Gy combines architectural history with nature and outdoor activities. Château de Gy and Église Saint-Symphorien represent different chapters in the town’s history; a guided tour takes you through the historic upper town. The Monts de Gy offer a different focus, with dry grasslands and mountain bike trails. If you’re looking for a hotel in Gy, you can plan your stay around whether you want to focus on culture, landscapes or outdoor activities.
Cultural History in Gy
From the 12th century until the French Revolution, Château de Gy was the traditional residence of the archbishops of Besançon. The privately owned château houses a museum on the ground floor that is open to visitors; the cellars and park can also be visited. Check access arrangements before your visit.
The floor plan of Église Saint-Symphorien is inspired by a Roman basilica. The church also contains a 17th-century polychrome wooden depiction of the Crucifixion—that is, a depiction painted in several colours. The work has been protected as a Monument historique since 1968. The architectural reference and the artwork offer two distinct points of interest within the cultural theme.
Another point of reference in time is the Grande Fontaine, built by César Convers and Alphonse Delacroix between 1830 and 1835. It dates from considerably later than the château’s history as a residence. Gy has also been awarded the Cité de Caractère de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté designation.
Nature and Mountain Biking in the Monts de Gy
The dry grasslands of the Monts de Gy are home to 286 plant species, 69 bird species, 72 butterfly species, 30 species of orthopterans and five reptile species. Alongside the architectural history, they offer a distinct natural history focus: the species listed include plants and several groups of animals.
For mountain biking, the Base VTT des Monts de Gy offers seven signposted trails with a combined length of 135 km, and the difficulty levels vary. The total length refers to the network of trails, not to a single ride. When planning, compare the individual trails and their difficulty levels rather than treating 135 km as the length of one route. Check current trail conditions before setting out.
The Way of St James and Guided Tours
The Way of St James also passes through Gy, adding a pilgrimage route to the mountain biking options. A guided tour of Gy takes you through the historic upper town, also known as Vieux Bourg, and shows you richly decorated façades, a church and cellars. The tour also includes the last tower of the former fortifications, as well as views over the lower town and the surrounding landscape. If you plan to join the tour, check the booking conditions in advance.
When looking for a hotel in Gy, you can decide what to focus on: cultural history and a guided tour on the one hand, or mountain biking and the Way of St James on the other. If you want to make time for both, decide which theme you’d like to give more attention to during your stay.
Discover more destinations: Dampierre-Sur-Salon, Fougerolles, Faucogney-Et-La-Mer, Cult, Hugier, Conflandey, Villersexel, Scey-Sur-Saône-Et-Saint-Albin.
For the regional travel overview: Haute-Saône.
