Pasques combines a distinctive landscape feature with walking trails and traces of the village’s history. If you’re looking for a holiday rental in Pasques, this mix can help you decide which experiences will shape your stay: a shorter or longer hike, a glimpse of local wildlife or cultural discoveries. The differences are particularly noticeable in trail length, scenery and the historical dating of the archaeological sites.
Hiking with two different profiles
The Traversée des 5 vallées is 17.5 kilometres long and starts near the Lavoir de Pasques. It follows open limestone trails and shaded woodland sections, and also offers panoramic views over the Ouche Valley. The route brings together a variety of landscapes over a longer distance.
The Circuit de Pasques has a different focus: rated easy, the route is 7.3 kilometres long and includes 277 metres of ascent. It follows broad agricultural tracks through open countryside. It starts at the village shop, where there is good parking. You may occasionally have the chance to spot wildlife, and you can also see hedgerow laying (plessage) along the circuit. When planning your walk, you can take the starting point and parking options into account together.
Comparing the routes can help you choose: the Circuit is much shorter and rated easy, while the Traversée covers 17.5 kilometres. The landscapes also differ: broad agricultural tracks and open areas on the Circuit, and limestone trails, woodland sections and views over the Ouche Valley on the Traversée.
Nature and cycling
A notable natural feature is the Abîme du Creux percé, a collapse doline around 60 metres deep. During the winter count of 2024–2025, a colony of more than 800 Brandt’s bats (Myotis brandtii) was recorded there. Its depth gives the landform a tangible sense of scale, while the count adds a specific observation of wildlife from one particular winter.
A Natura 2000 description dated 2 February 2025 also mentions a cave between Prenois and Pasques that overlooks the forest and attracts many walkers.
For cyclists, the Ecole des cols 21 cycling route is another point of interest: there are drinking water points on the peaks of Pasques and Urcy. So, alongside information about the walking routes, there is also a practical detail to help you plan a cycling trip.
Village history and archaeological traces
Below the village, beside a pond lined with watering troughs, stands a washhouse built in the 19th century. Its location brings together the historic building and two specific features of its surroundings: the pond and the troughs.
Two archaeological sites also offer a glimpse into different periods. Bas du Fourneau dates from the 11th to 12th centuries; Lisière de Citeau is believed to date from the 1st to 3rd centuries. These dates are far apart, and the origin of Lisière de Citeau is presented with due caution.
Pasques is also home to two well-preserved 18th-century processional staffs. They depict Saint Léger and Saint Eloi of Pasques. The staffs date from after the archaeological periods and before the 19th-century washhouse, allowing visitors to view different layers of the village’s history side by side.
Discover more destinations: Laignes, Santenay, Châtillon-Sur-Seine, Volnay, Dijon, Plombières-lès-Dijon, Losne, Corgengoux
For the broader travel guide: Cote-Dor.
