A church fountain with its own name, several construction phases and a cross-border circular trail shape the discoveries in Villars-le-Sec. The church of Notre-Dame de la Nativité and the history of the village provide a clear focus for cultural interest; the “Sur le plateau de l’Ajoie” circular trail starts in Villars-le-Sec and offers a hike with set details. If you want to plan your time in advance, the stated duration and distance can help you plan a hike lasting several hours.
Local history and landscape
Villars-le-Sec originated around the 9th century as a dependent settlement of Murbach Abbey. This early history sits alongside the church’s much later construction phases. The landscape is also distinctive: the village lies at the first foothills of the Jura’s limestone plateaus. The municipal forest covers 50 hectares and consists mainly of oak and beech trees. The limestone plateaus and woodland are therefore among the different facets of the village’s character.
Church, Stations of the Cross and church fountain
The church of Notre-Dame de la Nativité is dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and was built in 1829. It received its bell tower in 1867; Riche and Chapuis enlarged it according to plans by architect Aristide Poisat. The church’s history also includes a protected Stations of the Cross with 15 stations dating from 1865. The dates refer to different elements: the church building, the Stations of the Cross, and the later bell tower and enlargement. This makes it possible to distinguish the architectural and religious details chronologically rather than reducing them to a single year of construction.
At the foot of the church steps is the church fountain, known as the “pouche di motie.” Its local name and location add a specific village detail to the larger buildings. Another connection to the church’s history leads to Beaucourt: the mechanism of Villars-le-Sec’s church clock is on display at the Musée Japy.
Hiking on the Plateau de l’Ajoie
The “Sur le plateau de l’Ajoie” circular trail starts at the car park on Place de l’École in Villars-le-Sec. This easy hike is 10 kilometres long, includes 143 metres of elevation gain and takes approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes. The distance, ascent and approximate duration together provide a useful basis for planning your time. Along a cross-border section, the route follows the Mazarine boundary markers to Les Pas du Diable. A pictogram marks the trail and helps with navigation. Before setting out, check the current access conditions and trail signs on site.
Les Pas du Diable and the local legend
Marked with a yellow ring, the Les Pas du Diable trail leads to a large, flat stone near Villars-le-Sec. The stone is associated with a legend about an encounter between Bishop Dizier and Satan. Here, the focus is on a single landmark in the landscape and a local tale, while the church offers a different focus: its construction history and Stations of the Cross. These different points of interest give the village more than one perspective: Villars-le-Sec can be explored through its church and village history as well as the hiking trails described here.
Discover more destinations: Rougegoutte, Meroux, Grosmagny, Bavilliers, Bessoncourt, Lepuix, Belfort, Frais
Return to the main travel overview: Territoire De Belfort.
