Two distinct focuses can be incorporated into travel plans for Lanthes: the architectural history of the Sainte-Marie-Madeleine parish church and the Sentier de la Bauche, a hiking trail through the commune. The church brings together building phases from its probable origins in the 13th century to work carried out in the 18th century; the trail passes through wooded areas and agricultural land. This allows you to consider whether you would rather explore historic architecture or include a hike as a separate part of your itinerary.

Architectural history and furnishings of the parish church

The Sainte-Marie-Madeleine parish church was probably built in the 13th century. It was largely rebuilt in the 16th century; the choir was rebuilt and the sacristy added in the 18th century. This sequence distinguishes the original construction, the extensive rebuilding, and the later expansion, rather than reducing the building’s history to a single date. The materials are also associated with specific parts: the front façade and the lower sections of the nave walls are made of limestone. The nave is the elongated main space of a church; the choir and sacristy add further parts of the building to its architectural history.

The pulpit, “Chaire à prêcher,” makes this sequence of dates particularly tangible. It is in the nave, against the right-hand wall. Parts of the pulpit date from the first quarter of the 16th century; later work dates to the third quarter of the 19th century. It has been classified as a protected object since 3 April 1907. The dates refer to different phases of work, while the classification provides a separate historical reference point. For a focus on cultural history, the pulpit is an example that helps distinguish the building’s history from its protection history.

The nave also contains the fully sculpted representation “Ronde-bosse: instruments de la Passion,” on the confessional. Its title identifies the instruments of the Passion as its subject; its position on the confessional sets this furnishing apart spatially from the pulpit against the right-hand wall. The bell offers another way to explore the church. Its inscription gives the casting year as 1852 and names Jean Bte Petitjean as mayor of Lanthes. The bell is rung by hand, via a transmission using a rope and a half-lever arm. The inscription and mechanism thus offer different points of interest: its historical context and the way it is operated.

The Sentier de la Bauche

As a second option for a dedicated travel focus, the Sentier de la Bauche passes through Pagny-le-Château, Lanthes, Seurre, and Chamblanc. The hike is 11 kilometers long, with a stated duration of 3 hours and 30 minutes. The trail is heavily shaded and runs first through extensive wooded areas, then through agricultural land. The distance and stated duration provide a concrete framework for planning; the sequence of woodland and agricultural landscapes also describes the character of the route. As trail details can change, it is advisable to check the current route before setting out.

Two distinct focuses

If you are especially interested in historic building phases, materials, and church furnishings, you can make the parish church the focus of a cultural history visit. If you would rather plan a hike based on its route and stated duration, the Sentier de la Bauche provides a concrete planning framework. The two focuses therefore differ mainly in the kind of discovery they offer: here, the history of the building and its furnishings; there, a route through several communes and changing landscapes.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Labergement-Lès-Seurre, Chanceaux, Meursault, Corgoloin, Asnières-en-Montagne, Villeferry, Vitteaux, Beurizot

For the broader travel overview: Cote-Dor.