The Pierre de Balancin to Blanot circular route

Park in the car park in the village of Blanot.

(S/E) Walk between the war memorial and ‘L’Étape’, the village’s former hotel and restaurant. It was here, following an informant’s tip-off, that five villagers who were members of the Resistance were arrested and deported on 23 January 1944. Their names, along with five others, are inscribed on the memorial.

Stay on this wide path, which winds its way uphill until it reaches the ridge path at the ‘La Roche’ signpost.

(1) Turn right towards Chissey-lès-Mâcon. Stay on the ridge path, pass the ‘Bois de la Roche’ signpost and continue towards Chissey-lès-Mâcon until you reach the Pierre de Balancin crossroads.

(2) Then head down the steep path to the right.

(3) At the “Bois de la Chassagne” junction, at the bottom of the slope, take the path opposite marked with blue signs on a white background. At Les Echats Loups, continue to the left until you reach the edge of the woodland.

(4) Go through an open gate and carry on walking until you reach the edge of the field, where you’ll join the Chemin de la Musette.

(5) Carry on to the right along this path, which soon becomes ‘La Miguette’. At the junction, leave the blue markings on a white background and follow the brass signpost featuring a bat, which leads straight back to the starting point (S/E).

Public toilets are available in the car park in the village of Blanot and at the caves.
Walking shoes are recommended.
Bring water.

Accommodation available in Blanot.

Alternative route
(4) An alternative route is available if the first gate is closed or if you’re feeling adventurous. Instead of going through the gate, turn left onto the steep path leading downhill, taking care as the ground may be slippery. At the bottom of the descent, turn right.
Once you reach ‘en Beau cul’, a former vantage point for admirers of the washerwomen, you can take a detour to the left to the Vivier washhouse (1849); this leads to a picnic area.
Simply follow the path you took on the way there back up to rejoin the Chemin de la Musette and continue the route.

There are several options available to you after your walk:
- a visit to the caves and/or their refreshment bar in summer.
- a visit to the village of Blanot with its Merovingian tombs, church, Cluniac deanery, washhouses, communal oven and pottery.
- a trip to the Mont Saint-Romain orientation point, situated on the highest peak in the Clunisois region.

You can also arrange a tasting at the Domaine du Grison wine cellar or at one of the cheese dairies.