Grevilly: Church, History and Hiking Trails

Grevilly combines architectural history at the Romanesque Église Saint-Martin and the protected site with hiking: the Tournus–Lugny stage passes through the village, while “Lugny, le Mâconnais Panoramique” lies in the wider regional area. The Église Saint-Martin, the history of the church site and the trails towards Lugny give a trip different focuses: architectural history, scenery or a longer hiking stage.

When looking for a hotel for your stay, you can first consider whether you mainly want to explore the church building and its history or include Grevilly as a stop on a hike. For hike planning, it helps to distinguish the stage that passes through the village from another regional route.

Romanesque Church and Early Settlement

The Église Saint-Martin de Grevilly is a Romanesque church dating from the first quarter of the 12th century. The classified site bears the title “Église, cimetière avec ses plantations de sapins et mur de clôture” and was protected on 24 March 1942. The title refers to the church, the cemetery with its fir tree plantings and the perimeter wall.

Archaeological excavations in 2019 showed that the church site was already inhabited during the Merovingian period, between the 5th and 8th centuries. They also uncovered earlier features beneath the present foundations. This means the documented history of the site goes back further than the Romanesque church building.

Individual architectural and decorative details also give the church its distinctive character. The apse of Saint-Martin has retained its stone-slab roofing, known as lauzes. Saint-Martin de Grevilly also houses a polychrome wooden statue of the crowned Virgin Mary. The Stations of the Cross lithographs were restored with financial support from the local association.

The Saint-Martin de Grevilly association regularly holds exhibitions and concerts in the church to fund its restoration. If you would like to plan your trip around such a programme, check in advance whether an event is scheduled for your dates.

Scenery and Trails around Grevilly

The classified site, with its church and cemetery, lies near the summit of a hill in the Mâconnais range. From there, views extend over the surrounding valleys and the village of Brancion. The landscape and church site are therefore both defining features of a stay in Grevilly.

The Mâcon-Cruzille appellation area also includes, along its eastern edge, the eastern slope of the short Lugny range on either side of the village of Grevilly. Together with the vineyard paths along the hiking stage, this connection reflects the area's relationship with winegrowing and the landscape.

The most scenic approach by car is via Ozenay and Chavy. This is followed by a three-kilometre winding climb through a wooded section. When planning your route, you can take account of both the direction of approach and the nature of this climb.

Hiking: a Stage through the Village and a Regional Route

The hiking stage from Tournus to Lugny passes through Grevilly and follows the GR 76B. It is moderately difficult, 20.1 kilometres long and takes about five hours and 30 minutes. The section near Grevilly follows wide panoramic trails and passes through vineyards; along the way, there are views of medieval Brancion.

The marked hiking trail “Lugny, le Mâconnais Panoramique” is also in the wider regional area. It is moderately difficult and 16.1 kilometres long. The route follows scenic trails, passes notable buildings and winds along vineyard paths.

Both trails are rated as moderately difficult, but differ in length and geographical scope. The Tournus–Lugny stage explicitly passes through Grevilly; “Lugny, le Mâconnais Panoramique” is located in the wider regional area. If you are specifically looking for a hike through the village, this distinction can help you choose.

Before setting out, check the latest route information, trail conditions and signage.

Discover more destinations: La Chapelle-De-Guinchay, Fuissé, Saint-Jean-De-Vaux, Montagny-Sur-Grosne, Tintry, Tournus, Chagny, Chamilly.

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