The Arroux flows through Charbonnat. The village combines a specific hiking opportunity with a Romanesque church and a long history of crossing the river. For planning your trip, these themes can be considered separately: the Circuit de Charbonnat is a challenging route, while the river, natural areas and local history offer other points of interest.

Hiking and Navigation

The Circuit de Charbonnat is 18.2 kilometres long and rated “very difficult.” It starts at the Salle des Fêtes de Charbonnat. The route passes the Étang de Chevannes and then heads towards Plaige. Check trail conditions before setting out, and take the difficulty rating into account when planning your day. The distance, rating and starting point give you specific details to help decide whether this hike suits your stay.

For a break by the river, Charbonnat has a picnic area called “En bord de rivière.” It offers natural shade, parking, and tables and benches. The area can be reached via the path beneath the bridge. This gives you both a designated hiking route and a named spot for a picnic break to consider when planning your visit.

The Arroux and Natural Areas

Charbonnat is part of the ZNIEFF type 2 area “L’Arroux d’Autun à Digoin.” This area includes the type 1 site “Vallée de l’Arroux à St-Nizier et bocage de Charbonnat.” The two names highlight different geographical areas: one refers to the stretch of the Arroux from Autun to Digoin, the other to the valley near St-Nizier and the bocage of Charbonnat.

The Arroux alluvial valley from Autun to Digoin is also of regional importance, due to its alluvial habitats and rich flora and fauna. For nature enthusiasts, this offers a connection that looks beyond the village name to the river and its surroundings. These areas provide context for the natural environment; they are distinct from the specific hiking route as a separate excursion plan.

The Church, the Village Name and the History of the Bridge

Charbonnat has been known since the 10th century. Carbonacum is mentioned in 924 in a document from the Abbey of Saint-Martin d’Autun. The village has a medieval Romanesque church dedicated to Saint Marcel. Its period and dedication offer a distinct cultural point of reference in the village’s history.

Another point of interest is the bridge over the Arroux: it was built in 1876 after the former ferry was discontinued. The village’s history thus spans from the name’s documentary mention to the later change in how the river was crossed. The church and bridge represent different historical themes that can be explored side by side when learning about Charbonnat.

Fishing and Guided Discoveries

On the Laisy–Charbonnat stretch of the Arroux, fishing with dead baitfish and dry-fly and wet-fly fishing are considered the most productive methods. Fish measuring an average of 30 to 40 centimetres are reported for the same stretch. If you would like to fish there, check the current regulations beforehand.

Guides en Morvan is based in Charbonnat and offers guided hikes as well as guided visits to places of interest in the Morvan and Grand Autunois Morvan. The offer therefore includes two different forms of guided activity: hikes and visits. When planning your trip, you can distinguish between a self-planned hike on the Circuit de Charbonnat and the guided activities mentioned in the wider regions.

Discover more destinations: Chatenay, Baudemont, Prissé, Ozenay, Leynes, Mercurey, Fontaines, Pruzilly.

For the main travel overview: Saône-Et-Loire.