Etang-Sur-Arroux: Hotels, Trails and Cultural Heritage

Étang-sur-Arroux lies at the confluence of the three valleys of Braconne, Mesvrin and Arroux and is a gateway town to the Morvan Regional Natural Park. River scenery, outdoor activities and individual cultural sites offer various starting points for planning your stay. You can combine walks and picnic spots with historical sights, or choose a route based on mode of transport and difficulty level.

Riverbanks and routes around Étang-sur-Arroux

The banks of the Arroux and Place du Champ de Foire are both suitable for walks and picnics. For a longer outing, the Tour de la butte de La Perrière starts at Place du Champ de Foire. This 6.3-kilometre walking route is of moderate difficulty and passes the remains of the Château de La Perrière and a replica of the Lourdes Grotto.

The cycling routes also vary in length and difficulty. The easy Circuit VTT-FFC Étang-sur-Arroux is 11.3 kilometres long, runs alongside the Arroux and starts in Étang-sur-Arroux. The Circuit Cyclo Étang-sur-Arroux, by contrast, is a difficult 31.5-kilometre cycling route that also runs alongside the Arroux and starts here. This lets you choose between an easy mountain-bike trail and a cycling route described as difficult.

The GTMC mountain-bike route Étang–Luzy–Étang starts in Étang-sur-Arroux and goes to Luzy; the return journey is by bus. Published route information may change. Therefore, check the current route conditions before setting out and, for the GTMC, also check the transport arrangements for the return journey.

Historical sites and crafts

On the banks of the Arroux, near the bridge and the church, stands the Maison du passeur. It was built in 1636. Despite some alterations, the house has retained its 17th-century architecture. This specific building offers a way to consider both its historical age and the changes made to it over time.

The ruins of the Château de La Perrière reveal a square layout with four corner towers. These features suggest that the structure was built around the 13th century. Its form is therefore discernible, while the dating should be understood as an inference rather than a confirmed year.

The Grotte de la Garenne was inaugurated on July 26, 1936, and houses a replica of the Lourdes Grotto. The site also includes a Calvary. At the Musée du Sabot, wooden clogs from around the world are displayed alongside clog-making machines; the museum also features the world’s largest wooden clog. The clogs and machines offer different perspectives on the subject: finished wooden clogs on the one hand, and their manufacture on the other.

Water activities, fishing and nature watching

The Étang-sur-Arroux swimming pool has various areas for water play and swimming for children and adults. As operating details may change, it is advisable to check them before visiting. Fishing is also particularly good in Étang-sur-Arroux because of the abundance of fish.

L’Escargot Voyageur organizes activities open to the public for discovering the environment. These include discovering biodiversity, observing birds and insects, and fishing courses. If you plan to take part in one of these activities, check availability before your trip. The activities mentioned have different focuses: you can concentrate on biodiversity and observation, or consider a fishing course.

Discover more destinations: Gigny-Sur-Saône, Hautefond, Toulon-Sur-Arroux, Tintry, Buxy, Épertully, Uxeau, Bresse-sur-Grosne.

For the regional travel overview: Saône-Et-Loire.