Discover Montcenis: History, Architecture and Culture

Montcenis brings together medieval architecture, religious heritage and a route for a longer outdoor excursion. If you are planning a stay, you can choose from these highlights: the historic buildings tell stories of administration and defence, the church and museum explore different aspects of cultural heritage, and the Village et Campagne trail offers an activity with a predictable duration.

Historic buildings tell stories of defence and administration

The Vieux Château was a fortress built by the Dukes of Burgundy in the 13th century to defend the Bailliage. The castle connects local history with a specific function: it served to defend the Bailliage.

Today’s town hall is housed in the former ducal Bailliage building, which is documented as far back as the 13th century. The ground floor once held a prison; the upper floor contained a courtroom and other rooms, including an archive room. The building’s former layout offers insight into the various functions it housed.

The Église Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption has its own architectural history. It was rebuilt in 1679 on the site of an older church dating from the 14th and 15th centuries. After the bell tower collapsed in 1699, repairs were completed in 1703. The church is built from local red stone and is considered a notable example of classical architecture in the Saône-et-Loire département. Its baptistery houses an exceptional collection of polychrome wooden statues. The ensemble “Le Concile de Nicée, statuettes” has been classified as an object since 1 September 1978.

Liturgical heritage and local history

The Musée liturgique Saint-Joseph is housed in the chapel of the former hospital, which was run by the Sisters of Saint Vincent de Paul. It presents Montcenis’s liturgical heritage, offering a different focus from the architectural history of the church, château and town hall.

The history of the Hôpital-Hospice also stretches back a long way: in the 16th century, it began as a modest charitable institution run by two devout women. In 1737, Louis XV authorised the founding of a hospice in Montcenis by three generous benefactors through a royal letters patent.

Industry is another focus of local history. The idea for the Fonderie Royale originated in Montcenis in 1782; the Manufacture des Cristaux de la Reine was established there in the same year. Also in 1782, Delachaize supplied coal to the Royal Cannon Foundry for the production of “fonte au coke”. The year therefore connects several distinct aspects of local industrial history.

A tradition and a trail as further highlights

The annual Course à la bourrique takes place during the patronal festival over the Whitsun weekend. The event features decorated donkeys and young jockeys in costume. Dates and programme vary; if you would like to include the festival in your travel plans, check the specific dates.

The Village et Campagne trail is 7.4 kilometres long, rated moderate and takes about two hours. Along the way, you can see the ruins of the Vieux Château des Ducs de Bourgogne; the trail also offers panoramic views. The starting point is at the Salle des Ursulines. For navigation, the route description published in 2022 specifies yellow markings and the code MON. Before setting off, check the trail conditions and access arrangements at the starting point.

This gives you two different ways to spend your time during your stay: exploring the buildings, collections and historical topics, and taking a walk planned to last around two hours. If you are looking for a hotel in Montcenis, you can make your choice with these plans in mind: would you prefer to focus on local history and heritage, or also set aside time for the trail?

Discover more destinations: Bourgvilain, Saint-Jean-De-Vaux, Frontenaud, Beaumont-sur-Grosne, Buxy, La Roche-Vineuse, Saint-Rémy, Sagy.

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