History of trails

Smuggling history

Smuggling means Smuggling means prohibited or taxed products and territorial borders.

In 1678, Franche-Comté, then under Spanish rule, became part of the kingdom of France. The border was moved, and what had previously been authorised became smuggled to avoid taxes. Smugglers and gabelous criss-crossed the territory. This dangerous activity took place on both sides of the Franco-Swiss border, at the cost of many dangers: steep landscapes, a rushing river, a harsh climate and the risk of being caught in ambush and sent to the galleys.or taxed products and territorial borders. In 1678, Franche-Comté, then under Spanish rule, became part of the kingdom of France. The border was moved, and what had previously been authorised became smuggled to avoid taxes. Smugglers and gabelous criss-crossed the territory. This dangerous activity took place on both sides of the Franco-Swiss border, at the cost of many dangers: steep landscapes, a rushing river, a harsh climate and the risk of being caught in ambush and sent to the galleys.

Trails specificities

Smuggling was therefore a clandestine activity that took place on foot in places that were often inaccessible to avoid nasty encounters.

Three of the smuggling routes are on foot, with a 3 or 4 day itinerary between Switzerland and France, and a mountain bike loop that can be completed in 7 days (5 on a mountain bike). On some routes, by preparing and organising your logistics, you can shorten or combine the stages, or decide to do just one part.

Each trail has its own story, with “totems” in the field and a game to help you learn more about the theme. Downloadable guides provide practical information and help you solve the riddles.

Project genesis

The Franco-Swiss Contraband Trails were initiated in 2010 by the Comité Stratégique Transfrontalier, which brings together elected representatives from the Pays Horloger and the Parc du Doubs, as part of the cross-border park project. All the institutional and tourism partners on either side of the border got involved. The aim was to create a flagship product for original itineraries linking the French and Swiss trail networks, while at the same time promoting the region’s heritage and encouraging local economic development.

Combining eco-tourism and local history through themed hikes based on smuggling, this cross-border tourism offer provides visitors with a fun, participative way of discovering the area and the history of smuggling, living an experience and sharing it.