Discover Couches: château, vineyards and history

Couches brings together historic buildings and a hilly landscape, vineyards and opportunities for hiking. These attractions also differ in how visits can be planned—from a clearly described hiking route to sights with specific access conditions.

Hiking trails and scenery

The Les Montagnes hiking trail is an easy 7.3-kilometre route. It starts in the square in front of the town hall and offers views of the Couches vineyards and the Dheune Valley. For this trail, the distance, difficulty level, starting point and views are all specified. Couches also has hiking and mountain biking trails, as well as a circular route to the washhouses.

The town’s landscape is hilly and defined by extensive vineyards where wines with Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée status are produced. Visitors interested in walking tours will find other hiking options in addition to Les Montagnes; mountain biking trails are also available. The circular route to the washhouses offers a distinctive alternative, while the guided rides by E’trott Evasion provide a different way to explore: the company organises rides on off-road electric scooters through the vineyards, hedgerows and château landscapes of the Couchois area. Check the latest operating details before taking a ride.

Buildings and history

The Château de Couches is a medieval fortress dating from the 11th and 15th centuries. Its park and interiors are open to visitors. The Eglise Saint-Martin brings together several historic features: the church dates from 1480, its portals and windows are in the Flamboyant Late Gothic style, and it has 17th-century woodwork. The Chapelle Saint-Philibert within the church houses a painting of the Crucifixion from 1646, which is classified as a Historic Monument of France.

The history of the Prieuré Saint-Georges begins with a monastery built in the 7th century and rebuilt in the 9th century. In 1098, it became a priory associated with Flavigny Abbey. The exterior of the Prieuré can be viewed. Interior visits are possible on Fridays as part of the tourist office’s guided walks, subject to availability and confirmation by the town hall. Check these conditions before your visit.

Le Vieil Hôpital was built in 1565 as a priest’s residence and converted into a hospital in 1685; it retained this function until 1816. The building is privately owned and can only be viewed from the outside. As access information may change, check it before your trip. The Tour Guérin can also only be viewed from the outside. Its history goes back to a treaty of 1186 that granted royal protection to the monks; the present building dates from the 15th century.

The Menhirs d’Epoigny take visitors much further back in time: the group consists of seven menhirs erected by Neolithic people around 5,000 years ago. Together with the buildings from the Middle Ages and the early modern period, they offer visitors to Couches several distinct points of historical interest.

Events in Couches

The legend of La Vivre has been brought to life in Couches every 20 years since 1888, with historical re-enactments, floats, music groups and medieval-themed events. The next edition is scheduled for 2028. In addition, the Les Chevaliers de l’Arquebuse society organises the Fête de l’Oiseau in Couches every July. If an event is important to your travel plans, check the dates or current programme in advance.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Saillenard, Verdun-Sur-Le-Doubs, Mazille, Saint-Usuge, Chagny, Saint-Rémy, Cronat, Toutenant.

For the broader travel overview: Saône-Et-Loire.