Maconge brings together two distinct themes: the furnishings of the parish church of Sainte-Anne and the history of water engineering along the Canal de Bourgogne. While the coat of arms and altar relief reveal specific details of the church, the rigoles, harbour basin and hydroelectric plant give the village its technical character. A walking route also takes in both themes: it follows the canal to Port d’Escommes and continues to Maconge.
Sainte-Anne Church: Construction and Furnishings
The parish church of Sainte-Anne dates from the late 15th or early 16th century; it was formerly called Saint-Gengoux. On the rear wall of the choir is a carved coat of arms bearing the arms of Richard de La Palud and Philiberte de Rye. The two coats of arms provide a specific example of the church’s heraldic furnishings.
The Last Supper is depicted in relief on the front of the high altar. The church thus features different images side by side: the coat of arms in the choir and the biblical scene on the altar. Its construction date, former name and furnishings offer several points of reference for understanding Sainte-Anne.
Rigoles and Canal Engineering near Escommes
At the Escommes basin, water from the Chazilly reservoir reaches the canal through a 7.6-kilometre feeder channel. The Rigole de Beaume crosses Maconge; the section running through the village was restored in 1893. The Rigole de Chazilly also runs through Maconge and then feeds the canal at the summit level on the right bank of the Escommes basin.
Port d’Escommes has a rectangular basin. A barge with a winch system has been preserved there. The system was used to reduce the draught of barges and make it easier for them to pass through the tunnel with the tugboat. The port is also described as a marina offering services for water sports enthusiasts.
The hydroelectric plant on the Canal de Bourgogne is also part of this technical theme. It was built in 1893 to supply electricity for the towing system established by François-Marie Galliot. The gable bears the year of construction and a carved bas-relief depicting a dynamo. Together with the rigoles and basin, the plant makes the various aspects of water management and canal operation a central theme in the local history of technology.
On Foot between the Canal and Maconge
The “Par rigoles et Canal de Bourgogne” walking route is 18.85 kilometres long and rated moderate. Its average duration is 5 hours and 35 minutes. It follows the canal to Port d’Escommes and then continues to Maconge. Along the route, the church is listed as point 15 at kilometre 17.42.
With an average walking time of more than five hours, this route is a substantial time commitment, not a short detour. The route links the canal section with the port and village; the church appears as a marked point towards the end of the stated distance. If you plan this walk, check the route conditions in advance, as they may change. For planning your time, it is also helpful to treat the stated duration as an average.
The options therefore differ mainly in the time involved and the subject matter: the church offers individual art-historical details, while the rigoles, harbour basin and hydroelectric plant draw attention to canal engineering. The walk brings both together in a longer route. Which of these perspectives you focus on can shape Maconge as a cultural or walking destination for your stay.
Discover more destinations: Beurizot, Créancey, Chaugey, Marey-Lès-Fussey, Baubigny, Vianges, Poncey-Sur-L'ignon, Velars-sur-Ouche.
For the regional travel overview: Cote-Dor.
