Discover Plottes: Hiking and Village History

Plottes lies in a green, hilly landscape in southern Burgundy. Hiking, nature and rural heritage are the main considerations when planning a trip. Several named trails offer a choice of distances, while vineyards, forests and limestone grasslands are also part of the landscape. In the village, old winegrowers’ houses, cadoles and the former castle site tell different stories of local architectural history. Plottes can therefore be explored both by choosing a trail and by discovering its distinctive landscape and buildings.

Compare hiking trails by distance

The marked hiking trail Sur les crêtes de Plottes starts and ends at Place du Pâquier (Pressoir). There are also four named discovery trails: the Sentier des crêtes at 6 km, the Petit sentier at 1.5 km, the Sentier du bois at 8.5 km and the Sentier des vignes at 4 km. The marked trail therefore starts and ends at the same place; the four trails can be compared individually by length.

The four discovery trails range from 1.5 to 8.5 km. The Petit sentier is the shortest and the Sentier du bois the longest; the other two trails fall between them at 4 and 6 km. These distances provide a concrete basis for planning your walk. Check trail information locally before setting out.

Landscape, nature and views

The four discovery trails let visitors experience vineyards, forests, limestone grasslands and Plottes’ architectural heritage. One distinctive natural feature is the Crâ limestone grassland, which is home to a diverse range of wildlife and plant life, including orchids in spring.

Le bois de Plottes offers a more detailed picture of the landscape. The route passes through woodland, opens out onto the vineyard slopes and offers views of the Saône plain and the Bresse. The succession of woodland and open country shapes the character of this route. The geographical setting of the village also reflects its connection to the Saône: Plottes lies in the valley of the Dolive, a tiny tributary of the Saône.

Architectural heritage and regional history

The former château-fort, known as the château des moines, was attached to the church and belonged to Tournus Abbey. The connection between the site, the church and the abbey gives this historic building a distinct place in the village’s history. Rural landmarks reveal another side of the heritage: Plottes has numerous cadoles, including three that have been restored, and the old winegrowers’ houses are part of the village’s architecture.

Hikers on Le bois de Plottes may also come across remains of old quarries. Stone from these quarries was used to build houses in the Tournugeois region. Alongside the landscape, the route therefore offers a glimpse of how stone was once used in the region. The cadoles, winegrowers’ houses and quarry remains each offer a different way to appreciate Plottes’ rural heritage.

Discover other destinations: Remigny, Saint-Émiland, Prissé, Lacrost, Maltat, La Petite-Verrière, Saint-Léger-Lès-Paray, Saint-Ythaire.

See the broader travel guide: Saône-Et-Loire.