Surroundings

"Be surprised by the authentic landscape between Morvan and Loire."

Back in time

When you wake up, you can see the sun rising from your balcony over the hills of the Morvan, with the castle on your right, the forest on your left and a wide valley in front of you through which the river Beuvron meanders and narrow roads connect the few hamlets. You listen to the buzzing of insects, chirping of birds, the rattle of a farmer's cart. Yes, then you imagine yourself a century or so back in time.

Village on the rocky plateau

The village of Champallement with 50 inhabitants is located in the southwest of Burgundy, a sparsely populated authentic walking and cycling area between the Morvan nature reserve and the wine region along the Loire. From afar you can see the village on the rocky plateau. On the picturesque village square we play pétanque, take yoga classes, celebrate Quatorze Juillet with a dinner dance and you will find here the flea market and the annual music performance of the Amsterdam Bach Ensemble.

Hidden gem

The region between Morvan and Loire is unknown to tourists and was already called 'the hidden gem of Burgundy' a century ago. Here you will find 'nothingness' and 'not having to do anything anymore'. A surprisingly beautiful hilly landscape with many views. A tranquil farmland with picturesque medieval villages, castles, rivers and a beautiful canal. Due to the little traffic, it is ideal for cyclists and walkers. From Villa Champallement you walk on old agricultural paths, forest paths, you cycle on small narrow c-roads, in all directions. On an electric bike, you can enjoy this authentic landscape by bike until old age.

We have various walking and cycling routes.

Three walks around Champallement

1. Circuit de Compierre; Beautiful walk below Champallement with a good view of the village on the rock to the Gallo-Roman excavation of Compierre in the woods
2. Circuit de Thory; At the top of Champallement, you walk along agricultural paths past wildflower fields with a view of the top of the Montenoison to the hamlet of Thory where an old washhouse is hidden in the bushes.
3. Circuit de Brinon-sur-Beuvron; Beautiful walk along and through the most beautiful valley in the vicinity with yellow rapeseed fields in the spring.

Two bike rides around Champallement

1. The quaint village of Arthel; "Un des plus beaux villages de la France" with two castles that can be visited on request and a little further on the artists' hamlet of Soffin.
2. Along the Canal-du-Nivernais; A shaded cycle path along the most beautiful canal in France with many coloured locks. Some lock keeper's houses are used as P'tit Resto where you can eat a simple meal. La Coulée Douce in Marigny-sur-Yonne, for example, organizes several dinners by the water with live jazz music during the summer months.                     

A road trip through the Morvan

Choose one of our car routes through this beautiful natural mountain range. For example, go to the top of Mont Beuvray (900 meters), swim in the lac de Pannecieres, hike at Lormes or visit the town of Avalon.

Castle: Chateau de Bazoches

One of the many castles is this castle from 1180 and former home of Vauban, one of the most famous master builders in France. You can partially visit the castle.

Boat trip: cruising through the Voûtes de la Collancelle

In Bazolles, you can rent an electric boat to visit the high vaults of la Collancelle, carved in granite. You can also walk through it and take a dip in the lakes of Vaux and Baye-Bazolles afterwards.

Two authentic medieval towns

1. Pilgrimage town of Vézelay; The Sainte-Madeleine basilica towers over this pilgrim town with preserved parts of the old city wall and a cloister. A picturesque street with quaint shops and restaurants leads to the historic square in front of this immense basilica.
2. Former episcopal city of Clamecy; There are many medieval half-timbered houses still intact. Stroll along the banks of the Yonne and the Canal-du-Nivernais. In the center of the city is the birthplace of the 1915 Nobel Prize winner for literature Romain Rolland.