Gâcogne: Hiking and Heritage

Gâcogne is part of the Morvan Regional Natural Park. When planning a trip, nature and outdoor activities go hand in hand with the area’s architectural and local history. Hiking, trail rides and other forms of horseback riding are among the activities Gâcogne is suited to. Cultural highlights include the Church of Saint-Pierre-lès-Liens, the Château de Saugny, dovecotes, washhouses and fountains.

Landscape and outdoor activities

Gâcogne is well suited to hiking; trail rides and other forms of horseback riding are also among the options. The hilly landscape and green natural areas shape the surroundings, while wooded mountains encircle the area. Gâcogne is also near the banks of the Anguison. On foot and on horseback, you can experience different ways of enjoying the outdoors. If you are planning a specific hiking or riding route, check its course locally.

Architecture and heritage

The Château de Saugny is one of Gâcogne’s 16th-century châteaux and is a private residence. The present-day Church of Saint-Pierre-lès-Liens is Neo-Romanesque and was built between 1871 and 1875. It was built in the 19th century after an earlier church, which is thought to have dated from the 12th century. The presumed date of the predecessor church should be distinguished from the construction of the present building.

An accessible crypt lies beneath the ambulatory. A key to visit the church is available at the town hall; confirm that this access is available before your visit. If you would like to see the crypt, check access to it in advance as well. Local heritage also includes numerous dovecotes and washhouses, as well as fountains. These buildings and structures add further facets of local history to the château and church. The washhouses reflect communal laundry as part of daily life in the past.

Traces of the Morvan Railway

The former Brassy-Gâcogne station is located near Gâcogne. It stands as a reminder of the history of the Morvan Railway, the “Tacot du Morvan,” which ran between Corbigny and Saulieu from 1901 to 1939. The nearby hamlet of La Gare served the communities of Brassy and Gâcogne. M. André was stationmaster at Brassy-Gâcogne from 1901 to 1930. The time periods differ: his tenure ended in 1930, while the railway continued operating until 1939. If you would like to visit the former station, confirm access beforehand.

The historical references range from the 16th-century château and the present-day 19th-century church building to the Morvan Railway of the early 20th century. Alongside these is the predecessor church, which is only presumed to have dated from the 12th century. The area’s architectural history and the region’s transport history offer distinct but complementary themes.

Discover more destinations: Champvert, Sougy-Sur-Loire, Onlay, Marzy, Ouroux, Cossaye, Colméry, Alligny-En-Morvan

For the overview of the wider area: Nièvre.