The Loue Valley - Source of Lison

Immortalised through its landscapes, its colours and its light in the works of Courbet, who came from this area, the source of the Loue has become an emblem of Franche-Comté.

The Loue rises near Ouhans in the Department of Doubs and springs forth from the earth over a waterfall set in an imposing 100-metre high rocky cirque. The Loue is recognised as being one of the best rivers in Europe for fly-fishing. The Loue valley is a major tourism asset for the region, especially the stretch between the source of the Loue and Ornans where, over a 20-kilometre stretch it loses 229 metres in altitude. This very popular route offers many viewpoints over the deep valley and is a must for excursions and is particularly popular with bikers.

Among the villages which succeed one another are:

 >> Mouthier Haute Pierre with its rock climbing areas and its breathtaking views over the valley,

>> Lods, one of the most beautiful villages in France,

>> Ornans where the shores of the Loue form a small Franche-Comté Venice,

>> Scey en Varais, situated in a bend in the river, famous for its "mirror", namely the reflection in the peaceful waters of the river,

>> Cléron, the final stage in the Route Courbet, famous for its cheese hamlet,

>> Then comes the confluence with the Lison, the Great Bend in the Loue and Quingey la Belle.

Source of the Lison

As with the Loue, the Lison is, at least partially, a resurgence of the Doubs. It comes into being at the bottom of a cave at the end of a long subterranean passage.

Nearby, the monumental Sarrazine cave, the Creux-Billard, a huge rocky cirque, and the Pont du Diable, hanging vertiginously over the Canyon de la Reculée, are worthy of a short excursion.

Slightly after its source, the Lison passes through the village of Nans-sous-Sainte-Anne. You may visit the famous edge-tool factory, where scythes and agricultural tools are made, one of the most beautiful examples of Comté industrial architecture from the last century.