Grotte de la Chère

Grotte de la Chère is a small rock cave perched above the Doubs river valley, on the hillside of the commune of Beure, right on the boundary with neighboring Fontain, in the Doubs department of the Franche-Comté region — just a short distance from Besançon. There is no ticket booth, lighting, or guided tour here: it is a natural opening in the cliff, visited mostly by hikers and people curious about local history.

Where exactly is the cave, and how do you get there?

The entrance sits in a steep rock face overlooking the Doubs, close to the ruins of the Arguel fortress and a paragliding club that operates in the area. On the IGN Top 25 topographic map (sheet 3323 Besançon), the spot is marked with a black dot labeled "Grotte de la Chère." Reaching it means following a footpath that climbs through wooded slopes above the village — the same trails that make up several popular walking loops linking Beure with the surrounding hills.

What does the inside look like?

The entrance opening is roughly 3.2 meters high, tall enough to walk in without any climbing gear — just careful scrambling over rock. The cave itself is not large, but just past the entrance there is a small rocky terrace with traces of an old fireplace and a natural rock archway leading through to the other side. That terrace is the real draw: it opens onto a wide view over the hills surrounding Besançon and the Doubs river winding through the valley below.

Why is it nicknamed the "old church"?

Locally, the cave is also known as "vieille église" — the old church. The name comes from the period when priests who refused to swear the oath required by the Civil Constitution of the Clergy had to carry out their ministry in hiding. The cave served as a discreet spot for secret Mass, away from the eyes of the revolutionary authorities. The nickname stuck as a reminder of that clandestine religious use.

Are there any archaeological traces inside?

Yes — researcher Eugène Fournier found fragments of prehistoric pottery inside the cave, showing that the shelter had already attracted people long before the events of the revolutionary period. It is not a major archaeological site by regional standards, but it is a small confirmation that this rock shelter, with its natural cover and vantage point over the valley, has drawn visitors for a very long time.

What should you watch out for when visiting?

Getting into the cave itself does not require climbing skills, but the surroundings are demanding: the cliff drops steeply toward the valley, and the approach paths can turn slippery after rain. Stay well back from the edge, and keep a close eye on children near the rock threshold — there are no railings or markers of the kind found on maintained, official tourist trails.

FAQ

Where is Grotte de la Chère located? On a hillside above the Doubs valley, in the commune of Beure (on the border with Fontain), in the Doubs department, near Besançon.

Is the cave hard to reach or enter? No climbing gear is needed — just careful scrambling over rock — but the surrounding terrain is steep and requires caution.

Why is it called the "old church"? During the period when non-juring priests had to hide from revolutionary authorities, secret Masses were held inside the cave, which is how the nickname arose.

Have any archaeological finds been made there? Yes, researcher Eugène Fournier discovered fragments of prehistoric pottery inside the cave.

What can you see from the terrace outside the entrance? A panoramic view over the hills around Besançon and the Doubs river valley, plus a natural rock archway right next to the terrace.