The Bouton d’Or hiking trail offers two clearly defined options for planning a hike in Francheville: a 76-kilometre loop and a 14-kilometre route between Francheville and Étaules. Yellow, or “buttercup,” markers identify the trail; it passes through all twelve municipalities in the local authority area. The shorter route is specifically located between two places, while the 76 kilometres describe the loop. This makes it possible to distinguish the distance and route type before deciding on a hike.
Hiking Trails and Landscapes
A 19-kilometre circular route starts in Francheville and leads through a deep valley lined with beech and fir trees. In addition to the distance, the wooded terrain is also described specifically. When comparing routes, you can consider whether a particular length or this landscape is decisive for your choice.
The “Combe de Francheville à Vernot” ZNIEFF encompasses the municipalities of Curtil-Saint-Seine, Francheville and Vernot. Two long-distance trails also run nearby: the GR 2 from Mussy-sur-Seine to Sainte-Foy and the GR 7 from Grancey-le-Château to Santenay. These trails offer a different point of reference from the routes described from Francheville: their names and endpoints belong to the long-distance hiking context, whereas specific distances are given for the Bouton d’Or and the circular route.
Church, Garden and Tradition
The parish church of Saint-Maurice in Francheville has a nave with three vaulted bays. Moulded round-arch transverse arches rest on small columns. The single-nave, approximately square choir is covered by a rib vault and extended by an apse with a half-dome vault. The plans and estimates by Dijon architect Duvaux were approved in 1832. The approval date adds a specific historical reference to the architectural features of the design.
A fixed date in local tradition is the night from 30 April to 1 May. Every year, trees known as “Mais” are placed in front of the doors or against the walls of the homes of young women of marriageable age, in their honour. For a stay around the turn of the month, this custom provides a specific seasonal point of interest.
Not far from the church is the “Christian Theuriet” garden of aromatic and medicinal plants, named after its now-deceased creator. As an educational space, it is dedicated to plants that stimulate the taste buds and heal the body. The church and garden are close to each other and bring different themes to the local landscape: sacred architecture and botany.
Practical Information
The 2021 municipal welcome guide lists a rest area by the washhouse in the town centre, with children’s play facilities and public toilets. If you plan to use these facilities, check their condition before your visit. The same guide describes L’Abrepin as an educational farm that welcomes school pupils, leisure centres and families throughout the year and during holiday camps, so they can learn about life on a farm. If you plan to visit the farm, check in advance whether it is currently receiving visitors.
Discover more destinations: Lamarche-Sur-Saône, Gerland, Meursault, Bure-les-Templiers, Saint-Seine-Sur-Vingeanne, Maconge, Semur-En-Auxois, Flammerans.
Return to the main travel overview: Cote-Dor.
