Lods

Lods is a commune in the French department Doubs in the Franche -Comté. It is classified as one of the plus beaux villages de France ( most beautiful villages in France ).

Geography

Lods is at 382 m above sea level, 10 km southeast of Ornans and about 27 km southeast of the city of Besançon (air line). The village is located in the Jura, in the narrow valley of the upper Loue, which is deeply incised into the surrounding plateau, at the northern foot of the Rochers du Capucin.

The area of ​​6.25 km ² municipal area includes a portion of the French Jura. The central part of the area is occupied by the valley of the Loue. The Loue here flows through a narrow erosion valley from the southeast to the northwest, which is around 400 meters deep into the surrounding plateau. From the east opens a deep cut Talfurche at Lods. The steep valley sides of the Loue are various places crowned at the upper edge of striking rock walls and projections of a resistant layer of lime. The parish boundary runs mostly on the edge of the plateau above this rock band. In the south, the municipality area extends to the Rochers du Capucin on which 770 m is the highest point of Lods is achieved. To the north, the area extends to the heights of Suchaux and signal de Cudrey ( 747 m) at the edge of the plateau of Valdahon.

Neighboring communities of Lods are Échevannes, Lavans- Vuillafans and Athose in the north, Mouthier -Haute -Pierre in the east, the south and Longeville Vuillafans in the West.

History

The territory of Lods was settled very early, what ( 5th to 7th century) could be detected by means of graves from the Burgundian. Is first mentioned Lods in 1189th In the Middle Ages, the lords of Thoraise founded a castle. Later Lods belonged to the rule Château Vieux. Together with the Franche -Comté reached the village with the Peace of Nijmegen in 1678 to France. Today Lods is a member of the comprehensive 24 villages municipal association Communauté de communes du Pays d' Ornans.

Attractions

The Church of Lods was built in the 18th century. For the rich interior includes a statue of the Virgin from the 14th century. A chapel was built in 1787. In the village many citizens 'and farmers' houses are preserved in the characteristic style of the Franche -Comté from the 16th to 18th Century, antique fountains and mills. The Château de Lods, originally from the 13th century, was rebuilt and is now privately owned. Also worth seeing is the Musée de la Vigne et du Vin.

Population

With 231 inhabitants (1 January 2011 ) Lods is one of the small communities of the department of Doubs. After the population in 1881 still amounted to 1155 persons, since a marked population decline was recorded, which lasts until very recently.

Economy and infrastructure

Lods has long been an embossed by agriculture and small businesses village. The water power of the Loue was used early for the operation of mills, saw mills and for iron manufacturing. The two main companies are based in Lods today Gaz et Eaux Société ( Manufacture of equipment for water management ) and SA Calvi ( wood processing). In addition, there are several craft shops and retail companies. Some employed persons are also commuters who engage in the larger towns in the vicinity of their work.

The village has good transport links. It lies on the secondary road D67, which runs from Ornans to Pontarlier. Further road links exist with Athose and Longeville.