At the edge of the Saône Plain, Argilly is where open, flat terrain meets the vineyard slopes of the Côte viticole. Forests, agricultural land and aquatic habitats add to the landscape. The area can therefore be understood both through its varied landscape and its traces of history.

A landscape at the transition

Argilly’s location at the transition between two regions places it in a broader context: the open, flat terrain of the Saône Plain meets the slopes of the Côte viticole, which are characteristic of winegrowing. The landscape in this setting also includes forests, agricultural land and aquatic habitats. This helps distinguish the geographical setting from the municipality’s different environments. Argilly is also part of the European Natura 2000 network. When planning your trip, you can treat the landscape and local history as separate areas of interest and decide which to focus on during your stay.

Roman roads and medieval craftsmanship

Argilly developed at the crossroads of two ancient Roman roads. A Gallo-Roman villa stood west of the settlement and was later used as a Merovingian necropolis. In the Middle Ages, the town became known for its terracotta craftsmanship. These details point to different aspects of its history: the Roman roads reflect development at the crossroads, the villa links its Gallo-Roman origins with a later use, and terracotta represents a medieval craft that made Argilly well known.

Buildings and changing names

Argilly had a castle with fourteen towers, which the Dukes of Burgundy restored and embellished. The basilica church has been listed as a historic monument since 1927. The date 1927 marks the church’s listing; the castle’s specific historical associations are its fourteen towers and the work carried out by the dukes. Argilly’s largest washhouse has lock gates, two levels of washboards and a fireplace. These features bring its design to life and add another form of built heritage to the history of the castle and church.

The Moulin du dessus was later called the Moulin d’Archiac and is now known as the Moulin du Coq; it is one of Argilly’s former watermills. The sequence of names connects the mill’s present name with its earlier names and offers another way to explore local history.

Practical information for your stay

There are several benches in the church square, with parking available to the north and west of the square. Argilly has close ties with Beaune and a very direct connection to Nuits-Saint-Georges and the surrounding villages. Before travelling, check which specific connections are currently available for your travel dates. When planning your stay, you can decide whether to focus on the landscape, the natural environment or local history.

Discover more destinations: Semur-En-Auxois, Barbirey-Sur-Ouche, Saulon-La-Rue, Aloxe-Corton, Clomot, Puligny-Montrachet, Fontaine-Lès-Dijon, Montbard.

Return to the main travel guide: Cote-Dor.