Châtellenot offers two perspectives on the area: its architectural history and the landscape, which can be explored via a distinctive circular trail. Cultural points of interest include Saint-Pierre Church, the windmill and historic details such as the year engraved on the cemetery cross. The “Regards autour de Cercey” trail climbs to the heights of Châtellenot and offers changing views of the Burgundy Canal and its surroundings. When planning your visit, you can choose between individual historic buildings and landscape experiences.
A protected site in the landscape
The “Eglise et château de Châtellenot” site is regionally significant for its picturesque, historical and landscape qualities. It was granted protected status on 22 February 1945. It is clearly visible across the surrounding landscape of gently rolling plains. Its protected status and visibility highlight different aspects: the former anchors the site’s history in time, while its presence in the landscape shapes the view of the surrounding area.
Saint-Pierre: chapel, apse and statues
Saint-Pierre Church was originally a castle chapel. Its semicircular apse has a half-dome, known as a calotte vault, and three windows. In architectural terminology, “apse” describes the semicircular structure, while “calotte vault” refers to its dome-shaped ceiling. The terms therefore describe different architectural features.
The church houses a rich collection of statues, some of which came from the Saint-Antoine Chapel in the hamlet of Dionne. Ruins of that chapel remain there; its surviving structural elements date to the 16th century. Saint-Pierre and Dionne thus offer two connected but distinct examples of religious history: the origin of part of the collection and the surviving architectural traces of the chapel.
Windmill and dated architectural landmarks
Châtellenot’s windmill was built in 1854 to replace an earlier mill that had been destroyed. It is a round masonry tower, 8.3 metres high and 6 metres in diameter. In direct comparison, the tower is 2.3 metres taller than it is wide; the measurements describe both its vertical extent and the width of its circular structure.
The year 1842 is engraved on the front of the plinth of Châtellenot’s cemetery cross. The role of each of the two dates is important: 1854 is the year the windmill was built, while 1842 appears on the cross’s plinth.
Circular trail or guided tour
The “Regards autour de Cercey” trail climbs to the heights of Châtellenot and offers changing views of the Burgundy Canal and its surroundings. Etrot-Auxois offers guided tours from Châtellenot on electric outdoor scooters. The activities have different focuses: the circular trail highlights the landscape views, while the tours feature a guided scooter experience.
The meeting point for Etrot-Auxois tours is at 15 Rue Bille, 21320 Châtellenot. Check the meeting-point details again before you set off.
Discover more destinations: Montliot-Et-Courcelles, Longvic, Rouvray, Vignoles, Fontaine-Française, Nantoux, Sainte-Sabine, Chenôve.
For the broader travel overview: Cote-Dor.
