Chevenon combines distinctive buildings with opportunities to explore on foot or along the canal. The Church of Saint-Martin, the Chapelle Saint-Etienne de Jaugenay and the surviving remains of the Château de Chevenon each offer a different point of reference for the town’s history. There is also a hiking trail, a route along the towpath and the Zébulleparc. When planning your trip, you can therefore consider cultural history and outdoor activities as separate highlights.
Churches and historic buildings
The Church of Saint-Martin was built in the Nivernais Romanesque style. Its oldest part dates from the 12th century, and its bell from 1507. This places the date of one part of the building alongside a precisely dated feature of the church.
The Chapelle Saint-Etienne de Jaugenay dates from the second half of the 12th century. Its designation as a historic monument also has two dates: one part was classified in 1946, and the entire chapel in 1976. The two dates therefore describe different steps in its protected status.
The Château de Chevenon is the surviving remnant of a fortified castle dating from the 14th and 15th centuries. Its rectangular keep has two round towers at the front and two square towers at the rear. The château was classified as a historic monument by decree of 25 February 1946. In addition to its age, the layout of the surviving towers is also evident from its design.
Paths and landscape
The Canal latéral à la Loire opened in 1838. The D13 also offers a specific point of reference in the landscape: it runs between the canal and the bocage landscape. The canal and the road therefore provide different landmarks for the countryside around Chevenon.
From Chevenon, you can reach the Chapelle de Jaugenay via EuroVelo 6, along the towpath of the Canal latéral à la Loire in the direction of Decize. The route is about five kilometres long. If you plan to cycle this route, check the path surface and signage beforehand.
A longer option is the 14-kilometre hiking trail starting at the Zébulleparc. It passes through woods and fields and returns to the village via the canal. Check the trail conditions locally. The two distances refer to different things: about five kilometres describes the route to a specific destination, while 14 kilometres is the length of the hiking trail.
Chevenon is part of the geocaching network run by the Saint-Pierre Magny-Cours Tourist Office. The network includes 56 caches in 14 municipalities and offers a way to discover the area’s heritage and landscapes. As the availability of individual caches may change, check in advance which ones are currently available.
Swimming area and practical information
The Zébulleparc has a supervised swimming area; its availability may vary by season. There is a fishing pond right next to the park. The park is also the starting point for the 14-kilometre hiking trail, making it a useful landmark if you plan to include both waterside activities and a hike in your trip.
Cars can be parked in the lorry park opposite the stadium or in the car park opposite the bar. As parking arrangements may change, check the current situation before setting off.
Discover more destinations: Moraches, Limanton, Corbigny, Arquian, Colméry, Corancy, Châtillon-En-Bazois, Narcy.
For the regional travel overview: Nièvre.
