Souvans lies on the left bank of the Loue, where the Cuisance flows into the river. The Voie Grévy also passes through the commune. This combination of a riverside setting, a clearly defined route and distinctive traces of local history makes Souvans a destination with easy-to-distinguish highlights: enjoy the outdoors along the route, or explore the architecture, fortifications and landscape features. When choosing accommodation in Souvans, it helps to first consider which of these highlights you want to shape your stay.

The Loue riverbank and the Voie Grévy

The paved Voie Grévy is 19 kilometres long, runs between Dole and Mont-sous-Vaudrey, and passes through Souvans. It is suitable for pedestrians, cyclists, roller skaters and pushchairs, and is reserved exclusively for non-motorised traffic, with the exception of authorised users. You can use either a conventional bicycle or an electric bicycle on the route.

When planning, it is worth distinguishing the section through Souvans from the two endpoints of the longer route. The straightforward connection to EuroVelo 6 is in Dole. This gives you two different points of reference: the route through Souvans and the connection to the European cycle route in Dole. If cycling is the main focus of your trip, you can consider these sections separately when making your choice.

Saint Martin Church and its details

Dedicated to Saint Martin, Saint Martin Church comprises several clearly distinguishable parts: a portal, a nave, a bell tower above a baptistery, a side chapel and a sacristy. The lower part of the bell tower and the baptistery are adorned with grotesquely carved figures and animal gargoyles. This sculpture is dated to the 13th century.

A Gothic stone cross stands in front of the church. Christ is depicted on one side and the Blessed Virgin on the other. In contrast to the figurative decoration on the tower and baptistery, the cross adds a different emphasis: each of its two sides features its own religious image. Saint Martin thus offers distinct forms of sculpture in different locations.

Fortification remains and landscape

Souvans has Roman remains of castles and fortifications that served to protect the Loue basin. At Château Saillard, two different details tell us about the site: the plateau is scattered with numerous fragments of bricks with moulded edges. Beside Château Saillard is a wide, deep ditch; its inner slope is reinforced by a substantial earth rampart. Here, traces in the material on the plateau sit alongside features of the fortifications.

Another point of reference in the landscape is the plateau between the last houses in Souvans and Mont-sous-Vaudrey. There it forms a steep escarpment more than 100 metres high. This striking edge to the terrain complements the riverside setting on the Loue with a second specific landscape feature. Together, the route, buildings and terrain provide different ways to get a sense of Souvans for your stay: as a place on the Loue, a stop along the Voie Grévy, and a site of heritage architecture and fortification remains.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Alièze, Doucier, Lac Des Rouges Truites, Grusse, Prenovel, Fontainebrux, Gizia, Arbois

For the regional travel overview: Jura.