Places to visit in Franche-Comte

Any suggestion for small towns to visit in Franche-Comte. We will be based in Montbeliard and want to do day and/or overnight trips. Thanks.

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The valley of the Loue river is beautiful. Ornans is a very attractive town on the river - Courbet, the painter, lived there and Ornans has a museum of his work. Very good restaurant and hotel (Logis de France) there as well.

Drive up the valley to the source - spectacular.

Or visit Baume-les-Messieurs, a little village surrounded by Jurassic cliffs. In 906, six monks set off to found Cluny from here.

The vineyards around there produce the famous vin jaune among other Jura wines.

The ideal city of Arc-en-Senans, built just before the revolution to house a salt extraction factory and houses for the workers - an architectural wonder.

Lots to see in this beautiful area! Have fun.

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Thank-you Dickie-Bird for your response - I had been reading about Ornans and will definitely go there, as well as Baume-les Messieurs and the other one you mentioned, which I had not read about yet - I will print your response and take it with me. I agree it is a beautiful area of France and quite different to other areas in terms of landscape, vegetation etc. Only a little over 2 weeks to go and can%26#39;t wait. Merci bien

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The Loue valley is lovely, but the source of the river has a hydro-electric plant and is rather industrial in character. We much prefer the source of the Lison, near Salins, which is an entirely rural location. At this time of year, with plenty of water still coming out of the hills, try to get down to the Cascades du Herrison.

From Montbeliard the Doubs valley into Switzerland is a pleasant trip. St Ursanne is a very attractive riverside town. You also have easy access to the picture postcard wine towns of Alsace to the north. Riquewhir (if I have the spelling correct) is like a film set - but attracts the crowds I%26#39;m afraid.

Besancon is also worth a visit, and the citadel overlooking the town offers wonderful views.

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