REGIONAL FEATURE

Located to the west of the famous vineyards of Beaune, the Morvan park has enjoyed its special status of protection from industrial development for over 50 years; it was French President François Mitterrand, a former mayor of the Morvan’s regional capital Chateau-Chinon, who elevated it to an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Mind you, it was not always this way. In times gone by, the local Morvan population was shunned by their rich neighbouring Burgundians. The word ‘Morvan’ means Black Mountain in ancient Celtic and, according to an old proverb, from the black mountain came only "bad wind and bad people." However, since the Mitterrand proclamation, the locals have become increasingly proud of their own region. To be a Morvandiau or Morvandelle has suddenly become pretty cool!

A trip around the region reveals why. With villages and small towns relatively untouched by the passage of time, it’s a photographer’s dream come true. For example, the architectural heritage of Autun is definitely worth a visit. Founded by the Roman Emperor Augustus, its old city walls remain to this day. Here you will also find a temple to the Roman god Janus and a beautiful Romanesque cathedral dedicated to Saint Lazarus. Also, of interest during a trip around the town are the narrow medieval streets near the cathedral, the Rolin museum that houses collections of archaeological finds, sculptures and paintings, and the Natural History museum.

All this exploring deserves a drink and a bite to eat, and you will find plenty of restaurants and wine bars situated around the cathedral.
Talking of food, twenty-five miles to the north of Autun is the town of Saulieu, known for its great food and restaurants. Over centuries, the town built up around an old inn on the Roman road from Autun to Auxerre.

Saulieu is a gourmet stopover, with several internationally renowned restaurants. It also has a number of beautiful historical sites including the Romanesque Basilica of Saint-Andoche. Head to the town on a Saturday morning in the summer – it’s market day and a great chance to soak up the local atmosphere and a beer in the town square.

Saulieu has long been famed for its gastronomy. The ‘Relais Bernard Loiseau’ sits atop of the list of restaurants in the town. Of course, if this two-star Michelin establishment is a little too expensive, there are lots of other restaurants to choose from, and to suit every taste. And if you are into doing it yourself in the kitchen, stop-by ‘La Fouchale’ cheese shop and the recently opened ‘Cadeau Gourmand’, offering a good selection of wines.

There is so much more to see and do in the Morvan Park… well worth a visit are the chutes of the Gouloux Waterfall, and the dolmen at Chevresse to be found at Saint Brisson (Editor: It’s actually a natural rock formation not a prehistoric site despite its name).
And, if you can stay longer than a weekend break, you can go rambling, cycling, mountain biking and tons of water sports to do, especially if you find yourself in the area of the Lac des Settons right at the heart of this beautiful part of the regional park.

Continue your discovery of the Morvan region with links on our own regional Morvan information page