The Regional Park of the Morvan offers the nature lover over 3,400 kms of marked trails for hiking, horse riding and mountain biking. The river rapids and wide lakes are popular for water sports and comfortable accommodation is close by.
The Morvan's rich cultural heritage includes such sites as the ancient Gallic town of Bibracte, the Roman monuments of Autun, the Romanesque art of Vézelay, the museums of Château-Chinon and the fine tables of Saulieu, as well as all the lesser known sites, charming to discover.
What is a regional nature Park?
Regional nature Parks are inhabited rural areas amongst the most beautiful of France. The quality of their natural, cultural heritage as well as their fragility justify a policy of protection and sustainable development guaranteed by the State. Such policy is materialised by a Charter revised every 10 years.
The Parks' actions and objectives are to:
- Protect and manage natural and cultural heritage.
- Participate in town and country planning and implement economic and social development.
- Welcome and inform public, raise environmental awareness.
The medieval Château de BAZOCHES is set half-way up a wooded hill on the site of a former Roman base in direct line of sight of VEZELAY (10km away). It was built in the twelfth century in the form of a trapezium with four towers and a keep surrounding an inner courtyard (with its grey-blue patina stones, this is an outstanding example of restoration of the interior as created in the 17th century).
When they left VEZELAY for the Holy Land on the third crusade, King Philippe-Auguste and Richard the Lionheart were the first important guests to stay in the castle.
BAZOCHES belonged to the seigniors of Bazoches, Chasellux, Montmorillon and La Perrière and was then bought in 1675 by Marshal de Vauban with the reward granted to him by King Louis XIV after the siege of Maastricht where he fought with outstanding merit.
It was at BAZOCHES, in the recently restored great gallery of the château, that Vauban, the founder of Civil Engineering, produced the studies and drawings for over three hundred constructions and strongholds and worked out the methods of attack and defence for the fortifications which made him an uncontested master of seige strategy and military architecture. It was also here that he wrote down his thoughts on a host of subjects which he jokingly called his "Oisivetés" (Idle jottings). Finally at BAZOCHES, he wrote the daring "Dîme Royale" (Royal Tax) which was immediately banned.
The present owners are descended from Charlotte de Vauban, the Marshal's eldest daughter, and, amongst the rich furnishings, carefully preserve many mementoes of their famous ancestor (armour, bed-chamber, office, library).
Le Château de Bussy-Rabutin
On the edge of the archeological site of Alésia, nestling in a small wooded valley, the 16th and 17th century château is surrounded by gardens. A tour of the apartments reveals over 200 17th century paintings collected by Roger Bussy-Rabutin a cousin of Mme de Sévigné. He offers us his unusual perspective on the court of Louis XIV
The Costume Museum at Château-Chinon occupies the ancient 18th Century mansion of the Buteau-Ravizy family.
Restoration work of the building was started in 1988 and the museum was reopened in 1992. It now exhibits an important collection, comprising beautiful 18th century dresses (worn by the upper middle class and nobility but also more humble clothes worn by the common people), clothes from the First Empire, the First and Second Restoration, the Second Empire and the Third Republic.
Numerous accessories (hats, shoes, bags, fans,...), a surprising quantity of braid and haberdashery articles, antique dolls and prints of fashions from the first Empire to the 20th century complete this rich and original collection.
Musée de la Civilisation Celtique
The Museum of Celtic Civilisation provides a distinctively modern setting for the visitor's introduction to Mont Beuvray. It lies directly below the ancient town of Bibracte. The museum also acts as a showcase for the results of archaeological projects undertaken of this first century BC Galic capital by research teams drawn from many countries. Guided tours of the surviving remains, such as the ramparts, of the 200 ha town are available, and include visits to archaeological excavations in progress. But visitors are also free should they wish to make their own way around this remarkable site and its fine natural setting. Each year a temporary exhibition on a special theme is presented in the museum, complementing the permanent display devoted to Bibracte and Celtic Europe.
Musée du Septennat
The Septennat museum at Château-Chinon occupies the ancient 18th century convent of Sainte-Claire. The exhibition houses a collection of gifts, which have been given to François Mitterrand since 1981, by France and most other countries of the world. He decided to give these gifts to the Nièvre department making this museum the only one of its kind at that time in France. After his re-election, the gifts continued to flood in. An extension was added to the museum and opened to the public on the 4th July 1992. The collection contains precious gifts (silk carpets, lacquer ware) from internationally reputed manufacturers, commemorative pieces (decorations and medals) and handcrafted objects from all five continents.
La maison des Hommes et des paysages - Saint-Brisson
Presenting the Morvan open air museum's theme of "exchanges and migrations", the Maison des Hommes et des paysages helps you discover the Morvan and its people. Here you will travel through history with the people of the Morvan and those it has welcomed along the routes of exchange and migration.
You will see the many faces of the Morvan: the countryside, the architecture, the evolution of its forest and its customs, the story of the Morvan's economic constraints, the modifications of its agricultural landscape and its history...
In the "Mémoire d'avenir" (Memory of the Future) area, you will hear about the current exchanges and migrations from native "morvandiaux" as well as from the area's newcomers.
On your travels from yesterday to today, you will be introduced to the real Morvan through an exploration of its life, the evolution of its "savoir-faire" and the relationship between man and his environment.
La maison du Seigle - Menessaire
Morvan didn't always have this lush green "face" that we see today. Until World War II, the landscape was dominated by scattered fields of golden rye. Actually, farmers produced a little bit of everything needed for local consumption on the region's poor granite soil, but it was especially rye, a poor cereal, which characterised the region's agricultural production.
The "Morvandiaux" (the people of the Morvan) have learned how to use all parts of the rye plant: grain to make bread, stalks to make household goods and articles for apiculture, thatched roofing, etc.
La maison des Galvachers - Anost
Traditional farming in the Morvan provided very little income so men and women had to find other ways of earning a living.
Many "Morvandiaux" were expert at training and driving their ox carts and managed to earn money transporting merchandise (especially local timber). Some crossed the plaines for several months each year, others for even longer periods, leaving behind their homes and loved ones as they sought to bring home a little more money.
This exhibit presents the techniques of these "galvachers", the ox carters and cattlemen of the Morvan whose celebrated comings and goings gave a rhythm to village life.
La maison Vauban - Saint-Léger-Vauban
Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban, Maréchal of Louis XIV, was one of the Morvan's greatest figures and he remained strongly attached to his homeland throughout his lifetime.
More than a military engineer, this exposition presents the other sides of Vauban: the economist, statistician, reformer, humanist ...
A keen observer of his epoch, Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban wrote extensively and proposed social and economic reforms well ahead of their time, such as the Royal Tithe. Join him to discover the kingdom of France and XVII century society.
La maison de l'élevage et du Charolais - Moulins-Engilbert
From 1800 to today and with an eye to the future, you wend your way through the agricultural history of the Morvan and you meet the farmers and breeders of the past and the present. From mixed subsistence farming with supplemental resources earned in a self-sufficient economy to an "all Charolais beef and market economy", you discover the men and their environment: their activities, the driving of cattle, their working conditions, and the evolution and changes of a rural world. It's also about a passion for the work of breeding Charolais cattle in a highland climate, its commercialisation, its place in the global economy and the possibilities of tomorrow.
On Lac des Settons (360 hectares), one can enjoy sailing (individual or group lessons) and hire catamarans or windsurfing boards. One can also take a ride in a canoe, kayak or rowboat.
On terra firma, explore nature and the local countryside of the Morvan on mountain bike, by foot or by orienteering. The centre at Les Settons has sports and recreation facilities such as tennis courts, volleyball courts and a games room.
Lac des Settons has all the ingredients for a perfect fishing spot. From the bank, there are many accesses thanks to the paths and trails that run beside the lake. Day fishing passes are available.
If you want to explore the history of Lac des Settons, then why not drift along the waters for a half-hour boat trip. The Captain provides commentary on your surroundings.
Lac de Pannecière
Fishing: At 520 hectares, Lac de Pannecière is the biggest and best-stocked lake in the Morvan. A category 2 lake, it offers many launch points, making it a typical area for predator fishing. The waters stretch out for 13km and feature many narrow sections that are sometimes only accessible by boat. Small fry thrive in the gently-sloping sections (Bonin, Vauminot, Arringette and Ardilly). Three "night carp" sections are signposted. Day fishing passses are available.
Pedalos: From May to September you can enjoy a pedalo ride on the water.
Lake view: The belvedere on Pannecière Dam is the ideal spot to enjoy a panoramic view of the lake and its banks. A viewing table describes the flora and fauna in the Morvan, the various activities, the architectural heritage and the history of Pannecière. Other panels explain the Dam from a technical, environmental and operational perspective.
You can also explore Lac de Pannecière by foot, mountain bike, barouche or horseback.
Lac de Saint-Agnan
Lac de Saint Agnan is set in wonderfully peaceful surroundings. The meadows that stretch right to the water's edge are reminiscent of the Irish countryside.
Water sports: The water sports centre located close to the holiday village Le Bois du Loup offers mountain bikes, canoes and pedalos for hire on the sandy beach.
Lakeside walks: Explore the lake on this easy route (9km), ideal for families, which alternates through the undergrowth and along the banks.
Fishing: This lake provides the perfect habitat for predators. Its landscaped setting and contrasting light are sure to conjure up the Irish lakes in the minds of visitors. Day fishing passes are available.
Etang du Goulot in Lormes - Mini-golf, fishing, play area and swimming
Enjoy a moment of relaxation with a loved one or friends on the banks of the Etang du Goulot in Lormes, where you can take a tour of the lake (around 2km) or play a round on the campsite's miniature golf course or games area. The Etang du Goulot is also a great fishing spot.
Nature trail at Espace St-Brisson
Herbularium: Discover 170 types of flora from the Morvan region. The Herbularium is inspired by the medicinal plant gardens that existed in the monasteries and châteaux in the Middle Ages. Information panels help to identify the species and explain their uses and living conditions.
Arboretum: A small trail takes you on a tour of 17 forest and plant essences typical to the Morvan. Every tree has been allocated an information panel containing a detailed description of the species.
Educational trail: A 1km trail at the tail end of Etang Taureau (or Bull Pond) dotted with 13 information panels to help visitors learn all about this rich natural environment. A bird watching station is a great way to observe the avifauna in the Morvan.
The Pré Lamy Golf
Situated among the rolling pastures of the Auxois as they meet the forest of the Morvan, the Pré Lamy Club offers a course which will give pleasure to all.
Under the calm but ever watchful eye of the château and the Collegial church of Thil, the course provides a real test for experienced players. At the same time, in a calm unhurried environment, with beautiful sights, beginners will be able to improve their skills on a course well suited to their needs.
The atmosphere is friendly, the countryside pleasing - This is really golf in the country!