Morvan overview
The Morvan Regional Park, located in the heart of Burgundy, is first of all a perfect destination for nature lovers. Its granite mountains and hills are covered with forest, significant lakes, a lot of ponds and rivers crisscrossing a hilly landscape reaching up to 950 meters in altitude. This environment is therefore ideal for many outdoor activities: walking, hiking, road cycling, mountain biking, sailing, fishing, water sports … It is also a territory with a strong historical and cultural identity, that you can discover through museums, craft workshops, producers and gastronomy, or various events, especially during the summer season (festivals, concerts, markets…).
The map below will show you the main activities located near the campsite. You can find additional information on the websites of the Tourist Office and the Park House.
The Settons Lake
Water activities at the lake
Beach and swimming
You can find a quiet and shaded beach just 200 meters away from the campsite entrance, accessible by a pedestrian path. The shores of the lake also offer many other small beaches suitable for families and children. The supervised swimming area is located on the Branlasses peninsula, 7 kilometers away from the campsite.
Sailing
It is possible to sail, to paddle or to pilot motor boats (see regulations) and you can also try a guided tour of the lake on one of the two riverboats “Les Settons” or Le Morvan. If you have your own boat, a few access points to the water are located around the lake, such as the marina. You can naturally make a booking for a rental: canoes & stand-up paddles are available at the campsite (see Bike and nautical rentals), catamarans, windsurf boards, dinghies, kayaks and pedal boats at the leisure center Activital.
Inflatable games
At the tail of the lake, children and youths may have a bit of fun at the AquaPark which floats on the water from June to September. You can also find pedal boats there.
Fishing
Fishing predators (e.g. pikes, pikeperchs, perchs), carps, white fishes or even crayfishes, providing you get a fishing permit from the Tourist Office. A night carp fishing course is also available from March to June and from September to October.
Main other activities around the Settons lake
Shaded walks or mountain bike rides, on the signposted paths around the lake (about 15 kilometers long). Mountain bikes are available to rent at the campsite and electric bikes at the Tourist Office or Activital Leisure Center. Nature animators from the Morvan Park also organize guided walks around and from the lake.
Playground for children and beach in Chevigny
Birdwatching on the wooden footbridge at the tail of the lake
Regular guided tours of the Settons dam, organized by the Tourist Office (July-August only)
Visit of the “Ma P’tite École” Museum, a typical old classroom reconstitution.
Catering in one of the many bars, restaurants or snack bars around the lake (including the campsite bistrot)
Visit and shopping at the Morvan pottery factory
Refuelling at the small grocery store/souvenirs by the dam, at the delicatessen “La Grange à Loup” or at the campsite grocery
Outdoor activities
Outdoor activities in Morvan
Small family walks and hikes or longest ones along the GR13 trail (possible link to the Official Morvan Tour and the “Chemin de Compostelle Vézelay/Cluny”)
Signposted mountain bike trails and GTM routes
- Signposted bicycle circuits balisés
- Discovery of the other Morvan lakes (Pannecière, Saint-Agnan, Chaumeçon…)
- Rafting on the Cure or on the Chalaux rivers
Rock climbing, especially around Dun-Les-Places
Tree climbing in Avallon
Cultural activities
Here are a few ideas…
The Morvan ecomuseum, a network of 9 different buildings, where you can delve into the history and the particularities of the Morvan Park and its inhabitants
- The musuem “Ma P’tite École”, a typical old classroom reconstitution
The Park’s House, an educational place where the flora and fauna of the region are particularly honored with apiaries, a herbularium, an orchard, discovery trails…
The Bibracte museum-park (Gallo-Roman city), both an archaeological site and a place for hiking around Mont-Beuvray
The prehistoric park of Cardoland with dinosaur sculptures, a decorated cave, a small museum, and animations
The Château-Chinon Museums (under construction)
The Bazoche Castle, home of Marshal Vauban
Historical cities of the Morvan such as Autun, Avallon, or Vézelay and its famous cathedral, including Dijon a little further away (around 1h15)
- A movie night at Anost, “the prettiest little cinema in the world”!
… And the main summer events!
Dancing balls and fireworks in all the surrounding villages
“Parties de Campagne”, a short film festival in Ouroux-en-Morvan
The Lormes French Song Festival
- “Jaune Moutarde”, an intercultural festival in Brassy
Blueberry and Forest Festival in Glux-en-Glenne
Accordion Festival in Luzy
Vielle Festival in Anost
In July and August, you could also enjoy a music concert or a little show organized every weekend at the campsite bar! (see Animations)
Crafts and local products
Local crafts near the campsite
The Marchand clog factory in Gouloux: it’s possible to visit the clogs workshop and see the traditional manufacturing process
The Morvan pottery factory, which presents a wide range of hand-turned and decorated pottery, along the tourist route of Lac des Settons
The little Bee musuem near Château-Chinon
Local food and products
In the past few years, many producers have settled down in the Morvan. You will find a selection of their products at the grocery shop or at the campsite bistrot (see Nos fournisseurs). Most of them frequently sell their goods on local markets and some of them will be happy to have you come by their farm.
The “Valeurs Parc” label awarded by the Morvan Park, distinguishes around thirty producers in different sectors: beef and sheepmeat, honey, cheese and dairy products, fruit and vegetable production, plants and flowers, trout, snails, wine, poultry and eggs. These producers certify not to use GMOs, to practice “reasoned agriculture”, to conserve the landscape and preserve biodiversity, to take into account environmental issues and animal welfare, as well as to perpetuate the typical know-how of their territory. Some “Valeurs Parc” labeled farmers, along with other small farmers involved in the territory, have came together around the Morvan Terroirs association in order to promote and sell their produce.
