On the southern slopes above Lac de Charmes, Bannes brings together landscape, religious architecture and cycling. Saint-Laurent Church shapes the cultural character of the village, while the “Entre lacs et canal” circular route also passes through Bannes. A panoramic view over the lake adds a distinct landscape feature to the description of the village. This makes it possible to plan a stay around your own interests, from church architecture and scenic views to cycling.

Landscape around Lac de Charmes

From Chemin des Plains des Crêts, you can enjoy a panoramic view over Lac de Charmes. The view adds a specific landscape perspective to the geographical setting and offers a distinct travel highlight alongside architecture and cycling. If you are choosing Bannes for a stay based on your interests, you can take this named viewpoint into account when planning.

Saint-Laurent Church and its architectural history

Saint-Laurent Church is neoclassical and characteristic of the religious buildings along the Val de Gris. Its austere architectural form is attributed to active reconstruction campaigns in the 18th century. The building’s form describes the overall effect of the architecture; the reconstruction campaigns add historical context to this formal perspective. Saint-Laurent thus brings together the history of architectural style and religious architecture in a distinct cultural theme for Bannes. Visitors interested in churches can consider its architectural form and historical character together.

The Magasin à poudre de la Manère

Another cultural and historical point of interest is the Magasin à poudre de la Manère. It is on the southern slope of Lac de Charmes and was built beneath a rock around 1890. The site is privately owned, and access is strictly prohibited. Check this access restriction again before travelling, and do not plan to enter the site. Its construction history can be taken into account when learning about the area, without planning a visit to the grounds.

Cycling: comparing two routes

The “Entre lacs et canal” route passes through Bannes and is a 29-kilometre circular route. It connects Lac de la Liez and Lac de Charmes with the towpath of the Canal entre Champagne et Bourgogne. It is considered easy for cycle tourism; the estimated duration is two hours and 15 minutes. The distance, circular route format and duration provide practical information for planning a cycling trip.

Le Tour des 4 Lacs is a 75-kilometre cycling route. To choose based on distance, you can compare the two routes: the circular route through Bannes is 29 kilometres long, while the other cycling route is 75 kilometres. This allows you to use your preferred distance as a criterion when choosing.

Le Petit Charme

Le Petit Charme in Bannes has a modern bar area overlooking Lac de Charmes and a terrace by the lake. If you plan to include it in your stay, check in advance whether it is currently open to visitors, as operating details may change.

Considering Bannes as an overnight destination

When looking for hotels in Bannes, it helps to first decide on the purpose of your trip. Those who want to focus on architecture will find a clear cultural connection at Saint-Laurent; those planning to enjoy the landscape or go cycling can use the view from Chemin des Plains des Crêts or the route distances as a guide. This lets you choose accommodation according to your own interests.

Discover more destinations: Vignes-La-Côté, Joinville, Foulain, Daillancourt, Vaux-Sous-Aubigny, Langres, Auberive, Dancevoir.

Go to the main travel overview: Haute-Marne.