Morlet can be explored through its historic architecture and two marked circular walks. The Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Lorette is a small rural chapel at the crossroads of Morlet and Épinac. The Circuit de La Chapelle also offers views of the village from the chapel site. The Autour de Morlet circular walk features different highlights: a fountain, an old watering trough and the gatehouse of the Château de Morlet. If you are choosing between the two, both the historical details and the specific route profiles can help you decide.

Notre-Dame-de-Lorette Chapel

Inside the chapel, you can see paintings, pointed arches and sculptures, among other features. These differ as works of art, architectural forms and sculptural works; together, they offer various ways to engage with this small religious building.

The chapel was built before 1627, but the exact year is unknown. In the 16th century, a pilgrimage to Notre-Dame-de-Lorette took place at the chapel; the first restoration was carried out in 1696. The pilgrimage and restoration tell different stories: religious history and the upkeep of the building.

Château de Morlet

The Château de Morlet offers another historical focus. The gatehouse, mascarons, château and its English-style park are listed as historic monuments; the protected status therefore covers several specified features. The château’s history spans the late 13th century to the 21st century. Successive owners expanded and embellished it. The focus here is therefore less on a single dated alteration than on a long series of changes. Unlike the chapel, whose construction date is only known to be before 1627, the château’s history can be traced over a period of centuries.

Compare two circular walks

The Circuit de La Chapelle is a marked circular walking route of moderate difficulty, covering 6.2 km with 148 m of elevation gain. It starts and ends in Morlet at the Carrefour des 4 chemins crossroads, 500 m beyond the last hamlet in the direction of Collonge-la-Madeleine. At the chapel site, the circuit offers a lovely view of the village of Morlet.

Autour de Morlet is also a marked circular walking route of moderate difficulty. It covers 5 km with 132 m of elevation gain. Along the way, the route passes a fountain and an old watering trough. The imposing gatehouse of the Château de Morlet can also be seen on the right. The fountain, the old watering trough for livestock and the gatehouse offer different highlights from the view of Morlet at the chapel site.

Comparing the routes, Autour de Morlet is 1.2 km shorter; the difference in elevation gain is 16 m. Both routes are described as moderately difficult, so the shorter distance does not correspond to a different stated difficulty level. You can weigh up distance, elevation gain and route highlights when making your choice. As route information and access details may change, check the latest information before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Poisson, Verzé, Saint-Laurent-D'andenay, Chiddes, Saint-Rémy, Bruailles, Saint-Gengoux-De-Scissé, Oyé

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