Villersexel combines distinctive architectural heritage with several ways to spend time outdoors. These include the Voie Verte de la Vallée de l’Ognon, the Chemin de Saint Jacques de Compostelle and a canoe rental service. For planning a trip, these offer different options: local history, a route with designated uses, a pilgrimage trail and nature in the Ognon Valley. You can tailor your stay to whichever aspect interests you most.
Townscape and heritage
The Bourg en Haut is laid out around the town hall square and includes a church with a traditional Comtois bell tower. Villersexel church dates from the 18th century and has a carved pulpit and valuable relics. The layout of the Bourg en Haut gives a sense of the townscape; the pulpit and relics are specific features of the church’s interior.
White stone and red brick meet at the Château de Villersexel. Its façade is inspired by Louis XIII, and its crenellated tower is the only surviving remnant of the medieval castle. The Porte de la Palud is a separate feature: it is the only surviving remnant of the old town’s fortification walls. One remnant points to the medieval castle, the other to the town’s fortifications. This makes it possible to distinguish two different parts of the architectural heritage.
Villersexel has also preserved a fully furnished pharmacy with old medical instruments, which can be visited. Here, the focus is on the furnishings and instruments, rather than a façade or fortification. For those interested in culture, it adds an interior space to the options, quite different from the architectural landmarks described above.
Routes, water and nature
The 54-kilometre Voie Verte de la Vallée de l’Ognon connects La Côte with Fontenois-les-Montbozon and runs mostly through Villersexel. It is designated for cyclists, pedestrians and roller skaters. This makes it a specific route option for three modes of travel; check local conditions before setting out.
The 150-kilometre Chemin de Saint Jacques de Compostelle begins in Villersexel. The routes answer different planning questions: the Voie Verte has two endpoints and three designated modes of travel, while the Chemin is defined by its starting point in Villersexel and its total length. Check the current conditions on some sections of the Chemin in advance.
Plein Air et Nautisme rents out canoes from its water sports base in Villersexel. If you plan to rent one, check seasonal conditions before travelling, as operating details may change.
The Ognon Valley near Villersexel is home to kingfishers, grey herons, foxes and deer. While the architectural heritage can be explored through individual buildings and facilities, wildlife is part of the valley’s natural setting. If you would like to include nature as well as culture, you can weigh these two interests separately when planning your trip.
Planning around market day
Wednesday is still market day in the historic town centre. If you would like to plan your visit around the market, check the current market calendar in advance.
Discover more destinations: Chargey-lès-Port, Saint-Bresson, Colombotte, Plancher-Bas, Champlitte, Delain, Filain, Dampierre-Sur-Salon
For the broader travel overview: Haute-Saône.
