Varennes-sous-Dun lies in the Sornin Valley. Local themes range from the Balade des Faillettes to architecture and local history: the route begins and ends in the commune; the chapel, village church, and Château de Grandvaux add a cultural and historical perspective. This gives you a clear question to consider when planning your trip: should a named route take center stage, or the history of the buildings and the village?

The Balade des Faillettes

The Balade des Faillettes begins and ends in Varennes-sous-Dun and passes through the Bois de Chemineau. The forest is associated with the legend of the Faillettes, the little fairies. The specific route and a local tale are therefore among the distinctive features of this walk. If you would also like to include a walking route in your choice of destination, you’ll find a named starting and finishing point here, as well as a named section of forest.

The location information identifies the start and finish at commune level. Route details may change, so check the latest route description before setting out. The connection to Varennes-sous-Dun and the link to the Bois de Chemineau offer two distinct points of reference for the Balade: the village and the legend associated with it.

The Chapel and Village Church

The Chapelle de la Croix Bouthier dates from the 15th century. In 1929, it was rebuilt at its present location and restored in 2021. Its history thus spans several periods: its medieval origins, its reconstruction at its current site, and a later restoration. The chapel is open to the public and tourists; opening arrangements may vary. Check them before your visit.

The village church offers a different point of reference in time. Built in the mid-19th century in the Gothic Revival style, it replaced an earlier church dating from the late Middle Ages. Its construction history can therefore be understood as a new building with a clearly identified predecessor. In comparison with the Chapelle de la Croix Bouthier, the focus here is on the Gothic Revival style and the replacement of the older church building, rather than on a restoration.

Architecture and Local Remembrance

The architectural features shape the impression made by Château de Grandvaux: a large, square main building, or keep, is flanked by two round towers. There are also mullioned windows and several arrow slits. The windows divide the façade vertically and into cross-shaped sections; the arrow slits add details with a defensive appearance. Visitors interested in architecture can distinguish the effect of the building’s basic form, its towers, and its individual façade elements.

The Croix des Rongeaux also preserves a local memory. Blessed in 1898, the cross commemorates a wooden cross in the nearby hamlet of Les Chambons that was destroyed during the Revolution. The story thus links a later memorial with the destroyed wooden cross it commemorates.

Another local story is connected with the hamlet of Les Croix. The oldest church in the commune stands there, commemorating three cloth merchants who were robbed and stabbed to death at this spot. This tradition and the story of the Croix des Rongeaux relate to different events: here, the focus is on the merchants; there, on the memory of a destroyed cross. Together with the Balade, the chapel, the village church, and the château, they offer various ways to choose Varennes-sous-Dun based on its landscape, architecture, or local history.

Discover more destinations: Chardonnay, La Chapelle-De-Guinchay, Virey-le-Grand, Céron, Chassey-Le-Camp, Charmoy, Vareilles, Cheilly-Lès-Maranges

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