Immortalised by Jacques Brel in his song ‘Vesoul’, the capital of Haute-Saône is home to many treasures. Listed as a ‘Heritage City’, the town boasts a magnificent medieval historic centre, built from limestone quarried nearby. Vesoul also boasts a diverse natural heritage of lakes, hills and plains. Add to this a microclimate offering a rate of sunshine unequalled in the region, and you'll understand that Vesoul has not usurped its nickname of the ‘Nice of the East’. Thanks to JOOKS, you can take advantage of Vesoul's gentle way of life and discover its many treasures via three audio-guided tours.
Although remains dating back to prehistoric times have been discovered in the town, Vesoul did not really develop until the High Middle Ages, around the Castrum Vesulium, a fortified castle perched on the Motte hill. Initially the seat of a viscounty and then the capital of the Amont bailiwick, Vesoul has evolved over the centuries. From fortified village to bustling commercial town, then central judicial centre and strategic garrison town, Vesoul eventually assumed important administrative and political roles.
As allegiances changed, Vesoul was in turn part of the Holy Roman Empire and the Spanish Empire, until it was annexed by France in 1678. In 1814, it briefly became the capital of the state of Franche-Comté before reverting to French rule. After the Second World War, the town underwent considerable growth and became a major industrial centre. Today, the town is a perfect blend of history, nature and culture, and is just waiting to be discovered.
A city of history
Thanks to its rich history, Vesoul now boasts a rich architectural and cultural heritage. While the medieval fortified castle has unfortunately disappeared, the town centre is full of town houses, religious buildings and other remarkable buildings such as the town hall, the covered market and the former Paul Morel hospital.
A town on a human scale, Vesoul is best explored on foot, through its narrow streets, squares and bridges. The Vieux-Vesoul district is home to a number of buildings protected as Historic Monuments, as well as the town's first houses, built at the foot of La Motte.
The city boasts a wide range of architectural styles - Renaissance, Gothic, Baroque - which blend harmoniously into its urban fabric. A stroll through the narrow streets will allow you to admire the work of the craftsmen who decorate the façades, a real treat for architecture lovers.
Our Urban Trail will take you on a tour of this well-preserved historic centre and its landmarks, from the Place de la République to the Place du Palais de Justice, right up to the hill of La Motte.
A city of nature
Vesoul's appeal goes beyond its historic charm. Set amid a varied natural landscape, the town seduces visitors with its lush plains, green hills and serene stretches of water.
La Motte, a limestone hill rising to an altitude of over 370 metres, offers a splendid panoramic view of the town and surrounding area. Once crowned by a fortified castle, it is now flanked by a chapel housing a 3.50 metre high statue of the Virgin Mary. Today, La Motte is a place for meditation and walks, as well as one of the town's most emblematic landmarks.
Known for its remarkable limestone formations, the Sabot de Frotey Nature Reserve also offers some very fine views over the region. Created in 1981, it covers almost a hundred hectares and is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. There are over 400 different species of plant and 500 species of butterfly. Our Sabot Trail will take you from Vesoul town centre to the Reserve, where you can learn more about this exceptional site and the legend of the Sabot.
Vesoul is criss-crossed by four rivers, including the Durgeon, which you can discover on our Sports Trail. This walk of just over 7 kilometres, with a few sporting exercises, will take you from the Jardin Anglais to the small village of Coulevon, along the banks of the river. In particular, you'll be walking along the green corridor, laid out in the 1980s, which starts to the north of the Jardin Anglais and continues towards the Rêpes district.
The Vesoul-Vaivre lake is just a few kilometres from the town centre. With a surface area of almost 90 hectares, it is a delight for walkers and lovers of land and water sports: cycling, archery, windsurfing, canoeing, rowing and pedal boating.
Gastronomy and art of living
Vesoul is part of a region rich in culinary traditions. As a town in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, it shares many features with the gastronomy of the Franche-Comté region, known for its generous dishes and local produce. Charcuterie plays an important role, with specialities such as Morteau sausage and pork ham. Local restaurants often offer traditional dishes such as fondue comtoise, served with a range of cheeses from the region, including comté, époisses and cancoillotte.
To accompany these dishes, Vesoul enjoys close proximity to the Jura vineyards, famous for their vin jaune and vin de paille. The region also offers desserts to delight sweet tooths, such as Vesoul cream waffles and light, golden galettes franc-comtoises. What's more, every market and shop in the town offers an opportunity to discover local products, where crafts mingle with gastronomy, for a tasty souvenir of the region.
Run, walk or cycle with JOOKS, from Saint-Georges church to the Sabot nature reserve!
Find all the routes in the town of Vesoul and over 1,300 others on the JOOKS application.
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