Morvan overview
Morvan Regional Park, located in the heart of Burgundy, is a perfect destination for nature lovers. Its granite mountains and hills are covered with forest, significant lakes, a lot of ponds and rivers flowing throught a hilly landscape reaching up to 901 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 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 foot 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
You can fish from the shores or from a boat. For further information see Tourist office web site.
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 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 or bistrot in jully and august)
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)
Signposted mountain bike trails and GTM route
Bicycle routes for road bikes and gravels
Discover the other lakes (Pannecière, Saint-Agnan, Chaumeçon…)
Star observation, Morvan Regional Natural Park has become an International Dark Sky Reserve
Horse riding around Saint-Agnan
Rafting in the Cure or in the Chalaux rivers
Rock climbing, around Dun-Les-Places
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…
Bibracte museum-park (Gallo-Roman city), both an archaeological site and a place for hiking around Mont-Beuvray
The Cité des Présents in Château-Chinon, two museums (history of mode and diplomatic gifts) in one place
Bazoche Castle, home of Marshal Vauban
Historical cities of the Morvan such as Autun, Saulieu, Avallon or Vézelay and its famous basilica.
A movie night in Anost or at the Clap in Ouroux-en-morvan!
… And the main summer events!
Stay up to date with all the news and events in the Tourist office newsletter
Dancing balls and fireworks in the surrounding villages
The Settons festival, around the lake with gigs and shows
Festival Radaboom in Moux-en-morvan, circus and gigs
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 Morvan pottery factory, which presents a wide range of hand-turned and decorated pottery, along the tourist route of Lac des Settons
The Marchand clog factory in Gouloux: it’s possible to visit the clogs workshop and see the traditional manufacturing process
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.
