Saint-Firmin offers two distinct themes for a discovery trip: local history centred on the church, a statue and historic stones, and a hike through forests and hedgerows. If you want to gauge how much time to set aside for walking, the À travers bois et bocages trail takes approximately 3 hours 30 minutes. There are also several clear milestones in the area’s history: the church’s renaming in the 15th century, its restoration in 1767 and the re-erection of the menhir in 1984. This makes it possible to decide before your trip whether to focus more on the historical context or the longer route.

Church: dedication, renovation and statue

Saint-Firmin’s church was originally dedicated to Saint Martin. In the 15th century, it was named Saint-Firmin on the occasion of the transfer of Saint Firmin’s relics to the village church. The building later changed too: in 1767, it underwent extensive restoration thanks to its last prior, J. B. Augustin de Salignac-Fénelon. A remodelling followed in the mid-19th century; in 1868, a north side chapel and a sacristy on the axis of the sanctuary were added.

The statue of Saint Firmin in the church is made of carved, polychrome-painted wood and dates from the 15th century. On 14 October 1996, it was registered as a protected movable cultural property. The date of creation and the date of protection mark different milestones: the former establishes the statue’s period, while the latter records its subsequent protected status. If you are interested in religious art, this object offers a tangible connection to the history of Saint Firmin; the restoration and additions, by contrast, tell the story of changes to the church building.

Menhir and Pierre de Champiteau

The Caillots menhir stands beside the former Roman road from Autun to Tournus via Saint-Sernin-du-Bois. It was re-erected in March 1984; this date marks its re-erection. Northwest of the hamlet of Grand Croix, take the first road on the right; the menhir stands 250 metres before the houses. Check the directions again against current local information before your visit.

The Pierre de Champiteau is a granite slab set into the ground behind the buildings of a farm. Justice was once administered beside it. In 1409, it was also called Grande Bourne de Champital, and in 1525, Grande Bonde. The menhir and the Pierre therefore offer different historical perspectives: one is associated with its position by the road and its re-erection, the other with former judicial proceedings and changing names.

Hiking and views

The À travers bois et bocages hiking trail is 12.0 kilometres long, takes approximately 3 hours 30 minutes and is rated moderate. The estimated duration helps you gauge how much time to allow; the moderate difficulty rating provides a separate indication of the level of challenge. The trail passes through forests and hedgerows and follows the Allée des Chevaux through the Rinchis forest. Check current trail conditions before setting out.

From the heights of Saint-Firmin, you can enjoy views of sunsets over the Mesvrin. The hike is mainly useful for information about distance and time; the heights add a landscape perspective, with views of the sunset over the Mesvrin.

Discover more destinations: Volesvres, La Boulaye, Maltat, Charette-Varennes, Tramayes, Dompierre-Les-Ormes, Montpont-En-Bresse, Blanzy

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