Between castles and mills in the upper Armançon valley

How to get to Chailly-sur-Armançon: From Pouilly-en-Auxois, take the road towards Saulieu. After 6km, enter Chailly-sur-Armançon and follow the signs for Saulieu as far as the town hall, where you'll find a few parking spaces and where the hike begins.

(S/E) With the town hall on your left, follow the Saulieu road to the end of the village.

Yellow markings

After leaving the village, take the first track on the left, past the livestock buildings. Head south down the valley to the village of Dionne.

(1) Don't forget to visit the wash-house and spring at the entrance to the village on your right.
Continue uphill for a few metres and take the first tarmac road, which turns left in a hairpin. After 500 metres, at the start of the descent, turn right to follow the gravel path which lies slightly below the edge of the plateau. Follow this signposted path for about 2km.

(2) On your left, you'll have a fine view of the Armançon valley. When you reach the tarmac road, turn right onto it for about 200m and take the first path that turns to the left.

Green and yellow markings

(3) On your right you'll see an old windmill, and behind you the windmills of the 21st century.

Follow the path slightly downhill into Châtellenot. Keeping to the signposts, pass the village wash-house, then under the castle, to reach a path heading east-north-east down to the valley through meadows. In the forest, keep to the right. After a kilometer of descent and at the end of the wood, at the signpost, turn left (towards Bellenot). Cross the bridge and follow the left-hand path along the edge of the gully. When you reach the lake, follow the signs to Bellenot.

(4) Cross the bridge at the end of the lake. Skirt around the Cercey reservoir, admiring its diverse flora and fauna as you go. When you reach the start of the dike, turn left before the small cabin, cross the small road and follow the reservoir's feed channel on its right for about 1km. Continuing to follow the signs, turn right onto the path that leads into the forest opposite a footbridge.

Off marked path

(5) When you reach the tarmac track, turn left and follow it all the way back to Chailly-sur-Armançon.

(6) On the way, take time to admire the castle and its golf course. In the village, take the 3rd street on the right just after the Grande Maison to return to the town hall (S/E).

Look up what you need to know and take extra care during hunting season, as you'll be passing through wooded areas where big game is frequent.
Make sure you wear hiking boots with good ankle support.
There are no water refills on this route.
This route can also be done by mountain bike.
For information on accommodation in the area:
La Capitainerie - marina - 1 rue de la coopérative - 21320 Pouilly-en-Auxois
Tel: 03 80 90 77 36 / Fax: 03 80 90 81 66
info@pouilly-auxois.com
www.pouilly-auxois.com

Things to see on the way:
(1) Dionne wash house and spring.
(2) View of the Amançon valley and Pouilly-en-Auxois.
(3) Windmill on the plateau above Châtellenot, then the washhouse and Châtellenot castle (not open to visitors).
(4) The Cercey reservoir with its flora and fauna. One of five reservoirs feeding the Burgundy canal.
(6) Chailly castle and golf course.