Plottes lies in a green, hilly landscape in southern Burgundy and in the valley of the Dolive, a tiny tributary of the SaĂ´ne. Four named discovery trails give the village a clear connection to nature and village architecture. Together with its local history, they make this a destination to explore through its paths, landscape, and rural heritage.
Hiking trails by length
The four discovery trails vary in length:
- Sentier des crĂŞtes: 6 km
- Petit sentier: 1.5 km
- Sentier du bois: 8.5 km
- Sentier des vignes: 4 km
At 1.5 km, the Petit sentier is the shortest; at 8.5 km, the Sentier du bois is the longest of the four routes. The 4 km Sentier des vignes and the 6 km Sentier des crêtes fall between them. This gives you a choice of shorter and longer distances to match to your day's plans. Before setting out, check the route names and distances locally. The marked hiking trail Sur les crêtes de Plottes starts and ends at Place du Pâquier (Pressoir). You can choose a route based on two specific criteria: its length in kilometres and your interest in nature or architectural heritage.
Landscape and nature
The four discovery trails take you through vineyards, forests, limestone grasslands, and Plottes's architectural heritage. The limestone grassland at Crâ is notable for its diverse flora and fauna. Orchids are among the plants found there in spring. If nature watching is a factor in choosing when to visit, this springtime connection offers a specific point of reference.
Le bois de Plottes passes through woodland and opens onto the wine-growing slopes, with views over the Saône plain and the Bresse. Hikers may come across the remains of old quarries along the way. The stone extracted there was used to build houses in the Tournugeois region. Crâ and Le bois de Plottes offer different highlights: the former focuses on diverse flora and fauna, while the latter features woodland, views, and a connection to regional building history.
Architecture and local history
The former château-fort, known as the château des moines, was attached to the church and belonged to Tournus Abbey. Its connection to the church and abbey gives this historic building a clear place in the village's history. Plottes has numerous cadoles, including three that have been restored; old winegrowers' houses are also part of the village's architecture. The architectural history can therefore be understood through two aspects: the château-fort's past, tied to the church and abbey, and the rural heritage of the cadoles and winegrowers' house architecture.
Discover more destinations: Le Puley, La Clayette, Sancé, La Frette, Artaix, Sennecé-Lès-Mâcon, Saint-Aubin-en-Charollais, La Comelle
For the main travel overview: SaĂ´ne-Et-Loire.
