Territoire de Belfort - Brochure by Frans Bureau voor Toerisme

TOURIST INFORMATION BROCHURE Territoire Y

BELFORT a SMILING COUNTRY !

www.ot-belfort.fr

MAISON DU TOURISME 2 bis, rue Clemenceau - F 90000 BELFORT

Tél. 0033 (0)3 84 55 90 90 • Fax : 0033 (0)3 84 55 90 70 tourisme90@ot-belfort.fr • www.ot-belfort.fr

Imprimerie SCHRAAG - Valdoie/Belfort - Novembre/04 - sous réserve d’erreurs typographiques • Crédits photos : Maison du tourisme C S P ★ de Belfort et Territoire de Belfort/Gérard Daumas - CSP - C.R.T. Franche Comté/Denis Bringard. Document réalisé par l’Office de Tourisme de Belfort et Territoire de Belfort, organisme financé par la Ville de Belfort et le Département du Territoire de Belfort

CONTENTS Territoire de Belfort, history and geography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P

Belfort, the city of the Lion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P

• Heritage • Museums

Belfort, a town in the countryside . . . . . . . . . . . . P

Belfort, a business destination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P

Tourist map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P

Green tourism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P

Heritage and museums . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P in the Territoire de Belfort

Local specialities and gastronomy . . . . . . . . . . . . P

Good tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P

Rendezvous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P

• active leisure pursuits • trips and exploration

Territoire de BELFORT a SMILING COUNTRY ! Belfort et Territoire de Belfort

he curious department of the Territoire de Belfort. Many people wonder what this unusual name covers. So imagine• • • • • • A region that benefits from an exceptional situation at the heart of Europe right on the doorstep of Switzerland, the vineyards of Southern Alsace and Germany.

Belfort et Territoire de Belfort

• • • A heart named Belfort, a lively renovated town where the way of life is a well protected treasure. Sheltered by the great Vauban ramparts, it is guarded by the citadel and the famous Bartholdi Lion. Embellished with flowers, parks and gardens, Belfort is a “town in the countryside”, realising the poet Alphonse Allais’s dream in the finest way.

• • • A tumultuous history that after the war gave birth to this “territory” with the signature of the treaty of Frankfurt in 1870. In 1918 Alsace and Lorraine became French once more, but the Territoire de Belfort did not join Haut-Rhin, officially becoming the 90th French department in 1922.

• • • A land of contrasts, between the Vosges and the Jura. The Territoire de Belfort is thus the only French department in which two mountain ranges meet. Along the highways and byways of the department, walkers are attracted by the genuine charm of the villages and hamlets. Bearing the stamp of history, these places invite you to discover a heritage and an atmosphere that give the area its unique identity. Savouring recipes of yesteryear, offering a warm welcome and sharing a taste for celebrations represent the foundations of the way of life here. • • • In the southern Vosges, the Ballon d’Alsace, a superb classified national site at the heart of the Ballons des Vosges regional national park, offers everything for a successful stay, whether in summer or winter. Here mountain streams and waterfalls delight fishing and walking enthusiasts... the most adventurous throw themselves into ex-

treme sports: paragliding, survival courses... The Ballon d’Alsace is a real paradise for those who love unspoilt nature. From the summit of the Ballon d’Alsace, going through Giromagny, a region rich in mine shafts and galleries and alongside Malsaucy lake, in a thousand and one ways the southern Vosges show nature at its purest and most noble. From the villages in bloom route to walking and open air activities, everyone will be satisfied. • • • Backing on to the foothills of the Jura, the southern part of the Territoire de Belfort, rich in lakes and rivers, offers the most beautiful panoramic viewpoints in the region. From the Plateau de Croix, the panorama extends from the mountains of Ajoie in Switzerland to those of the Jura through the Black Forest, the plains of Alsace and, of course, the Vosges. Protected natural environments in exquisite settings scattered with stretches of water are the principal attractions.

From canals to lakes, hundreds of watering places, such as the “Petite Sologne”, add charm to the serene beauty of the landscapes. Fishermen find happiness along the rivers and lakes and everyone benefits from the region’s warm welcome. Delle, the city of caryatids, and Beaucourt, the cradle of the Japy story, open up an exceptional industrial and cultural heritage that contrasts with the small picturesque towns to be found in the region. • • • A land of welcome where every year the local people are eager to make their towns bloom. Proud holder of the department in bloom trophy in 1998 and in 2003, the Territoire de Belfort is full of colour and life. You now know a little more about our Territoire de Belfort. It is up to you to go on to find out about the people of Belfort who have unbounded admiration and love for the corner of France in which they live.

Belfort et Territoire de Belfort

From the Sun King to DenfertRochereau, the city has been at the heart of the history of France. “Never surrender!”, the Count of Suze’s last wish forever sealed the town’s fate. From this glorious past it has preserved an unparalleled heritage, enduring proof of its strategic importance over the centuries. Under the protective paw of the Lion, a Bartholdi masterpiece, it is still possible to understand the city through its ramparts, which were designed by the genius Vauban. Visits to sites and monuments offer a fascinating and lively approach to the history of the town. Entirely restored, the old town alternates streets, small lanes and squares, all with their special characters. Happily stroll, search out rare objects and wander around, tasting for a moment the

Belfort et Territoire de Belfort

Belfort way of life. As in Alphonse Allais’ dream, Belfort, full of flowers, is the “town in the countryside”, offering a view of wooded hillsides from every lane. The town is scattered with parks for strolling on foot or for cycling. Quiet shaded places, parks and gardens of exceptional richness and the Etang des Forges, a green setting in the heart of the city, are all special. Meeting pure nature in the centre of the town is inevitably bewitching. If one feature immediately captures visitors’ attention it is the harmony seen in the hues of the façades of the houses and buildings. Belfort is prepared to risk the pink of Sologne and the yellow of Périgord as well as the red of the Basque region, the blue of Morbihan and the green of Chartreuse.

In the evening, the illuminated citadel, which in 1993 received first prize in the national contest for illuminated monuments, sparkles centre stage, bringing this historical Mecca back to life. Art is everywhere on the streets of Belfort: statues, fountains, frescoes and mosaics are constantly catching your eye. Visiting Belfort is also an opportunity to discover its many commercial facets that combine dynamism with tradition. The old town, with its restaurants and boutiques and the oldest grocers shop in France, contrasts harmoniously with the large stores, shopping arcades and pedestrian streets of the shopping centre on the right bank of the Savoureuse river.

VAUBAN - Brisachâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gate

Belfort’s heritage Belfort is situated at the narrowest part of the gateway of Bourgogne and Alsace. The town has always been a mandatory thoroughfare between the world of the Rhein and that of Rome. A strategic point since the 12th century, the citadel of Belfort was built by the Count of Suze, starting in 1648. To close the passage because of the numerous foreign invasions, Louis XIV entrusted Vauban with the project of fortifying Belfort. In 1687 he proposed a pentagonal city wall, protected by outworks and reinforced on the angles by bastions: the only example in France of Vauban’s second system of fortification. Subsequently in 1817, General Haxo transformed the citadel into a modern fortress. The Porte de Brisach, built in 1687 has an engraved plaque in the stone indicating it is the only gateway in the fortifications that has been preserved. On its pediment, surmounting the emblem of the Sun King, is Louis XIV’s motto “Nec Pluribus Impar” (none can be compared to him).

Belfort et Territoire de Belfort

The Monument to the Three Sieges The end of the 17th and the beginning of the 18th centuries found Belfort an impregnable citadel. Three sieges were necessary to confirm its impregnability: - From December 1813 to April 1814: for 113 days Commandant Legrand was confronted by a coalition army made up of Austrians, Bavarians, Cossacks and Hungarians. - From June 1815 to July 1815: General Lecourbe, at the head of 8,000 men, resisted an army of 40,000 Austrians for 15 days. - From November 1870 to February 1871: Colonel Denfert-Rochereau and his men suffered a siege of 103 days held by the Prussian army. - This last siege, the most terrible and glorious, made Belfort a symbol of enemy resistance, a symbol glorified by Bartholdi in the edification of the Lion that clings to the rock of the citadel.

An immense Lion “harried, driven back and terrible in his fury”, is how in 1872 Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi described the work that was destined to commemorate the heroic resistance of the town during the siege of 1870-1871. The monument, made of separate blocks of dressed pink sandstone assembled against the limestone cliff of the citadel, is 22m long and 11m high. The work, which began in 1875, was only finished in 1880. In 1878, the Belfort municipal council decided to erect a monument in remembrance of Thiers and Denfert-Rochereau and Belfort’s deliverance to France. On the Place d’Armes, the statue “Quand Même”, the work of Antonin Mercié, represents an Alsatian woman during the 1870-71 siege supporting a soldier who is dying at her feet.

The Hôtel de Ville (town hall) was built in 1724 as a private residence by the engineer Mareschal for François Noblat, under-secretary to the Intendant of Alsace. It was bought by the burghers of Belfort in 1784. Jean-Baptiste Kléber, who later became a brilliant republican general, converted it into a public building. The renovations based on Pierre Valentin Boudhor’s plans were completed in 1789. The external façade and the Kléber room today still retain their original appearance. The reception hall was realised in 1810. The cathedral of Saint Christophe The plans for the church were drawn up by Jacques Mareschal. The first stone was laid on 16 October 1727 and the church was opened for services in 1750. Dedicated to Saint Denis, the edifice became the Temple of Reason under the Revolution. A parish church dedicated to Saint Christopher, it became a cathedral in 1979 following the creation of the bishopric of BelfortMontbéliard. The handsome edifice, in classic style, houses among other things an organ dating back to Valtrin -famous pipe organ builder-

in 1749. Remodelled by Calinet in 19th century, it was restored by Schwenkedel in 1966.

the “Cité des Associations” which offers an incomparable view over all Belfort’s fortifications.

Something you may not know. Go to the side door on the left. On the head of the pillar to the left of the door, you will see a small finely sculptured angel. It is said to be the work of a craftsman who was miraculously saved when falling from his scaffolding. He is thought to have sculpted this little angel as thanksgiving.

The wall painted by Ernest Pignon Ernest In Belfort, art is in the street, accessible to everyone. 47 figures representing Latin and Germanic cultures have been brought together for a banquet with a European flavour. Covering an area of 403 m2, you can admire Marlene Dietrich, Friedrich Nietzsche, Ludwig Van Beethoven, Victor Hugo, Molière and Pablo Ruiz Picasso. ( Rue de l’As de Carreau).

Tour de la Miotte The origins and role of the “Pierre de la Miotte”, a symbolic Belfort monument, are still uncertain. Rebuilt several times it is an integral part of the fort which was built in 1830. At the foot of the tower, the view extends over the Etang des Forges, the town and beyond to the foothills of the Vosges. Take the track that goes down from the Tour de la Miotte towards the lake. From there you can reach

The Maison du Peuple was originally conceived in order to “improve the intellectual level of the workers’ class, to bring together middle and working classes as well as to be a cultural pole”. It was inaugurated in 1933. The building is designed using reinforced concrete to release large spaces. The simplicity of the lines did not exclude the refined art deco style decoration.

Belfort et Territoire de Belfort

Belfort museums

Le Musée d’Art et d’Histoire

Donation Maurice Jardot Museum of Modern Art Established in the heart of the city in an old mansion built at the end of the last century, the “Cabinet d’un Amateur” houses a prestigious collection of over one hundred works by the great modern painters including Picasso, Léger and Braque. All these works are part of the exceptional donation made by Maurice Jardot, a native of the area, to the town of Belfort. On 13 September 1997, he bequeathed his personal collection to the town of Belfort in order to open the “Cabinet d’un Amateur”, a tribute to one man, Daniel-Henry Kahnweiler, the greatest of art dealers in 20th century, with whom Maurice Jardot was associated for nearly 20 years.

Belfort et Territoire de Belfort

Museum of Art and History The Château de Belfort, indissociable from the fortified pentagon, houses the museum of art and history. The history museum, established in 1872 by the “Societé Belfortaine d’Emulation”, is organised around an archaeological collection and souvenirs of the military figures who on many occasions defended Belfort. Apart from the many pictures and sculptures by recognised artists, every year the museum of art hosts temporary exhibitions to display the collections that are not usually seen and raise public awareness to contemporary and fine arts.

La Tour 46 Every year Tour 46, a Vauban pentagon bastion, hosts a prestigious exhibition: • Pablo Picasso in 2001, • Fernand Léger in 2002, • Hans Hartung in 2003 and in 2004 • Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi in 2004 • Le Corbusier in 2005.

DONATION M. JARDOT BELFORT, FERNAND LEGER COMPOSITION EN BLEU ET JAUNE ( ADAGP, PARIS 2004 )

Belfort, “the town in the countryside” has parks and gardens in which the visitor can stop to admire the compositions of flowers and the remarkable mosaic designs. Square Lechten Initially called the Square Jean Jaurès, it was renamed “Square Lechten” in 1961 as a tribute to the town’s first head gardener Emile Lechten. Apart from the magnificent floral compositions, created using a mosaic design technique, there is a beautiful wrought iron gate as well as a number of sculptures. La Roseraie At the end of the last century, this deserted piece of land belonged to the SACM (Société Alsacienne de Construction Mécanique, today known as Alstom). A market was set up there in 1891. The rose garden was created a few years later. A magnificent pavilion in which to take a quiet rest is waiting for you. Square du Souvenir At the beginning of the century, this area was the home of the Champ de Foire which hosted major cattle sales. The installation of a monument to those who died in the Great War gave rise to a square dedicated to remembrance.

Belfort et Territoire de Belfort

Le Parc François Mitterrand A lovely children’s playground in the avenue du Général Gambiez. A large green open space where you can quite simply spend a pleasant few moments watching your children having fun or play table tennis, football or even have a picnic.

…From the heart of the town, going alongside the Savoureuse, the Promenade François Mitterrand (approximately 5 km), on foot, bike or roller skates, allows you to reach Malsaucy, the watersports and leisure centre and the departmental environment centre.

… A few minutes from the town centre, …Hauts du Salbert at 651 metres. There around the Etang des Forges, the Roselière footpath offers a relaxing nature walk. 4 km long, it takes you to different environments in which, with the special facilities, you can observe the fauna and flora.

…

A 37 hectare lake, the Etang des Forges and its watersports centre offers canoeing, windsurfing, sailing, archery, mountain biking, climbing and roller skating.

…For the Hauts de Belfort, allow around 21/2 hours walking and enjoy some magnificent panoramas of Belfort and the blue line of the Vosges. Tour de la Miotte, Fort de la Justice, former military pigeon loft, a tour of the citadel via the defensive ditches, the Lion ... you also go through the Porte de Brisach, entrance to the old town fortified by Vauban.

you will be able to appreciate the panorama with the help of the three tables giving information on the landscapes around Belfort, Ronchamp and the Ballons des Vosges. A “vita” fitness trail and a picnic area are also available. Magnificent viewing points and an extensive network of paths, including the GR 5, await you. Jardin des Cinq Sens in the Pépinière district, offers a circuit presenting plants that call on all five senses. Equipped with signs in Braille, it has been adapted for people with visual impairments. It is also accessible for people with limited mobility.

Belfort et Territoire de Belfort

Belfort, destinati Your convention or your seminar in the city of the Lion Between the Vosges and Jura, close to Switzerland and Alsace, 40 minutes from the Bâle-Mulhouse-Fribourg airport, at the centre of a major motorway network connecting northern Europe to Spain, the Territoire de Belfort is where European paths... and your business events... cross. • The ATRIA convention centre with auditorium, exhibition area, hotel, restaurant, piano bar, business centre • 11 seminar rooms available in the department’s hotels • a 3,500 m2 exhibition centre • an 850 seat amphitheatre • a convention office • reception and event agencies

Quality range of hotels Over 1,800 rooms within a radius of 20 km, with a central reservation service.

The Tourist office’s convention service is your contact for…

related to your event. • sale of souvenir gifts.

… some references: • National Post convention • Convention of the national syndicate of secretaries general and directors general of territorial organizations • Francophone seminar “optical methods and techniques for industry” • national FNATH convention (national federation for people with industrial injuries and disabilities) • AJT convention (Association of tourism journalists) • Mobilis (seminar on the development of the car) • World Chess Championships

… offering you free of charge: • application dossier completion • project and budget arrangement • interface with local authorities • advice, aid and assistance in general organization • organization of visits • interface with local service providers • provision of tourist information

… sells services such as: • administration for enrolments and hotel reservations • organization of transport for convention participants while in the area • realisation of tourist and relaxation programmes, gala evenings and any services

Belfort et Territoire de Belfort

INFORMATION BUREAU DES CONGRÈS MAISON DU TOURISME 2 bis rue Clemenceau 90000 BELFORT

Tél. 03 84 55 90 90 Fax 03 84 55 90 70 congres@ot-belfort.fr www.ot-belfort.fr

To make conventions and seminars even more agreeable, we are able to offer you: • Our theme dinners: a Vauban evening at the château de Belfort (original 17th century recipes), wine and cheese evening, buffet of local specialities from Belfort and Franche-Comté...

• Our range of incentive products • Conquering the forts • The Lions Rally • Karting race • Commando Operation • For seasons in the Ballon d’Alsace • Top form in the southern Vosges • Want to fly? Escape in a glider or plane • Get your clubs, let’s go and play golf! • Fly in a balloon • Go with the wind

• Tourism: the citadel , Vauban fortifications, the Bartholdi Lion, the Ballon d’Alsace, FrancheComté of the southern Vosges to the Jura... But also Alsace, Switzerland, Germany and the Black Forest...

on affaires

The Novotel Atria Belfort Centre: an innovating concept for all your events

A3 6

ain s MOTO

mou nt

Where to find us?

Vosge s

Congresses, annual general meetings, conferences, product launches, videoconferences, conventions, training seminars, study days, reward meetings, staff evenings, Christmas parties, gala evenings…

AY RW

Colmar

GERMANY

At the gateway to Alsace, the Vosges and the Jura… Mulhouse

A seminar area, with on the same site: a 400 seat amphitheatre, 10 meeting rooms, an 800 m2 exhibition area, a banqueting area for 500 guests, Novotel hotel, restaurant, business centre, hairdresser and parking with videosurveillance.

European leader and world hotels and services group

Basel

A Y A36 ORW MO T

Besançon

Novotel Atria Belfort Centre Tél. + 33 (0) 3 84 58 85 00 • Fax + 33 (0) 3 84 58 85 01 • e mail : H1742-DM@accor-hotels.com

✈

Belfort

Strasbourg

a nt ou

ins

Belfort et Territoire de Belfort

SWITZERLAND

Belfort et Territoire de Belfort

Territoire de Belfort Tourist map

Â&#x160;

Belfort et Territoire de Belfort

4 the peaks route 5 The wine-growing route - Haut Koenigsbourg 6 The fried carp route 7 Swiss Jura 8 The great natural sites of Haut-Doubs 9 Chapelle Le Corbusier - Route of 1000 pools

Tourist routes from the Belfort area

1 Southern Vosges 2 Belfort plain 3 Southern area and Jura foothills

SEE THE SIGHTS AND ENJOY THE FLOWERS IN THE BELFORT AREA

SWITZERLAND

Active leisure pursuits Whatever your age, whatever your level of fitness, whether you want to spend an hour, a day or several days, the Territoire de Belfort lends itself marvellously to rambling, horse trekking and cycling. From the mountains of the Vosges to the foothills of the Jura, 670 kilometres of footpaths and 160 kilometres of sign-posted bridle paths criss-cross varied countryside with areas of mountain and flat plains. You will be seduced by the green and gentle landscapes that combine pure natural environments with the reassuring and friendly presence of signposts, shelters and picnic areas. Off the paths covering this fabulous area of absolute freedom, you will be able to taste the simple joys of life, share relaxing moments and recharge your batteries. The Ballon d’Alsace, summit of the southern Vosges (1247m) is exceptional. Its situation at the junction of three regions (Franche-Comté, Alsace and Lorraine), its history and the beauty of its landscapes combine to make it a Mecca for walkers.

Belfort et Territoire de Belfort

Two European routes cross there: - GR5 - E2 beginning in Holland and ending in Nice - E5 beginning in Venice cutting across France from east to west to end at the Pointe du Raz in Brittany. The GR7 for Andorra and the 59 for Chambéry begin here on the summit. These long distance hiking trails, complemented by a numerous shorter trails, are suitable for day-long family walks. The Randonnée des Forts provides an opportunity to discover the fortified ring of the Territoire de Belfort with its original constructions from the Middle Ages to the end of the 19th century. This original, cultural walk, suitable for anyone, alternates mountain, plains and lakes. It goes from one construction to another, often on an ancient pathway that was used to take fresh supplies to the different sites. Well marked itineraries encourage cycle touring along country roads and the many cycle paths. And for mountain bike en-

thusiasts, different levels of difficulty on marked circuits will satisfy every desire. The variety of landscapes, the sometimes arduous slopes of the Vosges and the undulations of the foothills of the Jura mean that the Territoire de Belfort is a special place for all cycling fans. The fittest can test themselves on the Tour de France routes by taking the famous Ballon d’Alsace pass. Apart from the forts trail and other walks, here are two mountain bike routes. The “Southern Vosges” starting from AuxellesHaut, a pleasant circuit that takes you to many viewing points and the “Jura Plateau” starting from Beaucourt with two circuits of 15 and 30 kms. You will love the magnificent panorama over the Swiss Monts d’Ajoie and the mountains of the Jura.

…/…

Belfort et Territoire de Belfort

…/… Fishing: with a wealth of fast flowing streams and rivers full of trout, the southern Vosges has many routes with differing degrees of accessibility for sport or mountain lake fishing. Just near Belfort, the many streams and small rivers lend themselves to quiet fishing. You could also try lake fishing. The many expanses of water are part of the charm of the southern part of the Territoire de Belfort.

shows with comedians, musicians, acrobats and puppeteers.

The watersports centre in Malsaucy, provides an opportunity to make new discoveries, to be introduced to new sports or to perfect those you already enjoy. Sailing, canoeing, wind surfing, kayak, rowing, boating, water jogging and archery are all available for children, adolescents and adults alike.

Departmental environment centre Situated on the banks of the Malsaucy at the foot of the Ballons des Vosges regional national park and not far from Belfort, the departmental environment centre is an opportunity to spend some enjoyable time finding out about the local fauna and flora. It has exhibitions and entertainment open to all free of charge, drawing the attention of young and old alike to the environment.

The leisure centre in Malsaucy, apart from the pleasures of swimming, offers many facilities and activities: crazy golf, paddle boats and surfbikes for visiting the furthest corners of the lake, mini cruises on board replicas of their big brothers (ferry boat, trawler, Mississippi steamboat...), mountain bikes and Rosalie quadricycles for a family trip along the trails around Malsaucy. Open air cinema at 10 pm, free concerts, entertainment and

Belfort et Territoire de Belfort

At the Ballon d’Alsace, the Acropark tree top trail welcomes you with its 7 different levels of difficulty from the beginner to the experienced. The “ouistiti” (marmoset) trail has been made entirely safe for children. You will also be able to make the most of special areas for climbing and getting to grips with a kite before taking your first flight in a two-place paraglider.

The Ballon d’Alsace is ideal for family skiing. Cross country and downhill skiing complement each other perfectly to offer all the joys of easy, quiet and safe skiing...unless you opt for an unforgettable snowshoe ramble. Flying over the region’s lakes and woods, discover towns and villages from the sky: only a first flight offers such an opportunity. It could even be the prelude to discovery, exploration or introductory courses (flying, gliding, microlighting...). At the foot of the Ballon d’Alsace, in an exceptional setting, the Rougemont-leChâteau golf course offers an undulating, testing and natural course interspersed with lakes (18 holes - 6002 metres). It gives all golfers a wide range of options for practice and competition. Over the years the Territoire de Belfort has become a Mecca for ballooning. A balloon flight over the fortifications, the Vauban ramparts, the citadel, the Bartholdi Lion, the lakes, the southern Vosges and the foothills of the Jura is an unforgettable moment for passengers who, carried gently along by the wind, have plenty of time to take photos.

Le Ballon dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Alsace

Offre TOURISTIQUE - Belfort et Territoire de Belfort

Trips and exploration… An exploration pathway, accessible to everyone, offers a tour of the summit of the Ballon d’Alsace. Its route shows off to advantage the landscape of this important classified national site. To tell you all you need to know, there are information tables that will help you learn about the area: its climate, geology, hydrology, vegetation and biotope, history, mountain economy and tourism... The miners paths at Giromagny. Around the ancient mines of Rosemont, the mining heritage holds an important place in the history and culture of the southern Vosges. Thus in the 16th century, a justice system specific to the mines was established in Giromagny in what is still today called the “Maison de la Justice” or the “Maison Mazarin”. The fountains circuit: the 20 Giromagny springs are not all the identical. Some are enormous, others are purely utilitarian, comfortably sheltered by a roof. This circuit gives you the chance to discover how the town’s districts came in to being.

Belfort et Territoire de Belfort

Whatever the season a tour of Malsaucy lake is delightful. At the start, there is a magical view of the Ballon d’Alsace. It encourages walkers to thread their way through the hills, to climb the first foothills and reach the summits. The ascent up to the first few houses in Lachapelle-sousChaux overlooks a mosaic of lakes. The walk continues through the delicately perfumed woods. “Saint Dizier l’Evêque” or the legend of the “Pas du Diable”: in around 670, on his return from Rome, the Breton bishop Saint Dizier decided to convert the people of the region. The Devil, highly irritated to see the Saint vying for souls with him, flew to meet him in an attempt to stop him. But when the Devil jumped on the Saint, the large rock he jumped on softened on contact with his burning hooves. The Devil’s feet were embedded in the rock where he remained prisoner while the Saint peacefully continued on his away. Eight prints are visible on the stone: the four slight marks are attributed to Saint Dizier, the four other much deeper ones could only be those of the Devil himself...

Pedestrian route, 20 kilometres long, connects Essert to Montbéliard by foot, bike or on horseback. Along the banks of the Haute-Saône canal, you will be able to explore canal reaches, locks and bridges.

With its 160 kilometres of bridle paths the Territoire de Belfort knows how to take care of horse riders. To help the horse and rider as much as possible the tracks are marked. Whether along the banks of the canals, around lakes or up and down wooded hillsides, riders will be filled with wonder by the countryside and the startling contrasts.

Flower displays are an important element in enhancing our natural heritage. Flowers are one of very first gestures denoting welcome. The communities of the Territoire de Belfort understand this. Their efforts were rewarded in 1998, and confirmed in 2003, by the winning the French national department in bloom contest. Roseraie du Châtelet at Anjoutey The Roseraie du Châtelet is a private landscaped botanical garden of 21/2 hectares with 600 varieties of roses, mostly old ones, an arboretum and a number of bamboo species. The gardens are situated in the Ballons des Vosges regional national park and is on the villages in bloom route. Gantner museum park at Lachapellesous-Chaux The artist, Bernard Gantner, opens the undulating 20 hectare park that he has been enthusiastically carving out for 40 years: bridges, Japanese water features, an exceptional moss forest, an arboretum with over 800 species, lakes, waterfalls, hillside forest paths, an animal park, Japanese sika deer, fallow deer, reindeer, alpacas... A walk through a dream world. The painter has built his museum there, a light filled building beautifully displaying his best works and his personal collection of works of art.

Parc de la Douce Situated between Bavilliers, Belfort and Essert, the park offers a multitude of activities: lakeside walk, waterfalls, water plants, solarium, panoramic viewpoint, skateboard track, basketball court, children’s play area, special nature observation areas... Parc Francis Bédat in Bavilliers has a herd of fallow deer living in semi-liberty. There is also a children’s play area and a fitness trail. Parc des Cèdres at Beaucourt Historically at the heart of several Japy châteaux and edifices that make up part of the local heritage, the Parc des Cèdres has been developed for walks and games. It owes its name to the remarkable collection of cedars that were said to have been planted by

the famous palaeontologist from Montbéliard, Georges Cuvier, a friend of the Japy family. Off the lime tree lined bridle path some very old majestic pines, sequoias and magnificent beech trees, including a wonderful copper beech, can be found. Among the remarkable trees in the Territoire de Belfort, we should mention the lime tree known as the “Tilleul de Fontaine” the trunk of which has a circumference of over seven metres. Maréchal de Turenne camped under this lime tree one night in December 1674 before continuing deeper into Alsace to inflict a heavy defeat on the imperial forces.

Belfort et Territoire de Belfort

A few suggestions for your visits… A border town, Delle was already in existence in the Gallo-Roman period in the form of a villa on the right bank of the Allaine, then as early as the 6th century a town grew up on the other bank. In 736, the Count of Alsace donated it to the Benedictine abbey of Murbach after which the town was entrusted to the son of the Austrian Emperor Frederick II. In 1636, Delle became French, then in 1659 was given to Cardinal Mazarin. Finally in 1871, with around one hundred other localities, it separated from Alsace to form the Territoire de Belfort. It has retained precious evidence of its past in the Maison Feltin, today the town hall, the Maison des Cariatides with justice in the centre with a rich couple and a poor couple on either side, la Maison des Remparts the oldest part of which was built in 1576, fountains, turret house... Saint Léger church housing the Schwenkedel organ with its 21 organ stops and a tremblant, two keyboards and a pedal board. The church of Saint Dizier l’Evêque is the oldest Roman style church in the department. As the 7th century came to an end, Dizier, an itinerant bishop passing through, discovered the only permanent religious monument in the region, an oratory dedicated to Saint Martin. The present church was consecrated in 1041. The crypt houses the sarcophagus of Saint Dizier (7th century) and the sacristy houses the cenotaph known as the “Pierre des Fous” which played its role in the treatment of the sick. In Froidefontaine, in 1105, Ermentrude, the Countess of Montbéliard, decided to found a priory, in which she then established the monks of Cluny. The church of Saints-Pierre-et-Paul,

Belfort et Territoire de Belfort

an integral part of the priory, dates back to this time. The apse and the central nave are Roman. Inside, nine windows fitted in 1946, the bell certified in 1682 and a gravestone in the nave dating from 1527. But what does legend tell us? It reports that Maimboeuf, a Scot, was travelling around Gaul to pass on the Christian message. As he passed through the region, he met some heretics and preached the Gospel to them. These, noting his clothes were in better condition than theirs, thought that perhaps he was carrying money. They wasted no time in murdering, stripping and burying him near a spring where the priory of Froidefontaine was later built. Here are two ideas for tours: the springs and washing places in the south of the territory will take you from Belfort to Delle via Bourogne, Fêche-L’Eglise, Montbouton and Val de Saint-Dizier. The churches and remarkable trees tour glides from Montbouton to Belfort via Saint-Dizier l’Evêque, Delle, Froidefontaine, Phaffans, Fontaine and Rougegoutte. Do not forget the beam well in Croix and the half timbered houses of Suarce, Réchésy and Courcelles. The church of Notre-Dame-del’Assomption in Phaffans was built between 1700 and 1726 on the foundations of a 13th century chapel. Today it is one of the most beautiful baroque style buildings in the region. On the Ballon d’Alsace summit, there is a mounted statue of Jeanne d’Arc. Inaugurated in 1909, it symbolises France’s attachment to Alsace. Still on the summit, the Monument des Démineurs, erected in

1952, remembers the 600 victims of the de-mining operation. In Lepuix-Gy, the haut-fer sawmill (with its vertical sawing blade) built in 1879, has never stopped working. The cutting mechanism uses water brought by a aerial wooden canal to turn a water wheel. In Giromagny, do not miss the “Maison de la Justice” also known as the “Maison Mazarin”. The 16th century building housed the Rosemont mines courts. Outside Giromagny, Fort Dorsner is the southern extremity of the Haute-Moselle defensive network, linking the rear camps in Belfort and Epinal. It carries the name of a general of the Empire who was charged with controlling the important Giromagny crossroads on the road from the Ballon d’Alsace to Belfort. The Gantner Centre in Bourogne is dedicated to multimedia and digital culture and to raising awareness of contemporary art. It holds exhibitions, video screenings, concerts and sound broadcasts, interactive encounters and performances. The multimedia library is based on electronic, digital or experimental cultures. Its vocation of hosting events makes it a haven for artists, researchers, musicians... it implements training programmes that are open to the general public through information and communication technology workshops. In Vézelois, once in the church make a visit to the Virgin with the tricolour ribbon. The ribbon is that of a conscript who fought in wars of the Revolution. His grandmother gave it to the Virgin Mary so she would protect him. In 1793, when the revolutionary forces were pillaging religious edifices, one of them, amazed, spared the Virgin Mary crying, “Citizen, you have the good fortune to be a true patriot!”

Lachapelle-sous-Chaux, Musée Gantner (Gantner Museum) In the middle of a park, built on a promontory, the museum presents the works of Bernard Gantner, an internationally renowned artist. Paintings, water colours and drawings as well as his personal archaeological collection (Indian, Khmer, Chinese, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, PaleoAmerican, Oceanic...) and incunabula add to the pleasure that awaits curious minds.

Botans, Musée agricole départemental (Departmental museum of agriculture) In a farm built in 1830, the museum shows the various stages in the development of agricultural mechanisms over the last 200 years as well as the object and tools of yesteryear used in this northeastern part of

Franche-Comté. In addition to the 100 machines and 1700 objects relating to the world of agriculture, there is a vegetable garden and large shaded orchard awaiting visitors. Brebotte, Musée de l’artisanat et des traditions (Museum of crafts and traditions) The museum is housed in an old farm, the main building of which has been restored. This building itself shows the way in which half timbered houses were built, peculiar to Sundgau in the south eastern part of the Territoire de Belfort. The collections focus on three areas: rural manual trades, living conditions and day to day life and finally, agricultural machinery Courtelevant, Moulin hydraulique (Water mill) Situated in the south of the department, the Courtelevant water mill is on the Vendeline, the source of which is in Vendlincourt in Switzerland. You will be able to find out about the development of industrial techniques between the 17th and 19th centuries through the different milling systems (old and English millstones, roller mills), transmission techniques (gears, bucket chains) and the water wheel.

the history of industry in Beaucourt from the end of the 17th century to the present day. It is one of the linked technical and cultural museums in Franche-Comté. The collections on display witness the genius of Frédéric Japy, the pioneer of the mass production watch-making industry.

Etueffont, La forge musée (the Forge museum) Installed in an 18th century building, the museum presents the development of society, family and the economy from the 19th century to the present day, through four generations of village blacksmiths: the Petitjean family. The forge museum presents authentic blacksmith’s tools and his accommodation, in which his workshop and his home are one and the same. Giromagny, Musée de la mine et des techniques minières (Mine and mining techniques museum) Situated at the foot of the Ballon d’Alsace, a massif rich in minerals, Giromagny was at the heart of a large concentration of metal mines. The museum traces the different stages in the exploitation of the mines, presenting the most important industry in the Territoire de Belfort.

Beaucourt, Musée Frédéric Japy (Frédéric Japy museum) The museum retraces

See also Belfort museums on page 10 Belfort et Territoire de Belfort

Local gastronomic specialities are here a pleasure for your eyes before you ever come to taste them. Gourmets’ taste buds will be delighted by those recipes created by our local chefs and artisans, for they are a subtle mixture between culinary tradition and innovation. Le Brimbul is an aperitif offered by small local restaurant owners. The combination of a typical local fruit (bilberries) from our mountains and a touch of gin lifts the flavour of a Crémant du Jura with flair. L’Épaule du Ballon The bilberries that accompany this boned loin of lamb give the dish a subtle blend of local flavours with the fragrance of the very soil of the Ballon d’Alsace. Le Belflore, Created by the union of bakers and confectioners of the Territoire de Belfort, this bed of raspberries under a meringue almond covering sprinkled with hazelnuts is only equalled by the

Belfort et Territoire de Belfort

lightness of its finery. Les Facettes du Territoire This line of sweets, launched by the Territoire de Belfort confectioners, chocolate, ice-cream and pastry makers, is made up of Viennese pastry, a dessert that may or may not be iced and delicious chocolates stamped with the character of the sites and cultural events of our department. The “Facettes du Territoire” are included in the “Tour de France des spécialités”. Sweet or savoury... the artisans continue tradition and quality with cold meat specialities, such as the “saucisson du Lion” or “saucisson des Môtieux”, chocolate creations such as “les pepites de la Savoureuse”, “les cailloux des remparts”... Allow yourself to be tempted by these tasty innovations. Ask for the complete brochure at the Tourist Office.

GASTRONOMY IN FRANCHE-COMTE: Throughout the year, the food on the tables of Franche Comté offers a delightful illustration of the seasons as they pass by. Beginning with the fish that are in abundance in this area of fast waters and the mushrooms perfuming the forest floors. Resinous woods are still used for smoking salt meats, just as they were in olden times. As for the famous Montbéliard cows, they supply excellent milk - at its best when made into cheeses like Comté, Morbier, Mont d’Or or Cancoillotte.

But what would the fish and delicious cheeses be without the wines of FrancheComté: the prestigious “Vin Jaune”, Macvin or “Vin de Paille”. We should not forget absinthe either, the Egeria of poets. The pleasure is now complete …

PUB SCHRAAG

Belfort et Territoire de Belfort

In the summer the Tourist Office offers you: • Guided theme visits: Depending on the day of the week, different themes are offered such as art in the old town, the Hauts de Belfort or go on the trail of the lions.... • Heritage for kids: workshops for children aged 6 to 12. It is both fun and educational with a specially adapted visit to the old town, a tea where local products are served and a creative workshop on the theme of Belfort heritage. Every child also receives a gift. • Tuesday testing: guided visits followed by a tasting of local products. And throughout the year, a complete programme of day excursions allow you to learn more about the Territoire de Belfort and its hidden treasures.

3 explorer passports mean you are able to benefit from a selection of touristic, cultural and gastronomic offers. Three menus to be consumed at will - visit with complete freedom and spend less! (on sale at the Tourist Office): • the “Pass Avantages” is valid throughout the year both in Belfort and throughout the Territoire de Belfort. • the “Belfort City Pass” is valid during the months of July and August just in Belfort. • The “Pass Découvertes” is valid during the months of July and August throughout the Territoire de Belfort.

Belfort et Territoire de Belfort

Weekends in the city Like a number of towns in France, Belfort invites you to spend the weekend.

Arriving on Friday or Saturday, the all inclusive price includes 2 nights in a hotel (for the price of one). The list of participating hotels is available from the Tourist Office. On presentation of this list, stamped by the hotel of your choice, the Tourist Office will give you a welcome gift and offer you a selection of cultural or leisure activities at special prices.

Relax in the countryside in a “Gîte de France” Comfortable and relaxing weekends: spend a weekend without restrictions, as a couple, with the whole family or with friends from Friday evening to Sunday evening (outside the summer season). Enjoy getting away from it all, invigorating activities or just being in the natural surroundings. Savour the pleasures the Territoire de Belfort way of life has to offer. When you arrive, your gîte will already be heated, and bedding and a gourmet basket will be waiting for you. Fishing gîtes are especially equipped and ready to welcome you. You will find a place

to leave your fishing gear, a tank for your bait and all the information you may need about the fishing. The owner will make it easy for you and inform you about fishing in the Territoire de Belfort. Snow gîtes provide accommodation which include everyday winter sports activities in the price. The accommodation will be close to a resort with skiing slopes and cross country skiing. The Ballon d’Alsace is unbeatable for family skiing. You will find easy, quiet and safe skiing as well as snowshoe walks. Christmas gîtes Experience an authentic Christmas, wander around one of the many renowned Christmas markets in the region. The friendliness of the personal welcome in local homes is an unique experience. An unforgettable weekend with family or friends in the warmth of a gîte specially decorated for the occasion, or a weekend in bed and breakfast accommodation with a Christmas spice breakfast included are the promises offered by an end of the year break in the Territoire de Belfort.

TOURISM AND HANDICAP Fully organised breaks and discoveries To make your stay in Territoire de Belfort as enjoyable as possible, the Tourist Office offers you ready organised breaks and à la carte programmes. You have the time to appreciate it, we look after the rest. Lots of formulas for a break on your own or with the family, during which you can explore the department. Among them: • On the heritage trail, the forts trail • The “Bon week end en ville” formula in Belfort • A day exploring the Territoire de Belfort in a hot air balloon • City break in Belfort • Walks... the Ballon d’Alsace - breathe deeply...

Breaks and weekends for groups... discovering all the facets of the Territoire de Belfort. You want to reserve a tour, organise an à la carte break, work out a budget, ask for advice... The Tourist Office group service will be able to help you: advice and assistance, suggestions for guided visit programmes, ready organised breaks, ideas for tours... Tours and day excursions: • Senses and essences • The geniuses of modern art • On the trail of the Japy empire • Artistic breakaway • Territoire de Belfort, seen from above... Guided visits: • Belfort, the town of the three sieges • Belfort old town and the citadel • On the trail of the lions • Parks and gardens...

Maison du Tourisme 2 bis rue Clemenceau - 90000 BELFORT Tél 03 84 55 90 90 - Fax 03 84 55 90 70 groupes@ot-belfort.fr ask for our catalogue, consult the internet site www.ot-belfort.fr

WHERE CAN YOU FIND A GUEST ROOM OR A HOLIDAY ACCOMODATION IN THE TERRITOIRE DE BELFORT ? Gîtes de France: Tel 03 84 55 90 95 gitesdefrance@ot-belfort.fr Clévacances: Tel 03 84 55 90 90 clevacances@ot-belfort.fr www.ot-belfort.fr

With the help of

The Tourist Office in Belfort offers guided tours adapted to handicapped people in order to enable them to discover our cultural heritage and natural treasures: • Guided tour throughout the old town conceived to assure convenient access for groups of people with wheel chairs. The history of the town and the Département is evoked throuh the siege of 1870-1871. • Visits in sign language • Visit of the rose garden in Bourg sous Châtelet (roseraie du Châtelet) with delicate scents and colours. The garden is also accessible for people in wheelchairs. • Two fishing ponds (Etang des Forges in Belfort and Etang de la Véronne at the Malsaucy leisure site for water sports) allow also anglers with wheelchairs to fulfill their passion in complete safety. • “Jardin des 5 Sens” in Belfort: offers a circuit presenting plants that call on all five senses. Equipped with signs in Braille, it has been adapted for people with visual impairments. It is accessible for people with limited mobility. • Donation Jardot: in order to discover the collection and the great names in modern art, audio guides (French - English German) have been made available. In addition copies of Laurentz’s sculptures can be explored through touch. Whether you are a fan of karting, archery or new technologies, several kinds of adapted leisures are now available for handicapped people in the Territoire de Belfort.

MAISON DU TOURISME PARTNERS WELCOME TO THE TERRITOIRE DE BELFORT! Maison du Tourisme partners are professionals and volunteers eager to promote their region! A logo enables you to recognise network members. Do not hesitate to pay them a visit, they will be delighted to welcome and guide you during your stay. www.ot-belfort.fr

Belfort et Territoire de Belfort

Rendez-vous • FIMU

Festival International de Musique Universitaire Belfort, old town Pentecost week-end 3 days of music and 3,000 musicians in the old town of Belfort: every year the enthusiasm of youth and all the music on planet earth thrill the city of the Lion. Access to many concerts is free of charge to allow families, whether music lovers or simply curious, to discover and appreciate the friendliness of the à la carte programme of music.

• EUROCKÉENNES de BELFORT Festival Rock - Malsaucy lake 1st week-end in July 5 stages, dozens of artists and 3 days of music in your ears: pop rock, metal, hip hop, reggae, electronic... Every year there are top of the bill artists as well as young newcomers. With an attendance of over 90,000 and days that are sold out, the Belfort Eurockéennes enjoys an international reputation.

• The biggest flea market in the East of France Belfort, old town March to December, 1st Sunday in the month

A year in the Territoire de Belfort sees a succession of popular rendezvous: from flower to flea markets, from theatre to street arts, from traditional festivals to gourmet encounters: every season resonates to the sounds of songs, laughter and dancing.

Tourist Office summer specials July-August Guided visits, excursions, local entertainment and children’s workshops.

• Belflorissimo Mid May Belfort flower market and gourmet encounter with the daughters of Vauban

• Transhumance au Ballon d’Alsace Mid May and mid October Ascent and descent of the livestock

• Spectacle historique juillet Sound and light historical show with the participation of the inhabitants of a re-created traditional village (Brebotte)

• Les Mercredis du Château July-August Free concerts at the Belfort citadel

• Les Rigolomanies July-August Free comic shows at Maison du Peuple in Belfort

• Mercredis moi tout !!! every Wednesday in August Ça me dit bien !!! every Saturday in July

For nearly 40 years now no less than 200 professionals have been joining forces with the many antique dealers in old Belfort. A veritable paradise for antique hunters.

Free shows and animations for children in Belfort

• ENTREVUES

• La Passerelle des Arts 15 August

Festival International du Film de Belfort Multiplexe des Quais End of November Make a bet, take a risk: observe, find, discover as yet unknown or nearly unknown films and film makers. The festival has risen to the challenges of being at the cutting edge, a leader, with the films themselves the only points of reference.

• Fête de l’Âne 15 August

Various events based around donkeys - for the young and old alike in Suarce Open air gallery for amateur artists and painters

• Belfort Air Rétro 2

weekend in September

Ballooning championships and exhibition of vintage cars

• Festival du Conte October

When the magic of storytelling invades the Territoire de Belfort

• Festival du Livre Mid October to mid November Grand book fair in Belfort

… and many others too !

Belfort et Territoire de Belfort

BARTHOLDI - The Lion of Belfort