The best traffic-free bike rides around Vitry-Sur-Loire

The Venice of Morvan!

Here is the route for the ascent of the Col de la Croix de Messire Jean starting from La Tagnière

Nice climb, tough from Mesvres

The lordship of Uchon developed from the 11th century onwards thanks to the lords of Chateauvillain, notably with the construction of the Church of Saint Sebastian in the 12th century (now dedicated to Saint Roch), in which Jean de Chateauvillain placed the relics of Saint Sebastian upon his return from the Crusades. He is also responsible for the Calvary of the Cross of Messire Jean, located at the summit of the mountain and restored in 2021 (funded by the BROC and TRAD UCHON associations). Suffering heavy destruction during the Hundred Years' War, the village began a long decline, accentuated by the fragmentation of the barony of Uchon and the dismantling of the castle in the 16th century. However, at the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries, the site of Uchon experienced significant growth linked to the pilgrimage centered around the relics of Saint Sebastian, invoked to protect against the plague that was raging at the time. Faced with the influx of pilgrims from Autun, the church proved too small to accommodate crowds of up to 5,000 people. It was decided to build an oratory outside the church, housing an altar, to bring the faithful together for celebrations. The pilgrimage continued until the 18th century before disappearing at the turn of the French Revolution. The altar was then replaced by a Calvary, surmounted by a Virgin Mary, in the first half of the 20th century. Since December 9, 1929, the Oratory of Belle-Croix has been listed as a historic monument. The oratory, built on a granite mound like the nave of the neighboring church, is oriented (facing east). Raised in a cantilever on corbels, this monument surprises with its singular silhouette which is not without evoking the unstable balance of the "Pierre-qui-croule" not far from there. In addition, the spire of the oratory, surmounted by a metal cross, gives a beautiful dynamic to the whole. Square in plan, the oratory receives an octagonal base cap resting on squinches. The masonry is made of cut granite blocks, perhaps from the castle which was dismantled at the same time. The masonry details (moldings, chamfers, niches, squinches) demonstrate the care taken in the implementation. Inside, a finely sculpted sandstone Calvary, surmounted by a Virgin and Child, contrasts with the rusticity of the granite. The interior masonry of the oratory does not display any particular decoration apart from a stone running through it, on the west facade, forming a sculpted capital on the interior side and a cross in bas-relief on the exterior, probably a reused stone.

Beautiful, recommended walk. Small problem: the indicated right turn at km 6.44 is a non-accessible private road. Simply continue and turn right at km 7.32 to find the proposed road again after +/- 150 m (uphill).

Pretty village typical of the region with several shops, cafes and restaurants. All that remains are the ramparts and two partially preserved buildings of the Moulins-Engilbert castle which dates from the 10th to the 15th centuries.

While this bridge allows you to cross the Aron River with a beautiful view of the river, when you look up you cannot ignore the statue of Notre-Dame du Nivernais which dominates from its abutment in the center of the city.

In Cercy la Tour the oldest traces of civilizations date back to the Paleolithic era. In Cercy la Tour you will find the Church of Saint-Pierre, built at the end of the 11th century; the 6 meter high statue of Notre-Dame du Nivernais installed in 1958; as well as two castles, the Château de Briffault and the Château de Champlevois.