meadows at Le Mont consist mostly of steep, shrub-covered areas known as dry grasslands, on limestone and marly limestone. Local rocky outcrops add to the landscape. The slope, vegetation and rock give the area a distinctive character. At least seven orchid species have been observed here, adding a botanical point of interest to the landscape.

The Sentier botanique du Mont builds on this connection with plants through themed information boards about the local flora. From a shelter along the trail, you can see Fresne in the foreground and the Monts de Gy in the background. The shelter offers a place to stop for a picnic and protection in bad weather. The botanical trail therefore brings together two distinct interests: information about local plant life and a view that places Fresne and the Monts de Gy in the foreground and background.

Saint-Léger and local history

The church of Saint-Léger adds architectural and artistic history to the landscape highlights. Its oldest part, the choir and transept, appears to date from the 12th and 13th centuries. The church is listed in the supplementary inventory of historic monuments. Inside is the sculptural group “Vierge de Pitié,” which dates to the 15th and 16th centuries. A lime tree stands in front of the church and, according to tradition, dates back to 1340.

The story of a priory that no longer exists is also part of the local history: the lords of Grandson founded it in the 15th century, and through the priory Fresne-Saint-Mamès is connected with the European network of Chaise-Dieu (Casa Dei) sites of the Casadean order. Saint-Léger and this history offer different points of historical interest, from the architecture’s tentative dating and the sculpture to the traditional date given for the lime tree.

Another example of local rural heritage is the Fontaine-Lavoir-Abreuvoir de Fresne-Saint-Mamès. Its name combines a fountain, washhouse and watering trough; the complex was restored with support from the Haute-Saône Department as part of a project to restore local rural heritage.

Cycling loop and leisure activities

Cycling loop No. 16, “Les Tilleuls,” passes through protected natural areas with remarkable trees, including plane trees, a lime tree and a Lebanese cedar. Different aspects take centre stage here than on the Sentier botanique: the botanical trail features themed information boards about the flora and the view from the shelter, while the cycling loop focuses on protected natural areas and remarkable trees. This makes the differences between the two nature-focused outings clear without presenting them as a single route.

The leisure complex in Fresne-Saint-Mamès includes two tennis courts, a volleyball court, a lit pétanque court, a mini-golf course, children’s play equipment, a skittle alley, a table tennis table, a giant chessboard, a roller-skating rink and a climbing wall. The options range from court sports to games and physical activities. These facilities complement the town’s nature and heritage highlights with specific leisure activities that can be included as a separate focus when planning your stay.

Discover more destinations: Cuve, Genevreuille, Charcenne, Igny, Leffond, Corbenay, Coisevaux, Scey-Sur-Saône-Et-Saint-Albin

For the regional travel overview: Haute-Saône.