25 July 2025
The Morvan Regional Natural Park
The Morvan Regional Natural Park is not a theme park. It is best discovered on foot, at the pace of the wind, in the light of a misty morning, or in the tangy taste of cheese matured in a damp cellar.
Cover photo: Château de Chastellux, Morvan, Burgundy © Shutterstock / clemMtravel
On the edge of Burgundy, between the valleys of the Yonne and the banks of the Loire, lies a compact, unspoilt land that seems untouched by time. The Morvan Regional Nature Park, a granite massif modest in height but immense in richness, is a land of forests, white water, silence and memory. Classified as a Regional Nature Park since 1970, it embodies a rare balance of powerful nature, living heritage, deep-rooted culture and discreet spirituality. Here, the seasons do not simply pass: they shape the land.
A wooded area designed for walking
The heart of the Morvan beats in its forests. Dense, ancient, and deep, they blanket the gentle slopes of the massif. The great woods of Anost, Montsauche-les-Settons, and Saint-Brisson offer refuge to walkers, dreamers, and families looking for fresh air. Here, there are no cliffs or dizzying peaks, only soft horizons, the scent of moss and resin, and clearings where the silence is broken only by the cries of jays and the footsteps of deer.
Numerous trails criss-cross these landscapes, from the legendary GR®13, which runs north to south across the massif, to local loops where every turn reveals a hidden chapel, a forgotten spring, or an ancient cross standing by the path. One of the most breathtaking views is from the Croix de Montjoie, which overlooks the Yonne valley in majestic silence.
Living lakes and contrasting landscapes
The Morvan Regional Natural Park is also a land of water, born from rock and sculpted by man. Five large lakes dot the landscape, each with its own unique character.
At the heart of the park, Lake Settons is the hub for water sports. Surrounded by pine trees, it draws swimmers, hikers, families, and cyclists. A 15-kilometre trail circles its shores. Not far away, Lake Pannecière offers a wilder, almost austere atmosphere, where mist lingers late over calm waters favoured by fishermen. More accessible, Lake Saint-Agnan charms visitors with its gentle waters and supervised beach. Further south, Chaumeçon is a playground for canoeists and whitewater enthusiasts. Finally, the discreet and peaceful Lake Crescent is a haven for those seeking tranquillity, far from the sound of human voices.
A living heritage, a deep-rooted memory
The soul of the Morvan also lives in its architecture, its places of worship, and its stone houses. The village of Vézelay, perched on a hilltop, is its spiritual heart. The Basilica of Saint Mary Magdalene, a masterpiece of Romanesque art, has drawn pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela for centuries. From its terrace, it seems to watch over the entire massif.
Not far from there, hidden deep in the forest, the Pierre-qui-Vire Abbey offers a haven of silence and Benedictine spirituality. The monks produce a renowned cheese here, but above all they preserve a rare sense of peace. Other, more discreet churches punctuate the landscape: in Dun-les-Places and Quarré-les-Tombes, where Merovingian sarcophagi lined up in the grass recall the permanence of the sacred.
The castles of the Morvan also have stories to tell. The Castle of Bazoches, once the residence of Vauban, reveals the ingenuity of Louis XIV’s great military architect. Chastellux, inhabited by the same family for centuries, impresses with its remarkable state of preservation. Montjalin, meanwhile, surprises visitors with its astonishing museum of state cars.
Granite villages and flavours of the terroir
The Morvan Regional Natural Park needs no embellishment. Its villages, Anost, Moux, Ouroux, and Larochemillay—are built of granite, with dark roofs, small squares, and the scent of woodsmoke. At the inn, they serve tender Charolais beef, farm-raised trout, honey from the hills, hand-picked blueberries, and cheeses matured in the abbey or in local cellars. Nothing spectacular, just authentic flavours.
In Saint-Père-sous-Vézelay, the Gothic church rises strikingly in the middle of the countryside. The market bustles with local producers who know all there is to know about time, the land, and patience.
A park to understand, learn, and share
The Morvan Regional Natural Park doesn’t just preserve nature, it explains it. In Saint-Brisson, the Maison du Parc and its arboretum introduce visitors to local biodiversity. On Mont Beuvray, the site of Bibracte, ancient Celtic capital of the Aedui tribe, offers a unique archaeological experience. Here, you can walk in the footsteps of vanished peoples while taking in breathtaking views. At the foot of the mountain, the Museum of Celtic Civilisation puts this long-buried past into perspective. A little further down, the Morvan Ecomuseum in Saint-Léger-sous-Beuvray preserves the skills, forgotten techniques, and rural memories of this harsh but close-knit region.
The Morvan is vibrant, yet fragile. Its paths, forests, lakes, and villages deserve respect and care. Stay on the marked trails, leave no trace, and take nothing with you. The Morvan welcomes you—live up to its silent hospitality.
To discover other authentic regions, explore our website and let yourself be tempted by our gift shop, which is dedicated to the expertise of our regions. For more inspiration, subscribe to our newsletter. And if you’re drawn to the Morvan, join our loyalty programme: every Teritoria experience and every encounter can be rewarded.
By Émilie FALLOT NGUYEN
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