Circular walk along the Sans Fond starting from Corcelles-lès-Cîteaux

To get to Corcelles-lès-Cîteaux from Dijon, take the D996. Once in the centre of the village, on Route de Seurre, park in the car park on your right. This car park is signposted and also serves as a car-sharing drop-off point.

(S/E) Leave the car park and head towards Route de Seurre, cross the road at the pedestrian crossing and turn left onto Rue de l’Église. Turn right onto this street and, after the town hall, turn right again to pass between the town hall, the library and the school. Continue onto Rue des Chênes.

(1) Continue to your left and immediately turn right onto Petite Rue au Chêne. At the end of the street, turn right onto Route de Longecourt en Plaine (D25) and proceed carefully along this road to leave the village. On leaving the village, walk safely on the right-hand side of the road for about 300 m as you enter the forest.

(2) Turn right onto the straight forest track that crosses the hamlet of Les Perreaux. Continue along this track until you reach the Maison Forestière des Perreaux and, after passing through the gate, turn left onto the road. Continue to the stone bridge spanning the Sans Fond and cross it.

(3) Take the path running alongside the Sans Fond immediately to the left. You will notice information boards along the route referring to the Sans Fond, but written as “La Cent Fonts”. Please note: this section can be muddy and slippery in wet or rainy weather. Walk along the riverbank to the D25.

(4) Turn left onto it, cross the bridge and walk safely along the road for about 250 m until you reach a path with a barrier on the left.

(5) Cross the road carefully, turn right and cross the ditch using the wooden walkway. Continue along the edge of the woods on the grassy path following a clear-cut area at a place called Hées de l'Aige Caillet. At the end of the path, at the T-junction, take another path on the left then head straight on to reach the first houses. Turn right, continue along the small road to reach the junction with Rue du Chaineau.

(6) Follow the dirt track to the right signposted “Chemin découverte du canal de la Cent Fonts”. Turn left at a 90° angle onto this track and head towards a junction just before the edge of a small wood.

(7) Turn left towards the village of Corcelles-lès-Cîteaux and continue to the junction with Route de Longecourt (D25).

(8) Turn right onto this road to reach the pedestrian crossing, cross it carefully and turn onto Rue du Clos du Château. Stay on this street until you reach Route de Seurre.

(9) Turn left and cross the road as soon as possible at the pedestrian crossing. Then walk up the road, keeping to the left, to reach the car park (S/E).

Please note: the path along the Sand Fond can be very slippery in wet weather: walking sticks are recommended.

Corcelles-lès-Cîteaux

The archaeological records of the Côte d'Or archives mention this commune from the year 871 onwards. The commune also boasts several items listed in the inventory of Historic Monuments:
- The two church bells dating from 1620.
- Two polychrome statues of Saint Sebastian from the 17th and 18th centuries.
- A 17th-century painting.
A municipal woodland park is equipped with a few play areas for younger children and picnic tables for older visitors. This park is an ideal spot for a stroll and relaxation for everyone.

Cîteaux Abbey

Route de Seurre -Saint-Nicolas-les-Cîteaux

Although the abbey founded by Robert de Molesme in 1098, the cradle of the Cistercian Order, has undergone numerous transformations over the centuries, it has nonetheless remained the mother house of the Order, still inhabited by Cistercian monks. Inside the enclosure, visitors can explore beautiful 15th-century remains: the restored cloister of the copyists and library, and the novitiate – a 17th-century Definitory that has not been restored. Exhibitions on 12th-century illuminations, the art of bookbinding, a monk’s daily routine, and the unique nature of Cistercian governance punctuate the visit. A film and an exhibition showcase monastic life today at Cîteaux.

Cîteaux Abbey is also famous for its cheese: Cîteaux. This pressed cow’s milk cheese, with its fruity, grassy flavour, can be bought directly from the abbey shop, where the Cistercian monks carry on the region’s cheese-making tradition by selling this uniquely flavoured cheese at very reasonable prices.