Anthien

For travelers looking to combine cultural history and hiking, Anthien offers several points of interest. The Church of Saint-Pierre-aux-Liens, the Croix du Chemin Calvary cross and the Lavoir d’Anthien reflect different histories of construction and pilgrimage. The Circuit du Mont Sabot adds a hiking route with panoramic views. When planning your trip, it is worth considering the construction history of each place and their different connections to the routes separately.

Church and château: construction history spanning several centuries

The Church of Saint-Pierre-aux-Liens dates in part to the 13th century. The present-day building includes a bell-tower porch, a nave with three bays and side aisles, and a transept. These terms describe different parts of the church: the nave is the lengthwise section, the side aisles are alongside it, and the transept runs across it. The reference to the 13th century applies only to part of the church.

The Château de Villemolin also offers a glimpse of several construction phases. The fortified château dates from the 15th century; large sections were rebuilt in the 17th century and altered and expanded in the 18th century. While part of the church dates back to the 13th century, the documented construction history of the château spans several later centuries. The site has been listed as a historic monument since 2002.

The château is open to visitors during the summer season. Guided tours provide access to the salons, library, vestibules, dining room, kitchens, chapel and grounds. As visits are seasonal, check visiting hours before your trip.

Calvary cross, Way of St James and washhouse

The Croix du Chemin was erected in 1756 in the hamlet of Le Chemin, on a former Roman road used there by the Way of St James. The Calvary cross marks the first stage of the Via Lemovicensis from Vézelay. For residents of the municipality and the surrounding area, it is a destination for walks; thousands of pilgrims and hikers pass by each year. The cross site is thus associated with both a local tradition of walks and the pilgrimage route.

The Lavoir d’Anthien dates from the mid-19th century and is located on the Way of St James between Vézelay and Corbigny. Its construction period places it in a different era from the church and the Croix du Chemin. Together, the structures offer different points of reference in time, while their respective connections to the Way of St James bring the village’s pilgrimage history to life.

Routes and views

The Voie de Vézelay – Branche Sud par Nevers reaches Anthien at kilometre 25.0. The Circuit du Mont Sabot offers a different point of reference: it starts and ends in Anthien and climbs from there to Mont Sabot. Panoramic views can be enjoyed from the plateau and at Mont Sabot. The two routes therefore emphasize different aspects: the Voie de Vézelay places Anthien on a named pilgrimage route, while the Circuit identifies the village as the starting and finishing point of a hiking route.

If you are planning your trip around the history of pilgrimage, the Croix du Chemin and the lavoir each offer a specific connection to the Way of St James. If you are looking for a hiking route with viewpoints, the Circuit du Mont Sabot describes the route from Anthien to the plateau and onward to Mont Sabot. This makes it possible to consider the historic route connections and the hike according to their respective themes, without treating them as a single route.

Discover more destinations: Tintury, Montigny-Sur-Canne, Fourchambault, Couloutre, Marigny-Sur-Yonne, Montenoison, Alligny-Cosne, Villapourçon

For the broader travel overview: Nièvre.