Discover the Morvan through two gateways in Saint-Brisson: at the Maison du Parc, history and remembrance take centre stage, while trails leading to Étang Taureau and through the municipality’s open meadows and hamlets reveal the landscape. The exhibitions focus on the history of the people and regional resistance; outdoors, the pond, its wildlife and plant life, and the landscape offer a complementary cultural perspective. You can therefore choose whether to focus on the museums, the trails, or a combination of both.

People and Landscapes of the Morvan

The Maison des hommes et des paysages, in the heart of the Maison du Parc, introduces the exhibition route «Morvan, une histoire d’échanges et de migrations». It presents the landscapes of the Morvan through the history of the exchanges and migrations that have shaped the area. The exhibition traces the history of the people of the Morvan from prehistoric times to the present day and also includes people who found refuge in the Morvan. Hedge maintenance, dry-stone wall construction and traditional grain varieties add local knowledge and skills to this perspective.

The Résistance: A Closer Historical Focus

The Musée de la Résistance en Morvan is also located at the Maison du Parc in Saint-Brisson. It presents the role and significance of the Résistance in the region during the Second World War. Its three rooms display numerous objects, archival documents, items of equipment, photographs and weapons relating to the Occupation, the Résistance, Liberation and remembrance; individual displays may change. Compared with the Maison des hommes et des paysages, its historical focus is narrower: the latter’s story spans from prehistoric times to the present day, while this museum focuses on the Résistance and its significance during the Second World War.

Trails by Étang Taureau and through Saint-Brisson

Étang Taureau is part of the Réserve naturelle régionale des tourbières du Morvan. The Sentier de découverte de l’étang Taureau is one kilometre long, follows boardwalks and leads to the far end of the pond. Thirteen information panels cover its history and its wildlife and plant life. The Boucle du dolmen Chevresse focuses on a different aspect of the landscape: it passes through open meadows and hamlets in Saint-Brisson and starts and ends at the Maison du Parc visitor car park, by the horse statue. The routes described therefore differ in their focus on the pond or on meadows and hamlets, as well as in their respective paths.

More Ways to Experience Nature at the Maison du Parc

Near the Sentier de découverte, the Maison du Parc has a sensory trail with installations that visitors can experience barefoot and explore using all five senses. The herb garden at the Maison du Parc helps you identify wild plants and learn about their properties. Unlike the information panels by the pond, these attractions have different focuses: the sensory trail centres on the barefoot experience and the senses, while the herb garden focuses on plant knowledge.

Food and Drink

The Bistrot du Parc serves food and drinks made with local and seasonal produce, most of it organically grown. Regional produce thus adds another element to the Maison du Parc’s offering, complementing visits to its museums and trails.

Discover more destinations: Poil, Azy-Le-Vif, Beaumont-Sardolles, Saint-Benin-D'azy, Mesves-Sur-Loire, La Collancelle, La Machine, Lavault-De-Frétoy.

For the main travel overview: Nièvre.