Ménessaire: Château, Rye Culture and Local History

To help you decide where to travel, Ménessaire offers several specific cultural themes: the architectural history of the Château, the history of rye cultivation, religious traditions at the Fontaine St Aubin, and views from the tourist road towards Les Settons. This lets you weigh up whether architecture, rural heritage, local ritual history or scenery should be the focus of your trip.

Château de Ménessaire: Architectural History and Design

A fortified house previously stood on the site of the Château de Ménessaire; a castle was built here at the end of the 14th century. The Château’s present appearance dates from the 17th century, making it part of a later phase of construction. The Château has a U-shaped floor plan and four towers. Moats and sturdy bridges can also be seen. It has been listed as a historic monument since 1973.

Two periods are therefore important when considering its architectural history: the castle’s construction at the end of the 14th century and its later 17th-century form. The floor plan and towers add specific architectural features to this timeline. Those interested in historic buildings will find both a clearly described structure and evidence of its development over several centuries.

Rye Culture and Landscape History

The Maison du Seigle offers a different way to explore the past. It presents rye cultivation, objects made from rye straw, thatched houses from the Morvan and horse-drawn vehicles. Rye is presented there as a symbol and testament to historical living conditions in the Morvan, from the Ancien Régime to the mid-20th century. The focus is therefore not just on a building, but also on an agricultural practice and the living conditions associated with it.

Rye cultivation disappeared in the 1950s. La Couture is a specific trace of this landscape history: this is the name of Ménessaire’s southern slope, which was once covered with rye fields. This local reference complements the Maison du Seigle’s exhibits with a named landscape. Together, the museum’s subject and the history of the slope offer two perspectives on rye: its role in historical living conditions in the Morvan and its former importance on a particular slope in Ménessaire.

Église St Aubin and Fontaine St Aubin

The present-day parish church, Église St Aubin, dates from 1834 and was built on the site of an earlier church. It is connected to the Fontaine St Aubin below, which is used for therapeutic rituals. The fountain itself also has a distinct built form: beside the path is a spring enclosed with dressed stone, with a watering trough next to it.

The Fontaine St Aubin is also associated with a rite involving prayers and drinking water on the day of Saint Aubin. The fountain is open to the public and can be visited via a municipal path; check local access before your visit. The church, spring and rite offer different points of connection to local religious history, but the traditional practice should not be taken to mean that it takes place on a regular schedule.

Views and Visit Planning

The tourist road towards Les Settons offers views of the eastern Morvan and the Auxois. This landscape perspective complements the architectural and agricultural history with two explicitly named areas in view. If you would like to include scenic views alongside historical themes when planning your trip, the road towards Les Settons is a distinct option to consider.

The Maison du Seigle offers guided tours for groups and school classes throughout the year by prior reservation. If you are planning a tour, book in advance. The Maison du Seigle is accessible to people with reduced mobility; confirm accessibility before you travel. For a visit to the Fontaine St Aubin, also take into account local access via the municipal path.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Marigny-Le-Cahouët, Rochefort-sur-Brévon, Échevronne, Thury, Asnières-en-Montagne, Ternant, Pont Royal, Saussey

For the main travel overview: Cote-Dor.