The village – or both villages – of Goumois lie on the east and west of the River Doubs, which at the same time forms the border to France. Although the borders have been set down since the Congress of Vienna, the two villages have shared an infrastructure since time immemorial. For example: the school is on Swiss soil, but the church is in France. The inhabitants have had permission to attend church services on the French side since 1830.

For almost five hundred years, Goumois was under Franquemont rule until this was dissolved in 1780. For a short time in 1792, Goumois became part of the Rauracia Republic, a sister republic of the French Revolution that comprised part of the Prince-Bishopric of Basel, which belonged to the Holy Roman Empire.

Some remains of the Franquemont Castle ruins can still be seen. The castle was completely destroyed by Basel troops during the conflict over the sovereignty of the Barony of Franquemont between the Counts of Montbéliard and the Prince-Bishop of Basel.

The village has a rich array of water-based tourism activities such as fishing, canoeing and walking trails along the banks of the Doubs, for example to Affenfelsen (Rocher du Singe) two kilometres upstream along the river.