Mazille – History and Walking Trails

Mazille offers several highlights for your stay: the history of Saint-Blaise and the Doyenné des Moines, the architecture of the Carmel de la Paix, and green hills and walking trails through meadows and forests. When looking for a hotel, it helps to first consider whether you want to focus on sightseeing, a hike, or both. Visiting conditions vary and may affect your plans.

Hills, Forest and the Fontaine Cébée

Green hills are as much a part of Mazille as walking trails through meadows and forests. The “Balade en forêt des Trois Monts” starts in the centre of Mazille and leads into the Trois Monts forest. This forest provides a protected habitat for game, wild boar and deer. The route passes the Fontaine Cébée and its spring in the forest; the spring supplied the village with drinking water for a long time. The walk therefore takes you through both woodland scenery and a place that once served as a source of water.

Saint-Blaise: Romanesque Church and Links to Cluny

Saint-Blaise is a Romanesque church dating from the early 12th century and belonged to the Abbey of Cluny. It was probably built by the master builders of Abbot Hugues de Cluny. The dating of the church and the attribution of its builders are not equally certain: its architectural style and period are established, while the involvement of these builders remains a supposition. The remains of a Roman villa are located near the church. The cemetery around Saint-Blaise is home to the gravestone of Michel Bouillot (1929–2007).

During restoration work in 2016, the church was drained. The work also improved access by reopening an old door at the level of the choir, south of the bell tower. Saint-Blaise can be visited outside religious service times. As access arrangements may change around services, please check locally.

Doyenné des Moines: Chapel and Seasonal Visits

The Doyenné des Moines stands on a rocky outcrop above the village centre and includes, among other things, a 13th-century chapel. It was formerly dependent on the Benedictines of the Abbey of Cluny. The Doyenné is privately owned and can be visited from 10 July to 10 September, daily except Wednesdays, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.; visits are also possible during the Journées du Patrimoine. Groups can visit in spring and summer by prior arrangement. Check the current opening arrangements before travelling.

Carmel de la Paix: Architecture and Community

The Carmel de la Paix was built in the 1970s by Spanish architect Jean-Louis Sert, a student of Le Corbusier. It has been awarded the “Patrimoine du XXe siècle” designation. Visitors can share in part of the Carmelite nuns’ life, prayer and work; participation is organised by the community. If you are considering this experience, contact the Carmel before your trip.

Local Food and Planning Your Stay

La Belle Étoile is in the centre of Mazille and serves convivial cuisine inspired by mountain flavours. As the offerings and opening hours may change, check them before your visit. When planning, it is also worth keeping the different visiting arrangements in mind: Saint-Blaise can be visited outside service times, visits to the Doyenné by groups require prior arrangement, and participation in life at the Carmel is organised with the community.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Sailly, Toutenant, Montmelard, Saint-Martin-La-Patrouille, Grury, Louhans, Saint-Émiland, Huilly-Sur-Seille

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