From Flavigny to the Château de Bussy-Rabutin

Park in the car park at the entrance to the village of Flavigny.

(S/E) Leave the car park via the pedestrian exit, then take the road to the left and then right at the bend, following the sign for “Des anis au vignoble”. Follow the old ramparts of Flavigny to reach the Porte du Val.

(1) At this fortified gate, which is well worth a look as you pass, continue straight on along the stony path that descends until it joins a tarmac road.

(2) Follow it to the right for about 250 m, then take the small path branching off to the left. Walk down this sunken path, flanked by two hedges marking the boundary of meadows; it is quite grassy and, unfortunately, poorly maintained.

(3) When you reach the D9 road, cross carefully and go down a short, steep slope that runs alongside a recently restored old mill. Cross the Ozerain via a footbridge, cross a track and continue straight on along a path that climbs quite steeply. This section is also, unfortunately, poorly maintained (nettles and brambles).

(4) Enter the Bois du Suchot. Continue climbing straight on until you reach the Epermaille farm. 200 m before reaching the farm, you will notice a spring on the right flowing into a trough.

(5) Before the Epermaille farm, take the track on the left, which follows the old Alésia-Sombernon Roman road to the Col de Pennevelle.

(6) At the Col de Pennevelle, take the road on the right towards Darcey for 50 m, then the path that descends to the left. Walk down until you reach the track that runs alongside the TGV line.

(7) Take the track on the right for about a hundred metres and find the small passage that goes under the railway line. Be careful, this passage may be flooded in winter or spring, and it is also somewhat hidden by the grass. Note the exit on the other side, for the return journey. Take the road on the left, then, when you reach the path you took on the other side of the railway line, take the footpath that climbs into the woods on the right. Continue across the plateau surrounded by fields until you reach a three-way junction.

(8) Note the wall surrounding the grounds of the Château de Bussy-Rabutin. Take the road on the left which runs down alongside this wall and arrive at the Château de Bussy-Rabutin.

(9) Turn back towards the Col de Pennevelle.

(6) Then turn right onto the road towards Alise-Ste-Reine for about 100 m, then take the path branching off to the right. After another 100 m, take the^PR® path branching off to the right. Continue to the archaeological site of the Gallo-Roman town of Alésia, keeping to the right. Start descending towards the village of Alise until you reach a wayside cross about 100 m from the entrance pavilion to the excavations.

(10) Just after the wayside cross, take a faint path branching off to the right. This path leads to a kiosk with an orientation board. Continue to the statue of Vercingétorix. Admire the statue of Vercingétorix commissioned by Napoleon III, whose face is said to be that of the emperor. Follow the path which continues behind the statue and go down the steps leading to the village of Alise. Turn left onto the road and then, at the crossroads, turn right down towards the town hall (water tap on the left).

(11) The path to follow starts just to the right of the town hall and descends to the Ozerain. Cross the Ozerain and continue along the path that runs between the buildings of the Moulin Savy. Continue along the path that climbs up to a crossroads.

(12) Turn right and continue uphill along this path, which was used by the relics of Sainte-Reine when the procession took place on foot, setting off from Flavigny to Alise at the beginning of September each year. Follow this path until you reach the road leading up to Flavigny.

(13) Continue straight on towards Les Tanneries and climb up a final steep slope towards the Porte du Val.

(1) Take the road branching off to the right and head to the car park (S/E).

This hike requires good walking shoes.
The paths between (3) and (5) are no longer as well maintained as they once were: nettles and brambles may be waiting for you there.
The crossing under the railway line at (8) may not be passable in winter and spring: the crossing may be flooded.
You can fill your water bottles at the town hall in Alise-Sainte-Reine: a drinking water tap is available.
Walk completed on 28 June 2023.

Living in Flavigny, we devised this walk 35 years ago with the aim of visiting Bussy-Rabutin Castle without taking the car.
Plan to arrive at Bussy-Rabutin Castle in the late morning or early afternoon, when you can visit it.
In Alise-Sainte-Reine, pop over to say hello to the statue of Vercingétorix commissioned by Napoleon III.
Of course, you must visit Flavigny, a magnificent fortified village that has retained its medieval character.
Information on visiting the château here