Entrains-Sur-Nohain: Antiquity and Local History

Entrains-Sur-Nohain brings together archaeological evidence, historic buildings and walking routes with different themes. If you are looking for a hotel in Entrains-Sur-Nohain, these themes give you a clear idea of what makes the town’s history distinctive. Its historical traces range from the ancient settlement of Intaranum to buildings dating from the 13th and 17th centuries.

Archaeology and Intaranum

The Maison des Fouilles d’Entrains-sur-Nohain has been at its current location since 1971. It serves as an exhibition venue and repository for archaeological finds from Entrains and the surrounding area. This makes it a reference point for the history of local finds, while its collections document the ancient settlement of Intaranum.

The Maison includes a permanent exhibition, complemented each summer by a newly presented temporary exhibition on a special topic in the archaeology of Entrains. A permanent exhibition area and a seasonal focus therefore sit side by side. The themes of the summer exhibition may vary from year to year.

Intaranum flourished from the 1st century BC to the 4th century AD. During the Roman period, the settlement covered about 80 hectares; the necropolises are not included in this figure. The number therefore describes the extent of the settlement excluding burial grounds and should not be taken as the total area of all associated sites.

The location also helps place it in historical context: ancient Intaranum stood on a slight rise at an elevation of 225 metres above the confluence of the Nohain and Trélon rivers. The settlement’s area and its setting in the landscape are two distinct aspects of local history—the scale of the ancient site and its location at the rivers’ confluence.

Architectural history across the centuries

The choir of the Église Saint-Sulpice dates from the 13th century. Another historical landmark is the Maison de l’Amiral, built in 1636 for Roger II de Saint-Lary (1562–1646), Duke of Bellegarde. These two dates point to different periods of construction, without conflating the Roman history of Intaranum with the town’s later history.

The town’s span of history can thus be seen through clearly dated examples: Intaranum flourished in antiquity, the choir dates from the 13th century, and the Maison de l’Amiral was built in 1636. If you are particularly interested in local history, you can explore both archaeological evidence and buildings from later centuries.

Walking routes with different themes

The “À la découverte d’Entrains-sur-Nohain” walking route is 2.5 kilometres long, takes about 1.5 hours and is classified as easy. Its distance, approximate duration and difficulty rating give you practical information for planning. Check the latest route details before setting out, as information may change.

The Circuit du manège à eau has a different focus: it passes about a dozen washhouses and includes a fishing stop at the pond. If you want to choose between the routes by theme, the first offers a stated distance and approximate duration, while the second takes in a series of washhouses and a fishing stop. You can base your choice on the details and attractions that matter most to you during your stay.

If you would like to fish at the pond, check the applicable conditions and permits in advance.

Discover more destinations: Ruages, Planchez, Menou, Saint-Pierre-Le-Moûtier, Varennes-Lès-Narcy, Chaumard, Pouques-Lormes, Toury-sur-Jour.

For the broader travel overview: Nièvre.