Ménétreux-le-Pitois can be explored through specific historical and landscape landmarks: the Église Saint-Valentin de Griselles, the Château de Ménétreux, the Fontaine du Pape and the Oze. The church and château reveal different markers in time: the church is traditionally dated to 888, while the oldest document relating to the château dates from 1578. Building alterations, a bell and former uses add to these insights. Two named walks also provide specific access and starting points for planning.
Oze and Mont Réa
The Oze forms a natural boundary between the municipalities of Ménétreux-le-Pitois and Venarey-les-Laumes. It also runs along the foot of Mont Réa in the landscape around Ménétreux-le-Pitois. This gives two distinct geographical points of reference: the municipal boundary and the river’s location at the foot of Mont Réa. Those choosing where to stay with the landscape in mind as well as architectural history can consider these details as a separate focus.
The church: dating and alterations
The Église Saint-Valentin de Griselles is traditionally dated to the year 888. In 1788, the choir was rebuilt and two side chapels were added; the nave remained unchanged. Thus, renovated and added sections contrast with an unaltered part of the church. This distinction makes the building’s history specific: the work affected the choir and side chapels, not the nave. The bell marks a later point in time. It is called Renée-Virginie and was consecrated in 1913. Its consecration therefore took place after the building work of 1788.
Château: towers with their own history
The oldest document relating to the Château de Ménétreux dates from 1578. The château includes a surviving tower called «Tour Grise». A square tower was converted into a fortified dovecote. These architectural details add a specific account of the building’s history to the early date: alongside the name of a surviving tower is the conversion of another tower. The change of function to a fortified dovecote draws attention not only to its form but also to how part of the building was used.
Fontaine du Pape and former uses
The Fontaine du Pape reveals another aspect of the town’s history. Before 1914, it served as a public washhouse. Below the fountain are basins that were used to roast hemp. This brings two distinct uses together in one place: public washing and the processing of hemp in the basins below. The fountain thus offers a specific link to everyday life and craft history in the past, complementing the architectural history of the church and château.
Walking and access
For the walk «Entre Ménétreux et Venarey-Les-Laumes», Gare de Les Laumes-Alésia railway station is an access point. For the walk «Autour de Ménétreux-le-Pitois», you can park on the edge of the D119a in the hamlet of Ménétreux-le-Bas; the route then leads near the village church. The access points therefore differ in specific terms: one walk names the railway station, while the other has a starting point by the roadside. As route conditions can change, check them before setting out. This will help you decide which of the two access points suits your plans.
Discover more destinations: Fontaine-Française, Vielverge, Ternant, Val-Suzon, Boncourt-le-Bois, Montagny-Lès-Beaune, Chassagne-Montrachet, Gevrey-Chambertin.
Go to the main travel overview: Cote-Dor.
