The marked “Entre étang et rivière” route passes through the bocage landscape of the southern Morvan and leads to the Moulin Condamné, where the pond and waterwheel are clearly visible beneath a shelter. Thil-Sur-Arroux also offers a shorter route to Mont Dône, other walks, and historic sites. To help you plan, compare route lengths and check the access information for each site.
Bocage Landscape and Trails
Thil-Sur-Arroux lies within the continental ZNIEFF Type II area “L'Arroux d'Autun à Digoin.” The “Entre étang et rivière” route crosses the bocage landscape of the southern Morvan, between ponds and rivers.
The marked circular trail is 7 km long, starts and ends in front of the town hall, and has 320 m of elevation gain. It is rated moderate difficulty. It is designated for horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, and electric mountain biking. Another option is the 3 km variant of the “En montant à Dône” route, which goes via Patigny to Mont Dône. You can choose between a loop with information on elevation gain and difficulty, and a shorter route to a named destination. Check local trail conditions before setting out.
“Merveilles et nature” offers guided walks and nature activities covering 6 to 9 km. They introduce visitors to local heritage, fauna, flora, and rural heritage. There are also 6 to 7 km walks in the surrounding area, aimed at families and friends and focused on local heritage, fauna, and flora. The two “Merveilles et nature” formats differ in both length and focus. Animals are permitted on “Merveilles et nature” activities, and a picnic area is available. These activities are seasonal, so it is advisable to check availability before your trip.
Church and Mill History
The present-day Église Saint-Martin was built from 1857 to 1859 and consecrated in 1860 by Monsignor de Marguerie. Parking for cars is available at the church, which can be reached by car via a departmental road. A picnic table and a sign with information about hiking trails are nearby. This lets you learn about the church’s construction history and get practical trail information in one place.
When planning a visit to the mills, it is important to distinguish between them: the Moulin Condamné is one of the sights, and the “Entre étang et rivière” route leads there. The Moulin de Thil, in the hamlet of Vauqueune, is privately owned and cannot be visited. It is an old seigneurial mill that belonged to the monks of Saint-Martin d'Autun Abbey. In the 10th century, they established a fortified priory in Thil.
The Château de Thil also stands on the site of a fortified priory dating from the 10th century, with its priory church. The former chapel housed a depiction of the Virgin Mary and Child, associated with a healing ritual at a spring dedicated to Saint Martin. Access to the Château is restricted; check whether a visit is possible before you go. It cannot be seen from the road because of the trees in the park.
Discover more destinations: La Roche-Vineuse, Lucenay-L'évêque, Saint-Boil, Gueugnon, Dracy-Lès-Couches, Chassigny-Sous-Dun, Beaubery, Fleurville.
For the broader travel guide: SaĂ´ne-Et-Loire.
