Official website of the Grand Charolais (South Burgundy)

  • © Mélanie Roger © Mélanie Roger
  • © Ang Daniels © Ang Daniels
  • © Mélanie Roger
  • © Ang Daniels
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Balade Verte - Les Fours (VE2)

Vendenesse-lès-Charolles

A village of Celtic origin, Vendenesse-lès-Charolles covers 2,738 hectares and has a population of 805. Livestock farming dominates amidst a mosaic of meadows surrounded by hedges. Its Romanesque church, dating from the 12th century, the 16th-century Château de Collanges, rebuilt on the ruins of an 11th-century fortress, and lime kilns make up the heritage of this commune.

Description

The Charolais remains one of the last bastions of the French bocage. Its rolling hills and multitude of trees enliven the green meadows bordered by low hedges. Never closed in on its plots, the Charolais offers visitors a succession of rural scenes. Animal life is omnipresent, but discreet: pheasants, rabbits and owls can be seen and spotted. At the cradle of the Charolais breed, known the world over, a stop at the Maison du Charolais pays tribute to the famous bovine; as you continue your walk, you'll never look at the VIPs of the pastures in the same way again. At Vendenesse-les-Charolles, the lime kilns near the quarries are a poignant reminder of the region's industrial past. Three impressive brick chimneys bear unique architectural witness to the hard work of the lime kiln workers. Past and present, the path echoes our countryside and its people, restoring the beauty of the landscape to those who shaped it with courage and perseverance.