Pannes: Cycling Route, History and Bee Museum

Pannes brings together a cycling route along the Canal d’Orléans and the Scandibérique, architectural history, a bee museum, a Sunday market and opportunities to relax by the canal. If you’re looking for a hotel in Pannes, consider whether cycling, cultural history or the market will shape your stay most. The town’s features offer specific starting points and help you tailor your trip to your interests.

Cycling along the Canal d’Orléans and on the Scandibérique

The cycling route along the Canal d’Orléans passes through Pannes at the Sainte-Catherine lock. Pannes is also on the Scandibérique; here, it forms part of EuroVelo 3. EuroVelo 3 connects Trondheim in Norway with Santiago de Compostela in Spain. These are different points of reference: the lock marks a specific point on the local route, while the EuroVelo reference places it within the wider context between Norway and Spain.

Church and architectural history

The Église Saint-Pierre-ès-Liens was founded by Ferrières Abbey in the 7th century. Its nave was rebuilt after the Hundred Years’ War, up to the beginning of the 16th century, and given a flamboyant Gothic west portal. Its architectural history thus spans an early foundation and a much later rebuilding.

The bee museum in the former railway station

The Maison de la Ruche et des Abeilles du Gâtinais is housed in the former railway station in Pannes. Its collection includes beehives and objects relating to bees, honey and Gâtinais honey. Alongside these objects, the cultural significance of bees is a central theme: the museum explores their role in history, traditions and beliefs. In this way, tangible objects meet cultural and historical themes. The Maison de la Ruche et des Abeilles du Gâtinais is accessible to people with reduced mobility.

Canal and market

In Pannes, walkers and anglers can find peace and opportunities to relax along the Canal d’Orléans. The canal offers a different point of interest from the church and the bee museum: here, the focus is on spending time by the water, walking and fishing.

The Marché de Pannes takes place year-round on Sunday mornings at Place Patton and Rue Marcel Donette; the market has seven vendors. As market hours may change, check the schedule before your visit.

Historic traces and natural heritage

The municipal washhouse was built in 1850 and altered and expanded in 1881. The archaeological site in Pannes included an enclosing wall, six wells, three lime kilns, three temples and bathing facilities. A silver eye-shaped votive offering with a dedicatory inscription, dedicated by the Roman citizen Prisceia Aviola, was also discovered in a pit in Pannes. Between the Bézonde, the Solin and the Limetin, Pannes has a rich and well-preserved natural heritage.

Getting to Pannes

Pannes can be reached by car via the A77, the D 2007 and the D 2060. If travelling by train, go via Montargis station; from there, continue by TAO bus or REMI coach. Check the timetables for your travel date when connecting by bus.

Discover more destinations: Fontenay-Sur-Loing, Baccon, Sury-Aux-Bois, Châtillon-Coligny, Cravant, Moulon, Viglain, Donnery

For the broader travel overview: Loiret.