Tancon brings together a signposted circular walking trail and architectural and landscape history. The “A la rencontre de la nature” route starts and ends in Tancon (Le Bourg); the village church, Étang de Bouvier and historical traces near Les Landières and the Château de Vertpré are also worth exploring. This gives you a choice between a walking-focused visit and several historical themes associated with different periods.

Walking Trail and Landscape

The “A la rencontre de la nature” circular walking trail starts and ends in Tancon (Le Bourg), making the village both the starting point and the return point. The route is signposted and rated moderate. The signs help you find your way, while the difficulty rating gives you an indication of how challenging the route is and can help you plan your day. Check local trail conditions before setting out.

Étang de Bouvier, also known as Borvi, covers more than 15 hectares. A path that is still open to walkers runs across its 340-metre-long dam. If you come across the name Borvi, it refers to the same Étang. The area figure refers to the body of water, and the length figure to the path across the dam. Check local trail conditions before walking.

Church, Château and Early Traces

Tancon’s present-day church was rebuilt in 1852, replacing a Romanesque chapel that had become too small for the growing Christian community. The new building has three naves and is designed in the style of the 13th century. The construction date and style therefore belong to different periods: 1852 marks the rebuilding, while the design draws on an earlier era. The three naves describe the layout of the church; the reference to its style places its design in a historical context. In summer, the church is adorned with flowers; the seasonal decorations may vary.

The Château de Vertpré was demolished during the French Revolution in 1789. The tower can still be seen from the stretch of the RD 383 between Chauffailles and Charlieu. The château stood at the bottom of the valley and was protected by large expanses of water fed by the River Aaron, as well as deep, flooded moats. These expanses of water and moats formed part of the château’s former defences; the tower that remains visible today is a separate architectural trace of the site’s history.

A prehistoric site is located near the River Aaron at Les Landières, where numerous roughly worked flints have been found. This site adds an archaeological point of reference to the architectural history. The historical perspective thus ranges from prehistoric finds to the later building histories of the church and château.

Discover more destinations: Montchanin, Mazille, Crêches-Sur-Saône, Maltat, Saint-Martin-En-Bresse, Boyer, Lucenay-L'évêque, Sarry

For the regional travel overview: Saône-Et-Loire.