At Lac des Settons, the seasons for water activities and hiking differ: water sports are possible from spring through autumn, while the hiking trails are suitable for exploring the surrounding area year-round. The hamlet of Les Settons lies right on the lakeshore. Montsauche-Les-Settons is located in a protected natural area of the Morvan Massif and in the Parc naturel régional du Morvan. Cultural discoveries include a Gothic church built in several phases and the Base nautique Les Branlasses building, whose design explains its nickname, “Pagoda.”

At Lac des Settons: Activities and Seasons

Activities on the lake include rowing, water skiing, windsurfing and swimming. The clear water makes water sports possible from spring through autumn; some activities may depend on the season. If you have a particular water sport in mind, check in advance whether it is available during your travel dates. The hiking trails around Lac des Settons are suitable for exploring the surrounding area all year round. Compared with seasonal water sports, they offer a different timeframe. If you would like to combine both, you can plan water sports around the season and add the trails as a year-round option.

Eglise Saint-Barthélémy and Its Building History

Eglise Saint-Barthélémy was rebuilt in 1863 on the foundations of a church believed to date from the 15th century and to have been modified in the 16th century. The 19th-century reconstruction thus connects with earlier building phases. As a Gothic church, it has three naves, each ending in an apse. The naves are the main interior spaces running alongside one another; the apses form the end of each. If you are interested in church architecture, you can observe both the layout of the interior and the forms that bring it to a close.

The church can be visited using a key kept at the town hall. Please arrange access locally before your visit.

Why the Building Is Called “Pagoda”

The Base nautique Les Branlasses building is nicknamed “Pagoda” because of its hexagonal floor plan, projecting roof sections and use of wood. At the church, the architectural focus is on the division into three naves and the apses at their ends; at the Pagoda, it is on the exterior shape, roof and material. This offers a comparison between two distinct design features: the spatial layout of a Gothic church and the form of a wooden building.

Bateau Morvan and a Trip on the Lake

Bateau Morvan has two landing stages on opposite sides of the dam. Check the current operating arrangements before your trip. On a trip across Lac des Settons, Bateau Morvan tells visitors about the lake’s history, timber rafting and the work of the Parc Naturel Régional du Morvan. When planning, you can therefore take into account both the landing stages and the topics covered during a trip.

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Discover more destinations: Druy-Parigny, Myennes, Neuville Les Decize, Biches, Bitry, Savigny-Poil-Fol, Montambert, Vitry-Laché

See the regional travel overview: Nièvre.