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Arc-sous-Cicon

Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Doubs

Arc-sous-Cicon - Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Doubs
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Arc-sous-Cicon is a commune in the Doubs department, in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, 20 km northeast of Pontarlier.

Its territory of 28 km² has the shape of a basin dominated by two of the Monts du Jura ranges and its highest point, to the south-east, the Crêt Monniot, reaches an altitude of 1141 m.

The village, on the other hand, developed below, between 700 and 800 m altitude.

The environment of the locality has remained very green, mainly covered with meadows dedicated to cow grazing (48% of its area) and fir forests (41%).

In fact, several farms remain active on Arc-sous-Cicon, which produce Comté cheeses in particular. However, tourism has also developed thanks to the built and especially natural heritage, conducive to hiking in summer and cross-country skiing in winter. The small resort is therefore very popular with families who wish to combine sport and a change of scenery…

Arc-sous-Cicon which has just over 700 inhabitants awaits you, near Switzerland and other famous sites such as Morteau.

Geographical information

MunicipalityArc-sous-Cicon
Postcode25520
Latitude47.0514470 (N 47° 3’ 5”)
Longitude6.3799260 (E 6° 22’ 48”)
AltitudeFrom 776m to 1140m
Surface area28.49 km²
Population730 inhabitants
Density25 inhabitants/km²
PrefectureBesançon (43 km, 38 min)
Insee code25025
IntercommunalityCC de Montbenoît
DepartmentDoubs
TerritoriesFranche-Comté, Jura mountains
RegionBurgundy-Franche-Comté

Nearest cities & towns

Aubonne5.8 km (10 min)
Saint-Gorgon-Main6 km (9 min)
Longemaison7.5 km (10 min)
Ouhans10 km (13 min)
Les Premiers Sapins10 km (13 min)
Gilley10.7 km (15 min)
Bugny13.2 km (16 min)
Étray13.2 km (17 min)
Mouthier-Haute-Pierre13.3 km (17 min)
Renédale14.1 km (18 min)
Goux-les-Usiers14.3 km (20 min)
Vernierfontaine14.6 km (18 min)
Passonfontaine14.6 km (20 min)
Avoudrey15 km (19 min)

Things to see and do

In terms of heritage, the town hall-school of the village is undoubtedly the most notable site, because very impressive, of the locality. It was built from 1847 to 1864, in two phases, after the establishment of the law of 1833 requiring municipalities to own and maintain a public school.

Very imposing (with four levels including a third floor in the attic!) for a village that is altogether modest and of noble style (neo-classical with a triangular pediment dominating the central body dotted with Hellenistic columns), the building was designed by the architect Pessières and completed in a second phase by the architect Pompey Son. Indeed, in the meantime, the locality had experienced some difficulties in raising the financing for the project. The building originally included the offices of the town hall but also classrooms, apartments (including those for teachers) and a boarding school for children living outside the village. Built in noble materials (cut stones, limestone rubble), the town hall-school is now listed in the Inventory. A fire affected the building in 2010 (housing, classrooms), which was then the subject of rehabilitation work. Partly open to the public. Information on +33 3 81 69 90 54.

Also worth seeing is the Saint-Étienne church, built around 1748, which replaced a 12th century chapel. The bell tower is later, and was raised in 1822. Affected by lightning, this Comtois bell tower was replaced by a concrete spire in 1931 which was covered with copper in 1971. Formerly covered with lava which tiles were replaced in 1990, we note that the building is composed of a nave with side aisles leading to a polygonal apse vaulted with edges. In addition, the church retains elements of furniture and quality works, for some classified: high altar, preaching pulpit in carved wood from the 18th century, tabernacle, paneling of the choir in polychrome and gilded carved wood, altarpiece of the baptismal font...

A 17th century castle, built on two levels, remodeled, but on the facades of which elements of the classical style are still visible, having belonged to a noble family of the region to which the seigniory belonged, is also located within the perimeter of the town hall and the church. Listed in the Inventory, the property is still private and is only visible externally.

Finally, this overview of the heritage ends with the chapel of Vaux Navier, 2 km west of the village, rebuilt in the 19th century on the foundations of an old oratory linked to a legend: shepherds would have been punished there by the Virgin, whose statue adorned a nearby grotto and who returned to this place each time they wanted to place her in the village church. In addition, a few traditional farms and barns dot the small town and the surrounding countryside hamlets.

In terms of "nature" leisure, the Crêt Monniot site, to the south, the highest point in the town, has been developed. Orientation tables explain the panorama to visitors and hikers. On a clear day, you can see Mont-Blanc and a large part of the northern Alps with their eternal snow. In fact, this summit offers a 360° panorama and as such benefits from an exceptional view of the landscape. Not far from there, one kilometer to the south, there are two natural glaciers in the excavations, one of which is very accessible and contains snow and ice in all seasons. Finally, note that an interpretation trail allows you to discover the fauna and flora of this preserved place.

For other hiking trails to follow in the summer, maps and information on +33 3 81 46 48 33. If necessary, take advantage of a walk between forests and meadows to stop off at one of the fruit orchards of the town (where the cheeses are produced and stored)...

Crêt Monniot is also one of the starting points for the two small areas of Nordic skiing (cross-country skiing) in the locality run by a dynamic association. From the village hall, at the edge of the village, there is a green run (Sous Roches), 500 m long, a blue run (Les Tarots), 5 km long, a red run (Les Cordiers) 10 km and finally a 3.8 km black run which connects the village to Crêt Monniot. In addition, a snowshoe route is available (6 to 8 km). From Crêt Monniot, there is a 1.5 km green run (view of the Alps), a 7 km long blue run (La Glacière), an 11.5 km red run (Les Funges) and finally a black (Ronde du Crêt Monniot) of 15 km. In addition, a loop is reserved for snowshoe walkers (6 km). Price for access to the slopes: 4 to 6 euros per day. Rental of equipment possible. Information on +33 3 31 71 60 37.

Places of interest

Leisure centres

Events and festivities

The first weekend of July, Festi'Fonges, current music festival (rock, folk, world...).

Photos

Panorama on Arc-sous-Cicon, from the crêt Monniot (© J.E)
Panorama on Arc-sous-Cicon, from the crêt Monniot (© J.E)
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Former farm Comtoise, typical of the Haut-Doubs (© J.E)
Former farm Comtoise, typical of the Haut-Doubs (© J.E)
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Panorama from the bottom of the meadows (© J.E)
Panorama from the bottom of the meadows (© J.E)
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Former farm Comtoise, typical of the Haut-Doubs (© J.E)
Former farm Comtoise, typical of the Haut-Doubs (© J.E)
See photo
Direction the Monniot crest
Direction the Monniot crest
See photo
Church of Saint-Etienne (© Jean Espirat)
Church of Saint-Etienne (© Jean Espirat)
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Town hall of the village (© J.E)
Town hall of the village (© J.E)
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Other panorama on Arc-sous-Cicon, from the crêt Monniot (© J.E)
Other panorama on Arc-sous-Cicon, from the crêt Monniot (© J.E)
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Chair of the church (© J.E)
Chair of the church (© J.E)
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Nave of the church (© J.E)
Nave of the church (© J.E)
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Altarpiece of the church (© J.E)
Altarpiece of the church (© J.E)
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Virgin and Child, in the church (© J.E)
Virgin and Child, in the church (© J.E)
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Direction the Monniot crest
Direction the Monniot crest
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Chapel of Vaux-Navier (© J.E)
Chapel of Vaux-Navier (© J.E)
See photo
Inside the chapel of Vaux-Navier (© J.E)
Inside the chapel of Vaux-Navier (© J.E)
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Former farm Comtoise, typical of the Haut-Doubs (© J.E)
Former farm Comtoise, typical of the Haut-Doubs (© J.E)
See photo

Weather

Tuesday 19 march
Min. 2°C - Max. 14°C
Day
Night
Wednesday 20 march
Min. 4°C - Max. 17°C
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Night
Thursday 21 march
Min. 8°C - Max. 15°C
Day
Night

Visits, leisure and activities nearby

Leisure activities

Last nameActivity typeRateCity
Playheure escape game
Entertainment84 € to 110 € Besançon (34 km)

Outings

Last nameOuting typeDifficultyDurationDeparture municipality
Ban Forest
HikeIntermediate35 minHauterive-la-Fresse (11.1 km)
Drugeon and Dragon
HikeEasy1:05La Rivière-Drugeon (24 km)
Archaeological site of St Saturnin du Bois
HikeIntermediate5:35Besançon (34 km)
Reposoir Chapel
HikeEasy1:00Pays-de-Clerval (39 km)
Greenway
HikeEasy6:00Devecey (41 km)

Restaurants

Bed & breakfasts

Vacation rentals

Campsites

Hotels

Your holidays
A hotel
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A leisure activity
A restaurant
A rental car
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