It is in the heart of the Doubs, in Burgundy-Franche-Comté, that nestles the commune of Lods, ranked among the most beautiful villages of France. This small village is located in the valley of the Loue, about forty kilometers from the city of Besançon. On the mountainside, it also benefits from the Petite cité comtoise label of character.
The village of Lods, as it is known today, was born at the beginning of the twelfth century. A significant number of vestiges and other architectural monuments testify to its rich and exciting history over the centuries. Cradled to the rhythm of vineyards and forges, it has retained its authentic aspect for the delight of visitors visiting this part of the Doubs.
Between the waterfalls, the vineyard houses or the museums, you will spend a pleasant moment in this small village of character.
A fortified castle dating from the 14th century, the castle of Lods is now listed as a Historic Monument. Former property of the lords of Thoraise, it served to control the route of the salt of the region. Modernized in the 16th century, the house has a two-storey building with three vaulted rooms, old latrines, a chapel or a French ceiling in one of the rooms. Outside, one can still admire a wall with the corbelling of a turret.
The vine and wine museum traces the history of vineyards in the valley through collections of tools and other utensils of all kinds. Set in an old winegrower's house of the eighteenth century, it allows to admire a cellar, a bakehouse, or an immense killed of tuff. In the kitchen, one can discover antique furniture, and the town has arranged an ethnological route in the village to appreciate different sites retracing the history of the vineyards and the forge.
As you walk through Lods, you can also discover the Notre-Dame-des-Forges oratory built in the 18th century by the director of the Forges of Lods, or the Saint-Théodule church of the beginning of the same century.
Do not forget to admire the arch of the old bridge, dating from the 16th century, or the vestiges of the local economy like the workshop of nineteenth-century workshops and which welcomes today Hotel of travelers.
Full of charm, the village is full of vineyard residences, and it is still possible to see some remains of the Forges of Lods, such as the old ironworks and the hardware factory of the second half of the eighteenth century.
During your walks, you will be able to see the post-house of the eighteenth century, as well as the town hall-school built in the middle of the nineteenth century according to the plans of the architect, Deveille.
If it amuses you, direction the cists, a unique set of tracks. No less than five boxes are hidden in the village, and the goal is to find them through riddles of different levels. The winner, who finds his lot in one of the boxes, must then find a new location with new mysteries.
Drawing and watercolor courses are also organized regularly in the village.
