Château de Brancion, Medieval fortress in Martailly-lès-Brancion, France.
The castle stands on a rocky promontory at 400 meters altitude between Tournus and Cluny, with thick defensive walls reaching 5 meters in width.
Built around 944, the castle belonged to the Brancion family for three centuries until 1259 when Henri III Gros sold it to Duke Hugh IV of Burgundy.
The castle includes a 12th-century Romanesque church containing the tomb of Josserand de Brancion and 13th-century frescoes depicting religious scenes.
Visitors can access the castle by following the D182 road from Tournus for 12 kilometers toward Martailly-lès-Brancion, with designated parking areas available.
Archaeological excavations revealed Bronze Age settlements and Merovingian tombs dating from the 6th to 10th centuries beneath the current structure.
Location: Martailly-lès-Brancion
GPS coordinates: 46.54750,4.79670
Latest update: June 23, 2025 09:40
Saône-et-Loire holds stories from all parts of French history. You can find caves where prehistoric people lived, like the Azé cave with its stalactites or the rocks of Solutré that overlook the vineyards. The area also has Celtic remains at Bibracte, a fortified city on the heights of Mount Beuvray. The Romanesque monasteries show the time when Cluny was the spiritual heart of medieval Europe, and its basilica served as a model for the one in Paray-le-Monial. Medieval castles like Brancion or Berzé-le-Châtel still stand on their hills, with towers and walls keeping watch over the valleys. The villages still have their solid stone Romanesque churches, castles, and squares where life goes on quietly. In Tournus, you can visit the Saint-Philibert Abbey from the tenth century and find paintings by an eighteenth-century painter at the Greuze museum. Some places are surprising, like the Blanot caves that go deep under the ground. This mix of sights lets you walk through many centuries of history while exploring the Burgundy countryside.
Château d'Ozenay
4 km
Château de Balleure
3.4 km
Château de Chevannes
3.4 km
Église Saint-Pierre de Brancion
85 m
Château de Nobles
1.1 km
Église Notre-Dame de Lancharre
3.6 km
Église Saint-Gervais-et-Saint-Protais d'Ozenay
4 km
Église Notre-Dame de La Chapelle-sous-Brancion
527 m
Pierre Levée du champ de la Fa
1.2 km
Château de Messey
3 km
Église Saint-Martin de Grevilly
4 km
Halles de Brancion
32 m
Croix Bernadotte
2 km
Croix de Brancion
336 m
Tuilerie de Chapaize
4.4 km
Église Saint-Pierre de Martailly-lès-Brancion
1.6 km
Lavoir de la place Edgard Ponthus
4.5 km
Église Saint-Sébastien de Royer
2.2 km
Église Saint-Georges de Mancey
4.2 km
Lavoir de Veneuse
4.6 km
Cemetery cross of Grevilly
4 km
Croix Saint-Aubin d'Étrigny
4.6 km
Croix de la rue de l'Église
1.6 km
Croix de cimetière de Brancion
69 m
Croix de la rue du Monument de Royer
2.3 km
Croix de Balleure
3.9 km
Croix du chemin de la Ruée
3.8 km
Croix de l'église Saint-Gervais-et-Saint-Protais d'Ozenay
4 kmReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes