Château de Brancion

At the heart of the Romanesque road linking the abbeys of Tournus and Cluny, perched on a rocky outcrop, Brancion welcomes you and takes you on a voyage of discovery of a dreamed-of Middle Ages: fortified gateway, keep dominating the village and the Romanesque church, exceptional panoramic views and strolls through an entirely pedestrianised site. Surrounded by greenery, the castle is a place where time seems to stand still. It is unique in that it illustrates the evolution of castle architecture from the Carolingian era to the Wars of Religion.

* The ruins of the logis de l'An Mil, one of the few known examples in France of a large seigneurial hall from the early 11th century.
* The 12th- and 13th-century Seigneurial castle with the Beaufort dwelling and its defensive towers, the Treasure Tower and the 20-metre-high keep, which offers an exceptional 360° panoramic view.
* The 14th-century ducal castle with the Beaujeu dwelling, whose magnificent poly-lobed bays and monumental fireplaces bear witness to its past grandeur.

Nestling between the castle and the church, the village offers a maze of flower-filled alleyways that are a delight to stroll through. In the central square (the "plâtre commun") stands the 16th-century covered market.
The Romanesque church of Saint-Pierre dominates an unspoilt landscape forged by hundreds of generations of farmers. It houses wall paintings from the late 13th century and the recumbent tomb of Josserand de Brancion, who died at the battle of Mansourah in 1250 (7th Crusade).
Just next door is the herb garden created by the TREMPLIN Homme et Patrimoine association.