The washhouses of Jambles and Mont Avril

Continuing to discover the Saône-et-Loire region through this wine-growing village and its many small wash-houses. The trail ends at Mont Avril, with its panoramic view over the whole valley. I advise you to do this trail in autumn to get the most out of it.

Details

138438
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.87 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 297 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 298 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 420 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 253 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Jambles (71640)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 46.770712° / E 4.697539°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2926SB, 3026SB
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

The walk starts from the Jambles leisure area. Arriving from Givry, turn left at the Drain vineyard (small sign indicating the leisure area). On the other side of the village, pass the church and turn right (sign indicating the walk parking area).

(1) Climb the path alongside Agorespace and follow it to the left until you reach the first wash-house.

(2) Take the narrow path on the left. When you reach the road, turn left, then right, and at the bend in the road, follow the footpath on the left as it rises and runs alongside the old people's home. Turn right onto the road (Rue de Charnaille) and go straight on to Château de Charnaille.

(3) Make a U-turn, then take the road to the right (Chemin du Grand Ru), which leads to another wash-house (on the left, below the road beside a house). Follow this road to the next junction. At the house and hydrant, turn left down this street (Rue du Chapitre).

(4) When you reach a square with a cross under a tree, turn left into the next street and head for another cross. Behind the cross is a wash-house (dry when I passed). At the cross, take Rue de la Côte Chalonnaise towards the school (signposted) and turn right at the first Junction (Rue du Quart Berry).

(5) At the school, turn left onto Montée de Brochon.

(6) When you reach the top of Brochon, you'll pick up a PR® signposted in yellow. Turn left and follow it down to the road. Turn left to see the wash-house, then retrace your steps and follow the PR® again.

(7) Come to a road, go to the cross and take the road in front of you (you are now leaving the PR®). Follow this road to a cross.

(8) At the cross, turn right into Rue du Mont Cœur, pass a factory and turn left (follow the wash-house signs). Turn right down the street to the wash-house. Make a U-turn at the wash-house, then turn right again and return to the cross.

(8) Back at the cross, turn right and follow the road.

(9) At the fountain, turn left and pick up the GR®7-76. Go up the road, past a wash-house, and continue on the road as it bends to the left (in the bend you leave the GR®°).

(10) At the end of the road on the right is the discovery trail (signposted). Climb this path, which begins with a flight of steps, and follow it to the summit of Mont Avril. The summit features an viewpoint indicator and a cross with a magnificent 360° panorama.

At the summit, opposite a bench and the viewpoint indicator, take the path that descends due east and joins the GR®. Follow the white and red markings through the forest, pass through the fence and continue downhill. Turn right at the second track and return to the car park.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 272 m - Agorespace: departure and arrival
  2. 1 : km 0.51 - alt. 263 m - First wash-house
  3. 2 : km 1.34 - alt. 312 m - Half a tour of the castle
  4. 3 : km 2.61 - alt. 282 m - Place in Jambles
  5. 4 : km 2.99 - alt. 278 m - School, montée de Brochon
  6. 5 : km 3.41 - alt. 327 m - Brochon
  7. 6 : km 4.21 - alt. 333 m - Take the road opposite, leaving the PR
  8. 7 : km 5.37 - alt. 293 m - Return journey Lavoir de Mortière
  9. 8 : km 7.2 - alt. 296 m - Cercot
  10. 9 : km 7.7 - alt. 342 m - Start of the discovery trail on the right
  11. S/E : km 9.87 - alt. 271 m

Notes

Dry toilet and picnic table at the start of the walk.
Château Charnaille is a French gîte.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 41 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
Vachon fernand
Vachon fernand
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Report from 25/11/26, intermittent light rain, 5°C, slightly muddy paths and slippery descents on the rocks. Despite this, it was a very beautiful hike with its wash houses, villages and hamlets with stone houses, the countryside and peaceful paths, and panoramic views that took our breath away.
This isn't the third time I've done this hike and it's still just as beautiful.

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Uno
Uno

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike!
The access to Mont Avril is arduous, but what a wonderful reward when you discover the magnificent 360-degree panorama!

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sonia boeugras
sonia boeugras

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

It was a lovely walk on a beautiful spring day through our magnificent Burgundy countryside. It's true that spring and its flowers (irises, lilacs, daisies, buttercups.....) transform the landscape with their beautiful colours, not forgetting the wisteria, which were so beautiful.
The highlight of the show, Mount April..... Magnificent 360° panorama😍😍😍😍😍
The only downside is that the walk is classed as easy, but not everyone can do it, especially to climb Mont Avril. Don't take children who are too small, as they'll need to be carried before you arrive, or older children if they're not used to hiking.😜

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Man Man
Man Man

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The route is very well signposted and the reward at the end of the tour is a magnificent view 😊

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micheline
micheline

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The route is very well explained and you can't go wrong. It's very pleasant and there are some superb views.

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Lionel terrasse
Lionel terrasse

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very nice walk, although I looked for my way a bit on the Mont d'Avril, I didn't come across anyone but it was in November and there was fog at the start on a weekday and between 11am and 1pm you have to be careful of cows running free, especially with a dog.

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AVF Mellecey
AVF Mellecey

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A walk done with a group of around ten people.
No particular difficulties.
Lovely views from the route, particularly from Mont Avril... magnificent!
We didn't do the ar to go to the Mortieres washhouse, as I didn't think it was very interesting.

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Guillaume71
Guillaume71

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We didn't need a GPS track because the explanations were so clear!
The text and map were more than enough.
The walk is easy, the choice of the wash-houses as a common thread is very interesting and the end at the top of Mont Avril offers a beautiful view, like a reward.

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C.a
C.a

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Pleasant walk, thanks to the author!

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F7C31h
F7C31h

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Pleasant walk, with a beautiful view from Mt Avril.

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Badey
Badey

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant walk with no difficulties

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Fino
Fino

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Pleasant, but not to be done in summer as there is little shade and a bit too much tarmac for my liking. Only the section leading up to Mont Avril is interesting.

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Dandine2
Dandine2

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 16, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

As is often the case, the route is very pleasant but the signposts have disappeared or are missing.
Superb views from Mont Avril and a walk with contrasting landscapes.

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Noakniiloviktor
Noakniiloviktor

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Hi, nice hike with a magnificent view of mont avril

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Pascal Pasc
Pascal Pasc

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 25, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

There is far too much tarmac, and the wash-houses are not very pretty on the whole. The only interesting section is the last few kilometres from the discovery trail leading to Mont Avril, the only trail that really takes you through the countryside. This trail is well worth a visit, and there is a car park at the bottom of the path.

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