Ours de Pompon et d'Orlinsky à Saulieu
A. Millot - PNR Morvan
Centre-ville de Saulieu
A. Millot - PNR Morvan

Saulieu

At the gates of the Morvan Regional Natural Park

Located on the ancient "Via Agrippa", renamed throughout history "Grand Chemin", "Voie Royale" then "Voie Impériale" then "Nationale 6", Saulieu has always been a relay for travellers. Its gastronomic reputation is more recent: four masters; Victor Burtin until 1930, Alexandre Dumaine from 1931 to 1963 and Bernard Loiseau, to whom Patrick Bertron succeeded in 2003, raised the city to the rank of gastronomic capital. If animal sculptures animate the city it is in homage to the work of another great character from Saulieu: François POMPON. He was born in Saulieu in 1855 and "monte à Paris" where, recruited by Rodin, he rose to the level of the elite of the master's practitioners. His fascination with animals was to guide his personal production, whose originality was confirmed. In 1922, he obtained a legitimate consecration with his "White Bear". He died in 1933. Part of François Pompon's production is on display at the Musée de Saulieu. Two copies of the "Taurus" and the White Bear adorn the city.

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Accommodation Useful information Leasure Restauration

Accommodation Useful information Leasure Restauration

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Quarré-les-Tombes / Saulieu

2 Quarré-les-Tombes / Saulieu

46 km
4 h 45 min
Hard
Once you’ve taken a good look at the 112 stone sarcophagi scattered around Quarré-les-Tombes Church, the GTMC leads you along a section offering a string of spots with remarkable views. This stage provides the attractions of a hearty mountain-bike outing, plus the odd highlight along the way, such as the Forêt au Duc and the Benedictine Abbey of La Pierre qui Vire. The way is made all the prettier for being dotted with lakes of different sizes; in particular, you’ll cycle beside Saint-Agnan Lake, and the lakes by the Maison du Parc. The tracks through light woods offer very good sliding thrills… on a mountain bike!
Saulieu / Montsauche-les-Settons

3 Saulieu / Montsauche-les-Settons

34 km
3 h 00 min
Average
At the start of this stage, you’re plunged back to the start of the 20th century, the mountain-bike route following the former rail line that linked Saulieu to Corbigny via the slow Le Tacot train. Then enjoy a pleasant stretch dotted with hamlets set between patchworks of fields and small portions of hardwood forest. The route also takes you beside Chamboux Lake, the youngest of the Morvan’s great lakes. Stop to observe the many aquatic birds here, including kingfishers, crested grebes and grey herons. Get back on your bike to reach the edge of Settons Lake, cycling via an easy-rolling path, the highlight of this GTMC stage.