Ménétreux-Le-Pitois: Oze, Mont Réa and local history

The Oze, the foot of Mont Réa, and historic traces at the church, château, and Fontaine du Pape give Ménétreux-Le-Pitois its own distinct character. The river forms a natural boundary with Venarey-les-Laumes. Local history spans from the church, traditionally dated to 888, to uses that took place before 1914. If you are looking for a destination where you can take in both the landscape and local history, Ménétreux-Le-Pitois offers concrete points of interest for both.

Oze and Mont Réa

The Oze forms the natural boundary between Ménétreux-Le-Pitois and Venarey-les-Laumes. It also flows along the foot of Mont Réa in the landscape around Ménétreux-Le-Pitois. Together, these details create a clear picture of the area: the river marks the boundary and is also part of the landscape described at Mont Réa. If you consider the character of the surroundings when choosing where to stay, you can take this landscape into account alongside the town’s historical attractions.

The church’s history across several periods

The Église Saint-Valentin de Griselles is traditionally dated to 888. A specific renovation is recorded for 1788: the choir was rebuilt and two side chapels were added, while the nave remained unchanged. This contrast helps make the building’s development clear. Some parts were altered, but the nave remained, so the church’s history cannot be reduced to a single building phase. Another detail is the bell Renée-Virginie, consecrated in 1913. Its name and the year of its consecration add another historical trace to the information about the building.

Château: Document and towers

The oldest document about the Château de Ménétreux dates from 1578. This date refers to the document and does not automatically indicate when the building was constructed. The towers also have different stories to tell: one surviving tower is called «Tour Grise». A square tower was converted into a fortified dovecote. At the same château, then, the surviving tower and the conversion of another tower stand side by side as two distinct architectural details. For historical context, it is helpful to consider both the documented date and the specific architectural features.

Fontaine du Pape and former uses

The Fontaine du Pape adds details about everyday and craft uses to the history of the buildings. Before 1914, it served as a public washhouse. Below the fountain are basins that were used to roast hemp. Two different activities are therefore associated with the site: washing at the public fountain and roasting hemp in the basins below. These details offer a different perspective on the local heritage than the church and château, focusing on specific uses from the past.

Walking route and practical information

On the «Autour de Ménétreux-le-Pitois» walking route, you can park beside the D119a in the hamlet of Ménétreux-le-Bas; the path then leads near the village church. The route information thus connects a named parking area with a section of the path near the church. As trail conditions can change, check them before setting out. This way, you can plan the walk as a distinct part of your trip, while the historical information about the church, château, and Fontaine du Pape draws attention to other facets of the town.

Discover more destinations: Baubigny, Vertault, Thury, Gilly-Lès-Cîteaux, Val-Suzon, Chanceaux, Diancey and Ladoix-Serrigny.

For the broader travel guide: Cote-Dor.