Bessey-Lès-Cîteaux brings together the landscapes of the Plaine de Cîteaux and a distinctive history of churches and chapels. Between protected woodland and pond landscapes, religious art and a described circular walking route, you will find a range of ways to explore the area on your trip.
Landscapes between the Vouge and the forests
Bessey-Lès-Cîteaux lies in the Plaine de Cîteaux landscape area, between the Vouge and the forests of Cîteaux and Izeure. The plain is characterised by oak forests, straight paths, agricultural clearings or meadows, and damp hollows. The Natura 2000 site “Forêts de Cîteaux et environs” associated with the village covers extensive broadleaf forest, numerous ponds and agricultural landscapes of the Saône plain. Bessey-Lès-Cîteaux is part of the Natura 2000 site and its bird protection area; the identifiers are SIC FR2601013 and ZPS FR2612007.
There are also two specific points of reference for getting around the road network: the local network includes the RD116c between Aubigny and Aiserey. If you come from the direction of Aiserey, you reach Bessey-Lès-Cîteaux via a three-arched bridge over the Vouge. This setting between the river, forest and agricultural plain gives the area its distinctive landscape character.
Saint-Vincent Church and religious art
Saint-Vincent Church is a 19th-century building that replaced an earlier chapel in 1840. The retable has been set into the wall behind the altar since that year: a carved polyptych with seven panels depicting the Passion of Christ. The work, dating from 1430, is attributed to Claus SLUTER; his nephew Claus WERVE completed it. The church’s two bells date from 1492 and 1509. Saint-Vincent thus brings together 19th-century architectural history and much older works of art and bells.
Another connection leads to the Notre-Dame de Lée Chapel: the original statue of the Madonna associated with the chapel is kept at Saint-Vincent. The chapel contains a copy of the Madonna found at this site. It dates from 1565 and was built at the request of Louis de BAISSEY. Notre-Dame de Lée is also associated with a local pilgrimage tradition. Together, the church and chapel tell a story of religious art, different periods of construction and a longstanding pilgrimage tradition.
Château de BAISSEY and other historical features
Construction of the Château de BAISSEY began in 1671. Captain LAVAL completed it in the early 18th century, adding a grand staircase, a slate roof and a park. Some frescoes dating from the Second World War are still visible at the château. If the frescoes are important to your plans, please check in advance whether they are currently on view.
The Maison forte de Bessey-Lès-Cîteaux and the Motte Montjardin also illustrate the different classifications of local heritage: the Maison forte is classified as a modern château, while the motte is classified as the remains of an earthwork. The historical features described here therefore range from château architecture to a site classified as an earthwork.
Hiking the Notre-Dame de Lée circular route
A description published on 8 March 2019 gives the Notre-Dame de Lée circular walking route as 8.4 kilometres long, with 110 metres of elevation gain and a duration of two hours. These details provide a useful basis for planning your time; check the current route and trail markings before setting out.
The same description also mentions a further route of about one kilometre to a car park near Notre-Dame de Lée Chapel. The distance is approximate. If you plan to include this section, check current parking options in advance.
Discover more destinations: Monthelie, Chevigny-Saint-Sauveur, Bure-les-Templiers, Bouilland, Clomot, Sennecey-Lès-Dijon, Agencourt, Premeaux-Prissey.
For the broader travel guide: Cote-Dor.
