La trace du Courlis / Le Chemin vert connects two major French cycling itineraries through the countryside around Vesoul. France Vélo Tourisme presents the journey from Chemilly to Roulans as a link between La Voie Bleue and EuroVelo 6. Its character changes along the way: a greenway leads towards and beyond Vesoul, while the approach to the Doubs brings steeper roads and demanding descents.
From the Saône towards Vesoul
At Chemilly, the link branches away from La Voie Bleue near the meeting of the Saône and Durgeon. The Trace du Courlis heads towards Vesoul along the Durgeon, with the lake at Vaivre offering a waterside landmark on the approach to the city.
Vesoul makes a useful place to pause during the journey. France Vélo Tourisme points visitors towards Saint-Georges church, the courthouse and the art and archaeology museum, as well as the city’s shops. The route gives riders a chance to combine these urban stops with the quieter countryside on either side.
The Chemin vert and its railway past
Beyond Vesoul, the Chemin vert threads between hills through a wooded rural landscape towards Loulans-Verchamp. The Vesoul local authority describes it as a former railway route that once connected Vesoul and Besançon. Haute-Saône Tourisme notes that the greenway replaced the railway in 1980.
This part of the journey has short interruptions. France Vélo Tourisme advises care at the D13 crossing before Vesoul and describes a short road section near Montbozon, where the high-speed railway affects the route. The greenway ends at Loulans-Verchamp, so riders continuing towards the Doubs should be ready for a different kind of cycling.
Across the hills to the Doubs
The continuation from Loulans-Verchamp to Roulans travels through a more demanding landscape of woods, hills and the Ognon valley. France Vélo Tourisme highlights views towards Château de la Roche near Rigney, a possible riverside pause at Blarians and the final approach to the Doubs over Mont Devin.
The detailed guide describes steep climbs and bends on this section. It also warns of degraded surfacing around Bois des Barrots and a stop sign at the bottom of the steep descent at Grande Corcelle. After Vennans there is a long climb on the D352 before the descent towards Roulans.
Putting the connection together
From La Voie Bleue, follow signs for the Trace du Courlis and then the Chemin vert after Vesoul. At the end of the greenway in Loulans-Verchamp, follow the connection towards EuroVelo 6. At Roulans, the larger route offers a choice of continuing east or west along the Doubs.
The contrast between the greenway and the hilly eastern connection is central to planning this ride. France Vélo Tourisme lists stations at Vesoul and Laissey along the wider itinerary; check current services and bicycle arrangements separately when organising a trip.