A circular trail to the Plateau de Cita combines woodland, meadows and views—a specific focus for a stay in La Demie. The easy “De la Croix de Cassini au Plateau de Cita” hike is 7.5 kilometres long and takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes. From the plateau, you can see Échenoz-la-Méline, Noidans-lès-Vesoul and Vesoul.

Hiking to the Plateau de Cita

The circular trail alternates between woodland and paths through meadows. It passes through the woodland areas of Navenne, La Demie and Échenoz-la-Méline before reaching the Plateau de Cita. The prehistoric site there is described as a fortified promontory. This means that nature and a specific place with prehistoric significance are part of the same hike. The view from the plateau takes in several nearby places; the trail itself also offers views of Vesoul and the Vesoul urban area.

At 7.5 kilometres long, with an approximate duration of two and a half hours and an easy rating, the hike is easy to fit into your day’s plans. Allow extra time for breaks and a longer stay on the plateau. If you would prefer a shorter walk, the hill crowned by the Croix de Cassini is also a suitable option.

A landscape above the Colombine valley

The area around the Plateau de Cita is part of the “Pelouses de la région vésulienne et vallée de la Colombine” Natura 2000 site in Navenne, La Demie and Échenoz-la-Méline. The larger protected area is characterised by dry grasslands on plateaus and slopes overlooking the small Colombine valley. This landscape extends beyond the plateau area itself and places it within a natural area encompassing several municipalities.

The hike alternates between woodland sections and meadow paths, with the open plateau landscape adding another element at the plateau. You can experience different types of landscape along the route rather than focusing the outing solely on the viewpoint at the end. Nature enthusiasts can therefore choose the circular trail based on whether they prefer a varied route or want to focus mainly on the view from the plateau.

Church and stone heritage

The Église Saint-Rémy also reflects several historical building phases: its Gothic choir dates from the 16th century, while the nave dates from the 18th century. The different periods when they were built make the building’s architectural history tangible without assigning the church to just one era. Old tombstones can also be seen inside the church. If you would like to visit the interior, check access arrangements before your visit.

Another example of stone heritage is the Croix de Saint-Antoine. The stone cross was listed by decree on 4 December 1959. Here, the focus is on the monument’s listing rather than on a particular building phase. For a culturally oriented stay, this offers several points of interest: the church’s architectural history, its tombstones and the listed cross.

Getting your bearings in La Demie

La Demie is a few kilometres from Vesoul, halfway between the N57 towards Besançon and the D9 towards Villersexel. This geographical orientation complements the local highlights of hiking, landscapes and architectural history. When planning your stay, you can first decide how much time to set aside for the hike and whether you would also like to make time to visit the church and the stone heritage sites. This makes it possible to choose La Demie according to your own interests without treating the circular trail and historical visits as a single activity.

Discover more destinations: Charcenne, Villers-Bouton, Saulx, Soing-Cubry-Charentenay, Baulay, Bousseraucourt, Errevet, Lure.

Go to the main travel overview: Haute-Saône.