The Allaine winds through Boncourt’s floodplain, dividing the village in two. Visitors can choose from a range of activities: historic trails and buildings, nature watching, a cycling stage, and swimming and wellness facilities.
History along the trails and in the village
Boncourt has three themed educational trails: “Patrimoine historique” (Historic Heritage), “Patrimoine industriel” (Industrial Heritage) and “Chemin de la liberté” (Path of Freedom). Each is two kilometres long, and together they feature 38 information panels. The trails trace 200 years of Boncourt’s history and also shed light on the rescue of several thousand children during the Second World War. Alongside industrial and local history, the events of this period are also a focus.
In the village centre are Chavon-Dessus and Chavon-Dessous. These two districts contain most of Boncourt’s architectural heritage, including the former administrative building of the FJ Burrus industrial company and the Salle du Pont, a former police post on the bridge over the Allaine. The municipality is also home to around twenty crosses made of stone, iron or wood, dating from different periods.
Another historic building is La Cour, the former residence of the de Staal family. It was built in 1670 and renovated in 1703. The Tour de Milandre and the adjoining castle also date back a long way: they were built in the second half of the 13th century. Perched on a rocky spur of the Jura range, the tower offers views towards the entrance to the Allaine Valley and the Trouée de Belfort. Today, the keep is a tourist attraction; the tower was restored in 1988.
Circular trail, viewpoint and nature
The Sentier des Faînes is a clearly defined option for a walk: this five-kilometre circular trail takes one hour and is considered easy and family-friendly. Along the way, visitors can observe a rich variety of flora and fauna. One section features 50 wooden sculptures made with a chainsaw. They depict forest animals and well-known comic-book characters.
The top of the Tour de Milandre, with its viewpoint, is freely accessible via municipal roads leading to the former Ferme de Milandre and the washhouse. The former village washhouse of Milandre has been completely renovated. The Grottes de Milandre are different: they are currently closed to the public.
The Bison Park’s woodland and pastureland cover 35 hectares and are home to around 60 bison. Visitors can follow a circular trail without making a reservation and watch the bison along the way. The trails also offer views of the Vosges range. Guided tours and bison meat tastings in a tipi are available by reservation.
Cycling and relaxation
The Lötschberg–Jura stage from Boncourt to Belfort is 25 kilometres long, with 150 metres of elevation gain, and is classified as easy in terms of physical difficulty. It runs mostly along cycle paths, beside waterways, and through villages and forests. Seasonal conditions may affect access, so check them before setting out. Unlike the one-hour Sentier des Faînes, this cycling stage has its own distance and elevation profile and requires a different scale of day planning.
In the village, Piscine & Wellness Les Hémionées offers leisure facilities for families and a relaxation area. The large pool and the small learner pool are heated to 28.5 °C, while the whirlpool is heated to 34 °C. The wellness area includes a steam room, a sauna and a relaxation room; massages can be booked.
The Tour panoramique du Mont Renaud stands in the pastureland of Mont Renaud. A forest hut, picnic areas and a play area are located right next to it. Boncourt therefore offers a range of activities, from walking and cycling to exploring local history, watching wildlife and relaxing at the swimming pool.
For the broader travel overview: Jura.
