The Église Saint-Martin is fully protected as a historic monument, but Ciez offers other tangible traces of its history. An old Roman road, Gallo-Roman finds near Jussy and a religious tradition in the hamlet of Le Plessis each add a different perspective. Walks around the village centre and the many hamlets offer further ways to explore the commune.
The Église Saint-Martin and its building history
The floor plan of the Église Saint-Martin is in the shape of a Latin cross. The church was built in two phases; its architecture and window sculptures are associated with the 15th and 16th centuries. An order dated 10 June 1926 fully protects it as a historic monument. This building thus brings together details about its floor plan and building history with a precisely dated monument designation.
Historical traces across the commune
An old Roman road connects Entrains-sur-Nohain and Cosne and crosses the commune of Ciez. Near Jussy, Gallo-Roman remains included a bronze bust, Roman coins dating from Nero to Décence, fragments of inscriptions, marble and lead pipes. The road marks a historic route through the area, while the archaeological finds near Jussy are specific objects.
Religious traditions are also part of local history. Pilgrimages to the Chêne à la Vierge in the hamlet of Le Plessis continued until the 1930s. A tradition that has since disappeared tells of pregnant women praying there and lighting a candle. This practice is no longer observed, and the pilgrimages, too, belong to the past.
Village centre, stream and washhouse
The Rio stream runs through the village centre of Ciez before flowing into the Nohain. The village centre is well suited to walks, and exploring the commune’s many hamlets is another option. These offer different ways to explore the area: shorter walks around the village centre or a closer look at the hamlets.
The washhouse in Ciez was built in 1907 behind the present-day church square and is often dry today. It adds another historic feature in the village centre to the architectural history of the Église Saint-Martin. As you walk through Ciez, you will encounter different local landmarks: the stream flowing through the village centre and the washhouse, with its specific construction year and location.
A self-guided treasure hunt on foot
A tourism description updated in 2025 lists “Le mystère du dragon” as a treasure hunt that starts in Ciez and follows a circular route through the village. The description says that it is self-guided and on foot, with participants searching for clues along the way. This activity differs from exploring the building’s history: here, looking for clues is part of the experience, while the church’s floor plan, construction phases and window sculptures are the focus there.
Plan your journey to Ciez
For travel by car, the directions specify the A6 for 70.5 km, followed by the A77 for 97 km, then exit 22 towards Cosne-sur-Loire. For travel by train, they specify Paris-Bercy as the starting point and Cosne-sur-Loire, Nevers or Clermont-Ferrand as the directions; Cosne-sur-Loire is the designated station to get off at. Check the current timetable before travelling. The road directions list motorways, distances and an exit, while the train information gives the starting point, directions and station to get off at.
Discover more destinations: Raveau, Epiry, Maux, Moulins-Engilbert, Dun-Sur-Grandry, Fours, La Collancelle, Guipy
For the regional travel overview: Nièvre.
