Épinac / Autun

In the heart of the Morvan Range, Epinac’s former railway station carries the surprising name of Epinac les Mines. That’s because, just behind the station, stands the Hottinguer Mine, constructed in 1863, at that time with the deepest mineshaft in France, descending 623m underground. There are no more miners with coal-blackened faces here today, but discover the place’s industrial heritage at the Musée de la Mine, de la Verrerie et du Chemin de Fer. A bit further on, the Château de Sully, a Renaissance gem, can be reached from the greenway via a magnificent tree-lined alley and makes an uplifting stop. End this stage at the city of Autun on its hillside slope, far removed from the hustle and bustle of the modern world, boasting many Roman vestiges.

The Route

Greenway signposted and well laid out across 13km between Epinac and Dracy-St-Loup.
The route is well surfaced along the former railway track. There are kilometre markers along the way.

Take care: the surface is rough (in fact an earthen farm track) at the level of La Vesvres, with climbs and descents. Along the D681 road before Autun, there is a stretch on grass, but with significant rainwater channels across the way at points.

Link

From the greenway, an easy, short link (just 0.8km long) enables you to reach the Renaissance Château de Sully, which you can visit – but remember to reserve in advance.

Don't miss

• Épinac: the Hottinguer Mine; the Musée de la Mine, de la Verrerie et du Chemin de Fer
• Sully: the Renaissance château, nicknamed Burgundy’s Fontainebleau 
• Autun: St Lazarus Cathedral and the fountain; the Musée Rolin; the Roman theatre; the Roman gates, the Porte d’Arroux and Porte St-André; the town ramparts and Tour des Ursulines; the Temple to Janus; the Natural History Museum