Forests, vineyards and bocage countryside define Besson. Those looking to combine culture and landscapes on a single trip will find several hiking trails here for discovering the local heritage. This connection is especially clear on the PR 3 circular trail, Circuit des vignes et châteaux: it winds through vineyards and gives hikers a view of Château de Fourchaud.
Hiking trails through vineyards and heritage sites
The PR 3 is listed as 16.4 kilometres long, with a duration of four hours and an elevation gain of 151 metres. These details help you factor the time and distance into your day’s plans. The vineyards along the route are used to produce Saint-Pourçain wine, which has had a controlled designation of origin since 2009. The hike brings together landscapes and winemaking without focusing exclusively on either.
Château de Fourchaud can also be viewed in connection with two different routes: hikers can see the château from the PR 3. The Via-Allier cycling route, stage 04 from Moulins to Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule, passes by it near Besson. Check the route conditions and signage for the Via-Allier stage before setting off.
Church and château: Besson’s architectural landmarks
The Église Saint-Martin dates from the 12th century. Its four-bay nave, side aisles and non-projecting transept are part of its architecture, as are the semicircular apse and semicircular apsidioles. Other features include capitals, sculptures and stained-glass windows. Among the listed statues are a depiction of Saint Sebastian from the 15th century and one of Saint Roch from the 17th century.
The church can be visited without a guide. An information leaflet in French or Dutch is available for the visit; check the visiting arrangements again before your trip. At Château de Fourchaud, the original entrance gate in the western defensive wall has been preserved; it was protected by a drawbridge. Together with the church’s architecture, it offers another perspective on Besson’s heritage: the layout of a place of worship on one hand, and a detail of the fortifications on the other.
Wine from Besson and visits by reservation
Domaine Gardien was founded in 1924. With more than 20 hectares of vineyards, it produces white, red and rosé wines, as well as wines made using the traditional method; the product range may change. Guided vineyard tours and wine tastings are available by reservation. Confirm the arrangements in advance if you plan to include this in your itinerary.
Explore the vineyard landscape in different ways: on foot along the PR 3, described as a four-hour hike, or by bike on the 24.9-kilometre Balade au milieu des vignes et des châteaux loop. This cycling route is recommended for cyclists and e-bike users. It uses roads shared with motor vehicles—a key difference to consider when choosing between a hike and a cycling trip.
The Via-Allier stage is another cycling option, but it is not a loop: it runs from Moulins to Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule and passes Château de Fourchaud near Besson. This offers a different route connection to the château from the one on the PR 3. Specific details on distance, duration and elevation gain are provided for the PR 3 hiking trail; for the cycling loop, the focus here is on its length, loop format and shared roads.
For your trip, there is a clear choice: the PR 3 combines vineyards, a stated duration and a view of the château; the cycling loop covers a longer distance and is recommended for cyclists and e-bike users. Those more interested in architecture can visit the church without a guide and focus on its architecture and the artworks mentioned above. Vineyard tours and tastings offer further options, provided they are reserved in advance.
Discover more destinations: Paray-Le-Frésil, Treignat, Saint-Menoux, Bézenet, Verneix, Villebret, Yzeure, Le Mayet-De-Montagne.
For the regional travel overview: Allier.
