Walk with the Loue

Walking along the Loue

Marche avec la Loue is a unique event that invites you to discover the Loue valley differently, by combining hiking, culture, and ecology. The Loue, a tributary of the Doubs, is a river of exceptional beauty whose gorges, waterfalls, and meanders have inspired the painter Gustave Courbet, a native of the region, and continue to fascinate nature lovers.

On the Courbet trails

The proposed hiking routes follow the famous Sentiers Courbet, seven marked trails that cross the Loue valley, following in the painter's footsteps. The Sentier de la Vie, 4.5 km long, crosses Ornans in 14 stages, from the Courbet museum to the cemetery where the artist rests, passing by his former studio and his grandparents' house. Other circuits allow you to discover the gorges of the Loue, the limestone cliffs, and the remarkable flora of the valley.

Ecological awareness

Beyond hiking, Marche avec la Loue carries a strong ecological message. The Loue faces major environmental challenges: pollution, climate change, fish kills. In 2023, the municipality of Ornans declared "Year of the Loue", symbolically launched on March 22, World Water Day.

During the event, naturalists and environmental specialists accompany walkers, offering observations of fauna and flora, conferences on water quality, and awareness workshops on the preservation of this fragile ecosystem. Local residents and associations share their intimate knowledge of the river and its natural heritage.

Exceptional natural heritage

The Loue valley is rich in dense flora, rare fauna, spectacular gorges, limestone rocks, and intrepid waterways. The natural habitats and remarkable animal species make this territory a privileged place for environmental awareness and education, continuing the work of Courbet who was the first to capture the wild beauty of these landscapes.