A circular walk around Bibracte starting from the Maison du Beuvray

The route starts at the Maison du Beuvray (La Maison du Beuvray – Cultural Centre in the heart of the Morvan) in Saint-Léger-sous-Beuvray.

(S/E) From the Maison du Beuvray, head towards the Vaucourieux crossroads.

(1) Continue straight on along Route de Chevigny, then turn right onto the D61 and enter the village of Saint-Léger. At the crossroads (baker’s), turn right (towards Saint-Prix), then immediately turn left onto the D179.
After 100 m, turn left (towards the cemetery). At the end of the cemetery wall, take the path on the left. Pass a fork to the left and you’ll come to a lovely access road leading to a farm. Take the path on the left and you’ll reach the D3.

(2) Follow the D3 to the right. At the first fork, take the road on the left (towards Poil, La Chazotte). At the first junction, carry on straight ahead on the tarmac (the PR® turns left). Pass a valley floor, climb 100 m, then take a good track on the right.
Go round a pair of houses, then turn right onto the path leading uphill towards the north. You’ll reach the D3 at the hamlet of l’Âne.

(3) Set off along the D3 to the left as far as the ‘Maison de la Bise de l’Âne’, then turn left onto the GR® which makes a wide circular loop and joins the D274. Follow it to the right, then leave it immediately to follow the GR® which climbs up to the right. Climb steadily along this GR® which leads to the summit of Mont Beuvray and its orientation tables.

(4) From the summit, there are plenty of options: the summit area is dotted with open archaeological excavation sites (very well documented by information boards), as well as paths and trails. The route described below is just one option amongst many.
From “La Terrasse” (the clearing covering the summit), head north, then slightly east: just below, you can see the largest excavation site, divided into two parts: a major site (approximately 100 m x 100 m) with the foundations of numerous buildings reconstructed, visible from a viewing platform. Further on, beneath a large marquee, lies a site of similar size that is still being excavated.

(5) Walk round the shelter at the bottom, follow the well-marked site track, and arrive at a plain with several excavation sites (Parc aux Chevaux). Head north-east towards a small hill. Pass the summit excavation site, and head back down a good path which joins a lovely track (PR®) at a large rock.

(6) Take the PR® on the right until you reach a tarmac road. Turn left onto the GR®, which runs alongside the road on the left. You’ll arrive at the Porte de Rebout (a reconstruction of the main entrance to the oppidum).

(7) Continue along the road for about a hundred metres, then take a path that descends to the right. At a crossroads of paths, a sign points to ‘Musée 800 m’ (to the left) and ‘Musée 400 m – Steep slope’ (to the right). The path on the right is indeed a little steep and may be best avoided in wet weather or on wet ground. Walk to the car park, join the D3, turn left and continue for about 300 metres.

(8) Take the correct forest track on the right, heading due north. After about 500 m, at the first hairpin junction, veer to the right. You’ll reach a junction of tracks at a pass at an elevation of 597.

(9) Take the^second track on the left, which descends almost directly opposite, heading due east. When you reach a goat farm, turn right, then take^{the first} left, then left onto the road. Then, at the fork, take the Chemin du Quessenot (marked PR®) on the right. Continue for about 1 km until you reach a crossroads.

(10) Take the GR®131 straight ahead to the hamlet of La Boutière. Cross the D179, follow the canal, and come out onto the D179 again. Follow it to the left. It turns left at the junction (towards Autun): carry on straight ahead.

(11) 50 m further on, take a path on the left. Pass between two houses and come out onto a tarmac road. However, leave the tarmac road and walk alongside the hedge of the second house on the left to take a shaded path. Further on, cross the D3 road, then come out onto another road with a cross at the initial junction of the circular route.

(1) Turn left, heading in the opposite direction to the outward journey, and return to the Maison du Beuvray (S/E).

The Maison du Beuvray (La Maison du Beuvray – Cultural Centre in the heart of the Morvan) is not just a cultural centre; it also offers accommodation.

There are several shops in the centre of Saint-Léger-en-Beuvray.
The museum also offers refreshments.

The paths are well signposted and present no particular difficulty. However, sturdy walking shoes are recommended, and a few steep sections may warrant the use of walking poles, especially when the ground is wet.

Wander around the summit of Mont Beuvray at your leisure to explore the excavation sites and read the information on the display boards.

The Bibracte Museum is a must-visit to gain a better understanding of an important chapter in our ancient history.