La Thébaïde

A lovely walk, starting from a well-preserved village with a unique heritage. Here, nothing comes without a bit of effort. You always have to go up before you can come down. But if you give it a go, your steps will take you through the vineyards to the Blanot caves, a protected site which, in winter, is home to small colonies of common pipistrelles and lesser and greater horseshoe bats – species that play a major role in the site’s reputation. The return journey will take you through the shade of the woods.

A hilly route winding its way between the Clunisois and Mâconnais hills. Between Blanot and Azé, you’ll discover Vaux-sur-Aine and its castle, as well as La Bouzolle with its striking tower, much loved by Sacha Guitry.In any case, this is a somewhat challenging route that requires a bit of stamina and an adventurous spirit. It’s not an easy ride, but it offers its rewards.

This route offers the chance to discover, as you stroll, a facet of Blanot’s recent history, which remains very much alive in the collective memory of its inhabitants. Blanot is a former Communist stronghold, and was also once a base for the Resistance. This past comes to the fore from the very first steps taken in the village and can still be sensed around the ruins of the Ferme de Crue, the Buisson du Fournil and Notre-Dame-de-la-Roche. There are beautiful views over Donzy-le-Pertuis, Cortambert and the Grosne Valley.

A beautiful, undulating route that will take you along a newly marked trail through the municipal woodlands of Blanot, offering some very pretty views, and through the Combe du Nivernais. It continues along the Grison with its old mills before climbing up to Culey and reaching the shade of the woods on the Faitral path, which offers glimpses of the Grosne valley in places.

A gentle family walk, perfect for a first exploration of the undulating paths of the Clunis region.

A short walk that invites contemplation. There’s barely any effort required at the very start of the route to reach the ridge and the leafy canopy of the Bois de la Roche. The dappled light soon captivates the walker, whilst the palette of colours intensifies, as do the surrounding scents. Landscapes of vineyards and hedgerows intertwine. The return via the Chemin de la Musette is a gentle reawakening of the senses and a smooth return to the present moment.

Setting out on this walk means following in the footsteps of the men and women of yesteryear; it means experiencing first-hand what daily life was like in this valley. The hard work required to tame this land can still be felt in the places you pass through: the dry-stone walls lining the paths, built with patience; the wash houses weathered by the laundry so regularly scrubbed; the vines forced to take root in the soil…

This walk will take you from the Grison Valley to the Grosne Valley, climbing the slopes of the Bois de la Roche. The narrowness of the former will prepare you for the vast expanse of the latter. History will accompany your every step, with a deanery and castles adorning each of their slopes.

To the west of Cormatin, in the heart of the Ban Sacré, this walk may occasionally involve getting your feet wet during heavy rain, but above all it offers the chance to discover some of the most beautiful Cluniac sites.

A short, slightly challenging circular walk that takes you through vineyards, scrubland and woods from one of the most beautiful villages in the Clunisois region to its highest peak, Mont Saint-Romain, above which you can sometimes spot paragliders on certain days.

A lovely walk, mostly in the shade, which will take you to the foot of Mont-Saint-Romain, the highest peak in the Clunisois region, passing through the village of Charcuble, which still bears the mark of our recent history with its chapel. You can visit the Blanot and Azé Caves, or enjoy a swim at the Azé municipal swimming pool, which is open from1 June until the end of August.