Saint-Bonnet-De-Cray can be discovered through two distinct highlights: the church, with its late Romanesque core and wall paintings, and the 13-kilometre Les Hauts du Bézo circular trail. The townscape also preserves traces of the past, with far-reaching views of the surrounding ridges. Whether you want to focus on architecture and local history or on a longer route is a practical question to consider when planning your stay.
A church with several building phases
The church’s eastern end is characteristic of late Romanesque architecture in the Brionnais. Its history reveals several layers: the transept and choir date from the mid-12th century, while the nave was rebuilt in the 19th century. The surviving Romanesque layout includes a transept, a choir bay flanked by side aisles, and an apse. The apse forms the end of the choir; the transept is the part of the church that runs across it. Two large wall paintings in the choir depict different subjects. One shows Saint Bonnet; the other shows Saint Gilles protecting a hind pursued by hunters. The church thus brings together both the development of its architecture and two specific pictorial subjects.
Les Hauts du Bézo: trail and views
The 13-kilometre Les Hauts du Bézo circular trail starts at the town hall. It is designated for hiking, horse riding and mountain biking. Its length and clearly defined starting point make it easy to include as a distinct highlight in your travel plans. Along the route is the viewpoint at Prairie de Torry, where a 180-degree panorama stretches across Haut-Beaujolais and the wooded ridges of the Monts de Tarare to the distant Monts de la Madeleine. The Monts de la Madeleine are also visible from the outskirts of Saint-Bonnet-De-Cray; the named viewpoint, however, brings several landscape areas into view at once. The trail also passes Clos de Saint-Bonnet. This enclosure is associated with a 15th-century castle that has since disappeared and with the area’s former winegrowing. Another point of interest is the Moulin du Virot, whose waterwheel is said to have been renovated.
The townscape and historic objects
The town hall is situated between a residential building and the square dovecote tower of the former rectory. The tower houses municipal, tourist and cultural information. The site thus brings together its former use as a rectory and its present-day municipal functions. The local heritage also includes two statuettes known as “Anges céroféraires”. They date from the 15th century, were restored in 2013 and were classified as historic objects on 21 August 1925. Their creation, classification and later restoration mark distinct stages in their history.
The Fête Patronale takes place in early September; dates and programme may vary. If you want to plan your stay around the festival, check the specific event dates before making your travel plans.
A regional connection to winegrowing
The Brionnais context also adds to the town’s cultural history. In the heart of the Brionnais, a small vineyard recalls the region’s former winegrowing tradition, which has since disappeared, and is being partly revived by a family of wine enthusiasts. This regional connection links the history of past land use with its revival today.
Two questions may guide your plans: would you like to focus mainly on church architecture, wall paintings and historic objects, or would you prefer the 13-kilometre circular trail to shape your stay?
Discover more destinations: Saint-Eusèbe, Gergy, Beaumont-sur-Grosne, Saint-Germain-Du-Bois, Vinzelles, Montagny-Lès-Buxy, Dezize-Lès-Maranges, Cussy-En-Morvan
Return to the regional travel overview: Saône-Et-Loire.
