Identification Card

  • Area: 11 villages, 6,215 residents (2020 figures)
  • Area: 128 km²
  • Capital: Montbenoît
  • Honorary Citizens Day: First Sunday in October
  • President: Simon Marguet (since March 2022)
  • Official languages: French and Sauget dialect
Map of Saugeais

Historical treasures waiting to be discovered

Beautiful Heritage Getaways

Montbenoît Abbey, the beating heart of the Saugeais region

It’s impossible not to notice the towering silhouette of its church, right in the center of the village: Montbenoît Abbey has always been the heart of the Saugeais region. Construction is believed to have begun in the 12th century, as evidenced by the simple Romanesque architecture of the church’s nave, but you can also admire the richly ornamented choir, characteristic of the Italian Renaissance period. Remarkable carved wooden stalls, where the monks once sat, as well as the imposing fireplace and the majestic vaults of the old kitchen, are also worth seeing. Montbenoît Abbey has retained its charm through the ages thanks to ambitious conservation programs: if you’re so inclined, come discover it on a tour and trace over a thousand years of history within its walls.

Montbenoit Abbey, Saugeais (large) Monbenoit-Saugeais Abbey

➔ The Abbey’s Hidden Treasures

The abbey’s ancient stones are far from having revealed all their secrets, but if you’re curious, some of its mysteries are within your reach…

Discover the chapter house adjoining the cloister, where part of the stone rood screen dating from 1526 has been reconstructed.

On tiptoe, make your way to the back of the church, where Henri and Berthe de Joux are buried, and where you can admire the magnificent reliquary of the Three Kings in the Chapel of the Magi.

Be careful— the terrifying dungeon is still there, hidden behind the monks’ kitchen…

LEARN MORE

In Montbenoît: a detour to the Museum of the Republic of Saugeais

Who doesn’t already know the history of the Saugeais and its republic like the back of their hand? Come take a stroll through Montbenoît Abbey to explore the Museum of the Republic of the Saugeais: through educational displays and a few showcases featuring iconic artifacts, a unique history unfolds.

Museum of the Republic of Saugeais

 

History and Hiking on the Vy aux Moines

For many years, the monks of Montbenoît have used this 33-kilometer-long trade route, which winds through mountains, ridges, and marshy valleys, from Môtiers, Switzerland, to Montbenoît. Well-maintained and clearly marked, this “Vy aux Moines” trail can be explored in several sections, either on foot or by mountain bike.

The snow-covered Combe de l'Hôpital View of Montbenoît Abbey in the Saugeais region, 2024 Vy, Les Moines-Saugeais, Val de Tavers

Nature and Hiking

A longing for nature

Let’s go explore the Entre-Roches Gorge

It’s cooler here than elsewhere: can you hear the river murmuring?
A deep gorge with steep walls, the Entre-Roches Gorge is a canyon about ten kilometers long through which the Doubs River flows .

From Ville-du-Pont, take the road that runs along the river, dotted with scenic overlooks, and let yourself be captivated by the majesty of this unspoiled landscape.

Picnic at the Rochers du Cerf Lookout

From the La Perdrix site (gîte, inn, and observatory), set out on the scenic 11-kilometer trail that leads to the ridgeline of the Rochers du Cerf.

The colorful blooms of the gentians, the nimble chamois, and the soaring flight of birds of prey accompany you all the way to the splendid viewpoint overlooking the Brévine Valley in neighboring Switzerland.

Meet at Crêt Monniot, the highest point in the Saugeais region

Who wants to take in the Loue Valley, the Jura plateaus, and the peaks of the Alps all at once ?

In winter, strap on your snowshoes or cross-country skis and take a trip up to the Crêt Monniot at an elevation of 1,141 meters.

Hiking boots, sunglasses, and sunscreen will be your best friends this summer, allowing you to feast your eyes on the beauty of the Haut-Doubs landscapes from the highest point in the Saugeais region.

Visit the Saugeais region, Montbenoît, and its abbey

  • From July to August – guided tours every 45 minutes from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  • From September through June – self-guided tours of the abbey during the Montbenoît Tourist Office’s opening hours

Admission fee applies; tickets are available at the Montbenoît Tourist Office. Guided tours are available year-round for groups; reservations must be made through the Tourist Office.

HAUT-DOUBS DESTINATION – MONTBENOÎT TOURISM OFFICE
4 rue du Val Saugeais 25650 Montbenoît
+33 (0)3 81 38 10 32
montbenoit@destination-hautdoubs.com

I’d love to go to the Saugeais region for my vacation!