Sornay (Saône-et-Loire) walks

Sornay, a rural village of 2,000 inhabitants situated near Louhans-Châteaurenaud and Branges, is bordered by two rivers: the Sâne Morte and the Seille. The latter, popular with anglers and boaters, features a towpath perfect for exploring the wetlands and their characteristic flora and fauna.

Surrounded by waterways, Louhans, of Burgundian origin, means "pleasant place by the water". Over the centuries, the town has developed thanks to trade. The medieval town has preserved its main street with 157 arcades, one of the longest in France. On Monday mornings, there is a large market, including a poultry market.

In the heart of the Burgundian Bresse region, Vincelles is bordered by the non-navigable stretch of the River Seille, which is a delight for anglers. Close to Louhans-Châteaurenaud, the trails are easily accessible and will take you on a journey through woods and meadows to discover the natural surroundings. In the village, you can admire the private mills that dot the Bresse countryside.

In the heart of the Burgundian Bresse region, Vincelles is bordered by the non-navigable stretch of the River Seille, which is a delight for anglers. Close to Louhans-Châteaurenaud, the trails are easily accessible and will take you on a journey through nature, passing through woods, fields and meadows.

Bruailles boasts a well-preserved heritage: the bishop’s house, the vicarage, the church and the bakehouse. The bakehouse was once used by the villagers to bake their bread. Situated in the heart of the village and close to the town hall, it is brought back to life several times a year during various village events. Two rivers wind their way through the village, flowing between floodplains and wooded countryside: the Vallière and the Solnan.

Simandre, on the banks of the Saône and close to Cuisery, is a lively village with many shops. Its Romanesque church and lava stone roof are listed in the Bâtiments de France inventory. You can observe the flora and fauna at the various ponds along the way.

Simandre, on the banks of the Saône and close to Cuisery, is a lively village with many shops. Its Romanesque church and lava stone roof are listed in the Bâtiments de France inventory. You can observe the flora and fauna at the various ponds along the route.

In the north-east of the Burgundian Bresse, Frangy-en-Bresse stretches from east to west for around 10 km. It shares a natural border with the Jura via the River Seille. A Natura 2000-designated wetland area, between the Seille and the Seillette, created for the preservation of wildlife, is particularly rich in bird and plant species. Along the trail, you can pass through the commune’s many hamlets and discover fortified houses and Bresse-style farmhouses.

A route along easy paths in the Bresse region, starting from the traditional village of Romenay.

Starting from the hamlet of La Madeleine, this historic path immerses you in a place steeped in history. Here, on 8 and 9 March 1944, a group of resistance fighters based in the surrounding forests was taken by surprise and surrounded, leading to fierce fighting in the woods, the fields and right into the heart of the village. This site commemorates the sacrifice of four resistance fighters and three residents of the hamlet, including the Jouvenceau brothers. As a tribute, a memorial has been erected using stones from the burnt-out houses, ensuring the memory of these events lives on. It is a moving stop, combining heritage, nature and the duty to remember.

Set off to explore the church of Villegaudin, a testament to the village’s past, walk near the Étang de Villegaudin, a haven of biodiversity, and finish at the Moulin de Gabrot, a former private mill nestled on the banks of the Cosne. A walk rich in nature and local heritage!

On the edge of the Jura and the Ain, the village of Condal as it stands today is the result of its merger with the commune of Saint-Sulpice in 1809. Although it is crossed by the A39, known as the ‘Green Motorway’, Condal has retained its landscape of green hills overlooking the River Solnan. Watermills, wash houses and Bresse-style farmhouses – whose architecture resembles that of the Ain region due to the village’s location – come into view as the paths wind their way through the countryside.

It is undoubtedly the sand dunes that represent the most striking feature of the Nature Reserve. Shaped 5,000 years ago by the wind, these shifting sands are partially covered in mosses and lichens. Only species adapted to arid environments manage to colonise them. Just a few metres from this desert-like environment lies a waterlogged area stretching over 5 to 6 hectares: a wooded peat bog, the presence of which at an altitude of just 200 metres is surprising. A third, very different environment can be seen not far from there: Étang Fouget, whose surrounding marsh takes the form of a vegetative labyrinth and attracts numerous birds.

The Sentier de la Vivelle is an invitation to unwind in the heart of nature. This circular forest path, particularly suitable for families and Sunday outings, crosses the Bois de Guerfand. The route is shaded and flat, making it accessible to all, including young children. It is an ideal route for discovering the local flora and enjoying the tranquillity of a preserved woodland.

An easy walk to discover the peaceful countryside of the Bresse Bourguignonne. The route passes through farmland, a beautiful lake, meadows and woods, finally following a small river. Here and there are scattered Bresse farms, some still in operation.PR®® (yellow) signposts all along the route.

A short hike to discover a lesser-known but no less beautiful Jura valley. The loop starts behind the church in Gizia, a small village where the Gizia river has its source. Then a fairly steep but generally shaded climb leads to the village of Le Chanelet, at the top of the 220m high cliff. The Belvédère de Chanelet offers a breathtaking view of the Bresse and Mâconnais regions.

A lovely loop on the first slopes of the Jura massif, above the Bresse plain (Revermont). A largely forested route, with viewpoints and panoramas, typical villages, monuments and heritage sites.

This is an easy walk with little elevation gain, featuring fountains and six wash houses along the route. Walk on tarmac roads and dirt tracks.

Set off in search of the heritage of Saint-Martin-en-Bresse by exploring its 19th-century church, notable for its neo-Gothic style and colourful stained-glass windows, as well as the old railway station, once a hub of trade between the Bresse and Chalon, now gone but steeped in history.

A very pleasant walk, with some sections where caution is required. It initially runs alongside the Besançon river. (This walk is not recommended during periods of high water). Along the route, you will discover an old spinning mill, a waterfall, two viewpoints, the ruins of the Château de l'Aubépin, a chapel and old wash houses. The route is well shaded and can be enjoyed in summer without any problems.

This walk takes you past two landmarks of local history: Montcoy Castle, visible from the path and a feature of the Burgundian Bresse landscape, and the Guerfand motte, the remains of an ancient medieval fortified site. It is a walk combining nature and heritage.

The Saint-Amour region offers small villages with charming traces of the past: wash houses, chapels and the L'Aubépin tower with its breathtaking views. An easy and short walk, but it involves climbing from the plain up to the crest of the first Jura hill. Mainly good stony paths.

This walk invites you to discover the local heritage: the Saugy wash house, once the heart of the hamlet; the Saône sluice gate, which regulates the river’s level; and the Caillet wash house, nestled in lush greenery. A stroll through nature and the village’s history.