Fontenois-la-Ville is a commune in the Haute-Saône department, in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, 25 km northwest of Luxeuil-les-Bains.
Its territory of 12 km² borders the Vosges department to the north and northeast.
The locality belongs to the tourist region and the community of communes of the Green Triangle, dotted with rural landscapes, forests and green plains. We thus identify on Fontenois-la-Ville a majority of meadows dedicated in particular to livestock (44% of its surface area) but also forests (41%) and agricultural land (11%).
Comprising a small town and several hamlets, crossed by the course of the Superbe and the Breuil stream, the town is also renowned for its numerous ponds on its "northern" part.
Annex of a Templar commandery in the Middle Ages, activity in the Fontenois stronghold remained agricultural and artisanal (sawmills) under the Old Regime. From the second half of the 19th century, the town was affected by the rural exodus. Having at one time counted more than 800 inhabitants, its population therefore decreased irremediably. There are only 130 residents left... Its small heritage and bucolic environment, however, make Fontenois-la-Ville a destination of choice for lovers of green tourism.
In terms of heritage, the Saint-Barthélemy church dates mainly from the 17th and 18th centuries. It succeeded a first medieval building established when the lands of Fontenois constituted one of the 27 annexes of the powerful Templar commandery of Villedieu-en-Fontenette (25 km to the south), falling under the order of Saint-Jean de Jerusalem. Inside, the church, whose bell tower was completed in 1723, retains a beautiful communion rail (18th century) as well as numerous paintings.
Still on the religious level, a large calvary from the 17th century should be mentioned, near the church, and a second, from the same period, can be observed on the road to Mailleroncourt, southwest of the village.
In the small village, we also notice some houses and agricultural buildings from the 17th century, and generally a typical habitat of this Comtoise region.
Regarding leisure, if the outdoor swimming pool which the town had is now closed to the public for economic reasons, the locality does however have a particularly original tourist center. It offers the rental of trailers in the form of small “caravans” (with bedding, kitchenette and dining table) or carriages (with simply benches) pulled by horses of the Comtoise breed. This mode of roaming and "camping" allows you to enjoy the bucolic landscapes of the Green Triangle in a soothing way with the ability to stop off at the edge of meadows, pastures, forests, streams, small lakes. Center open from March to the end of the All Saints holidays. It is possible to book for trips lasting one to seven days. Information on +33 7 86 83 11 62 or +33 6 70 98 99 98.
It is also possible, of course, to discover the green countryside via hiking trails and loops for walkers or mountain bikers (the reliefs are made up of gentle slopes). Maps and information from the intercommunal tourist office on +33 3 84 40 06 41.
When returning from a walk, don't hesitate to stop off at Mathieu Morel's farm, specializing in organic fruits and vegetables. Contact on +33 6 89 24 15 78.
Finally, note that fishermen can have fun (rivers, ponds). However, it is advisable to find out about the regulations on +33 3 84 76 51 41.
