Morvan

Walking in France: Morvan
Morvan short walk

This seven-day walk (part of a longer walk that we did in 2006) took us from the gentle Burgundian landscape of Autun to the equally gentle one of Lormes, through the great wild forest of the Morvan.

In former times it was a lot wilder than it is now, but it is still rough terrain, sparsely populated and considered backward by most French people. On the other hand, the local inhabitants are intensely proud of their area and their history.

The first day was through undulating pastoral land and it was only on the second day that we entered the forest. Despite the relative paucity of villages, and the dire predictions of people who had been there before, we had no trouble walking between one village and the next in a morning, and they all had good camping facilities, as well as hotels.

Autun

Walking in France: Porte d’Arroux, Autun
Porte d’Arroux, Autun

Autun has an interesting history – it was built specifically to tempt the local Gaullish population with the attractions of Roman life.

The first contacts between the Romans and the Gaullish tribe of the Aedui had been peaceful enough, with trade and military cooperation, but by the middle of the first century BC things had changed.

Several of the Celtic tribes formed an alliance and, under their young leader Vertingetorix, they fought their final battle with the Romans in 52 BC, and lost. This was the battle of Alésia.

Walking in France: Porte André, Autun
Porte André, Autun

Nevertheless the Aedui continued to occupy their fortress, Bibracte, on the flat-topped Mount Beuvray.

With considerable subtlety, the Romans decided to entice, rather than force, their recalcitrant subjects to abandon this stronghold. A few miles to the east, the town of Autun (originally Augustodunum, after the current emperor Augustus), was set up with all possible elegance and comfort.

Sports and entertainments were held at the amphitheatre, which still stands. Within a couple of decades Bibracte was deserted, as the indigenous people came down to enjoy the amenities.

Getting to Autun

Autun has a railway station so you can get there from almost anywhere in France.

Our route for this walk

Our route for this walk

Day 1: Autun to Sommant

Day 2: Sommant to Anost

Day 3: Anost to Moux-en-Morvan

Day 4: Moux-en-Morvan to Lac des Settons

Day 5: Lac des Settons to Ouroux-en-Morvan

Day 6: Ouroux-en-Morvan to Brassy

Day 7: Brassy to Lormes

This map shows accommodation icons for each night. Zoom in on a particular icon to see its precise location.

You can also see this map using Google Earth and take a virtual flight along our route.

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