The Natouze once powered around ten mills in Boyer, where grain was processed and walnut oil pressed. Some old mills can still be seen along a circular trail. Other highlights include the Romanesque and Neoclassical elements of Saint-Victor-Saint-Loup Church, four surviving washhouses and panoramic views from La Garenne. Boyer can thus be explored through different traces of its past: work once carried out by the water, architectural history and landscape.
Mills and Washhouses
The “Au fil des moulins et panorama de la Garenne” circular trail runs through Boyer. A few old mills can still be seen along the way. The approximate figure of ten refers to the Natouze’s former use: the river once powered these mills. Processing grain and pressing walnut oil were two of their functions. The history of the mills therefore encompasses both specific work processes and the old mills still visible today.
Washhouses are also an important part of the village’s architectural heritage. Four spring-fed washhouses have survived in Boyer. The washhouse at the Saint-Loup spring, “lavoir dit de la fontaine Saint-Loup,” has a rectangular basin made of dressed stone blocks. Pymont washhouse offers a different feature: it was built in the mid-19th century. Sculptures of laundry beaters adorn both gable ends; this design is considered an original and unique work. The comparison is between the basin shape and dressed stone blocks at the Saint-Loup washhouse and the sculpted gable details at Pymont.
Church and Manor Houses
Today’s Saint-Victor-Saint-Loup Church combines Romanesque and Neoclassical architectural elements. It was rebuilt between 1790 and 1792. During the rebuilding, a bay that had previously formed the choir of the earlier Romanesque church was incorporated into the porch of the new church. The building thus brings together elements from different periods: the Romanesque origins of the incorporated bay and the architecture of the later rebuilt church.
The historic building stock also includes at least eight castles and manor houses built in the village since the 15th century. They are privately owned and not open to the public. If you are interested in these buildings, do not plan a public interior visit. Their history is part of Boyer’s character, but their access restrictions are equally important when planning a visit.
SaĂ´ne Riverbanks, Hills and Panoramic Views
The SaĂ´ne riverbanks in Boyer are protected under the Natura 2000 charter. The hills are home to stony limestone grasslands with vegetation typical of Burgundy. These two landscape features offer contrasting impressions: the protected riverbanks and the dry, limestone-rich slopes.
From La Garenne, the panoramic view takes in the SaĂ´ne, the villages of Mancey, Vers, Jugy and Sennecey, and Chalon-sur-SaĂ´ne in the distance. Tournus and the SaĂ´ne lie below. On a clear day, you can also see the Bresse, the Jura and Mont Blanc. The clear-weather qualification is important: these more distant views depend on good visibility.
Planning Your Stay in Boyer
For your planning, you can start by choosing between architectural and mill history and the landscape. The circular trail is associated with the mills; the church and washhouses showcase different architectural forms and periods; and La Garenne offers the panoramic views described above. Castles and manor houses come with a clear restriction: they are not open to the public. This lets you choose Boyer based on its specific attractions without planning to visit private buildings as public sites.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Loup-Géanges, La Petite-Verrière, Saunières, Simandre, Anost, Mancey, Bosjean, La Vineuse.
For the broader travel overview: SaĂ´ne-Et-Loire.
