Baubigny combines nature and hiking with historical details. In the Pelouses et Falaise de Baubigny et de Saint-Romain protected area, limestone grasslands, cliffs and woodland take centre stage; for planning a hike, the Circuit des Roches offers two options with comparable times and distances. The parish church of Saint-Léger and the Fontaine au Chêne in Orches add architectural history and the use of a spring to the picture.
Nature between limestone grasslands and cliffs
As of December 2025, the Pelouses et Falaise de Baubigny et de Saint-Romain protected area covers 117.5 hectares. Its two separate sections lie in the communes of Baubigny and Saint-Romain. The landscape includes dry limestone grasslands, woodland at the foot of the cliffs, scree slopes and limestone boulders. Open, wooded and rocky areas therefore sit side by side, rather than a single landscape type defining the natural area.
The cliffs, scree slopes and woodland at the foot of the cliffs are home to mezereons, peregrine falcons, eagle-owls and wildcats. These species are part of a natural area that includes not only open limestone terrain but also rocky and woodland habitats.
Walking trails and time planning
The GR 7 long-distance trail crosses the entire Baubigny area. Another option is Circuit 18, also known as the Circuit des Roches: it is a circular route and is included in the PDIPR. The two routes therefore differ in more than just their names: the Circuit is described as a loop, while the GR 7 crosses the area.
At the time of checking, the tourism website listed the Circuit des Roches at around 15 kilometres and approximately five hours. For the shorter northern loop between Évelle and Orches, the tourism website listed around 10 kilometres and approximately three hours at the time of checking. The difference of around five kilometres and about two hours makes it possible to compare the time required for the two options; you can make your choice based on how much time you have for hiking and the distance you want to cover. At the time of checking, the tourism website listed parking for Circuit 18 by the church in Baubigny. Check the latest route information before setting out.
Church and Fontaine au Chêne
The architectural history of the parish church of Saint-Léger can be traced through several periods. The bell tower and possibly the choir were built in the 12th century; the porch and portal were added at the end of the 15th century, when the choir was also remodelled. Thus, the choir’s possible early construction must be distinguished from its later alteration. The corbels on the portal bear smoothed coats of arms. Corbels are projecting structural elements; here, they shape the design of the portal.
A different historical setting can be found in Orches, Baubigny: the Fontaine au Chêne consists of four Gallo-Roman steles above a spring. The spring feeds a drinking trough dating from the 19th century. The ancient stone monuments and the much later trough are thus connected to the same spring, which supplies water for the trough. While the church is characterised by building phases from different centuries, the fountain brings together Gallo-Roman steles and a 19th-century trough.
Discover more destinations: Quétigny, Bessey-En-Chaume, Lusigny-sur-Ouche, Jossigny, Ménétreux-Le-Pitois, Corcelles-Les-Arts, Essey, Brianny.
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