Saint-Aubin-en-Charollais can be discovered through its water engineering heritage and historic architecture. A cycling route also passes through the town. This offers a choice of different focuses: the history of locks and water engineering, art in the church, and cycling along a 45-kilometre route. When planning, it is important to distinguish the route’s start and finish from its course through Saint-Aubin-en-Charollais.
Water engineering between lock and aqueduct
The Site de l'écluse 20 du versant Océan, dite de la Gravoine, comprises a mechanised lock chamber, a garden and a traditional lock keeper’s house. The control post is located in a small extension to the house. The various elements give the lock complex its distinctive character: the lock keeper’s house and its extension are part of the site, as is the chamber.
A different connection with water can be seen at the Aqueduc et prise d'eau de Theilly ou de Tilly. The structure is located in Saint-Aubin-en-Charollais on Bief 21 of the Loire-Océan slope and dates from the last quarter of the 18th century. It channels the Tilly stream to the Bourbince. This makes it possible to view the history of water engineering through two different structures: the mechanised lock chamber with its associated buildings, and the stream’s flow to the Bourbince. The ferme-école du Montceau is another local landmark by the water: it can be seen from the canal in Saint-Aubin-en-Charollais.
Church, bridge and private mill
The Retable du maître-autel is located in the church of Saint-Aubin-en-Charollais. It was listed as a protected object on 7 May 1971. The altarpiece adds a connection to art and ecclesiastical heritage alongside the technical structures. Another historic feature is the Pont routier isolé du Montceau: it provides access to the Domaine du Montceau and retains its late-19th-century appearance.
Just beyond Saint-Aubin-en-Charollais, the private Moulin de Chipot can be seen from the road. It dates from the 15th and 16th centuries and features a fine watchtower, a stair tower and a remarkable wooden gallery. For travel planning, the view from the road is what matters: the mill is private and visible from the road. Its architectural details provide a different focus from the lock complex and water engineering.
Plan cycling and accommodation
Easy circular route No. 8 starts and ends in Paray-le-Monial, but passes through Saint-Aubin-en-Charollais. The 45-kilometre route is designated for cycling and mountain biking. Its difficulty and length offer a concrete basis for considering cycling as a focus of your stay; they do not determine a specific riding time. Check the route conditions and information on downloadable tracks again before setting off.
When looking for a hotel in Saint-Aubin-en-Charollais, it is worth deciding on your main focus first. If the local buildings are your main interest, the lock, water engineering and altarpiece are among the defining themes. If cycling is your priority, you should also take the circular route into account: it passes through the town, but starts and ends in Paray-le-Monial. This distinction provides a concrete basis for planning your overnight stay without treating the town as the starting point of the route.
Discover more destinations: Bergesserin, Saint-Jean-De-Vaux, Leynes, Dracy-Le-Fort, Montchanin, Paris-L'hĂ´pital, Sologny, Autun.
For the broader travel overview: SaĂ´ne-Et-Loire.
