Gourdon is a town in Saône-et-Loire, in Burgundy and Franche-Comte, about ten kilometers southeast of the center of Montceau-les-Mines.
If the territory of the city covers 25 sq km, the historic center of Gourdon focuses atop a small hill, 518 meters above sea level, where the silhouette of the Romanesque church loose.
The long rural vocation of the town has evolved with the development of the coal basin at the turn of the twentieth century and the neighboring city of Montceau-les-Mines: subdivisions north of Gourdon boosted its demographics (now just over 900 inhabitants) and provide urban continuity with the city. On the southern Gourdon, however, the landscape remained rural and agricultural.
The long history of the resort, where a monastery was established in the early Middle Ages has left a legacy of premier heritage.
The ancient village that dominates the territory, thus proves very pleasant to discover the "nature" recreation enthusiasts may also enjoy a green environment.
Dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption, the village church is the jewel of the heritage of the town. It was built in the eleventh and twelfth century in Romanesque style influenced by the architecture deployed in Cluny (the famous monastic center is remote than thirty kilometers). The tripartite testifies nave. Built in sandstone, the church is renowned for its rich interior decor where we observe more than 90 sculpted capitals representing mostly leaves but also of animals and men. Moreover, in 1940, remarkable murals were uncovered under the plaster that covered them before. The entire building has been carefully restored in the 1980s: in addition to the murals were reclaimed coated the choir and the apse but the roof which includes parts lava stone tiles and other "channel". A visit (free) this masterpiece Historical Monument in 1900 is a must! Information at +33 3 85 79 80 03.
On the church square, still perched on top of the town, we can see a good example of cross hosannière offering (funerary vocation), with a desk. It also dates from the Middle Ages.
However, another part of the history and heritage are Gourdon is preserved: it is the Treasury discovered in 1845. It is a set of silverware (chalice, paten - plate for present the host - in gold and enamels, coins) dating from the Merovingian (sixth century). Now these precious objects probably from a monastery in the Middle Ages are kept in the cabinet of medals from the National Library of France in Paris.
Besides some remains of walls and cachet of streets and houses, the last major element of the heritage of the village is the castle of the wells (or Ezpuits), below the hill. Of medieval origin, it consists of buildings of seventeenth and eighteenth centuries arranged to form a U-shaped courtyard accessible through a doorway. The house is covered with flat tiles and flanked by round towers with conical roofs. A dovecote, a chapel with a bell tower or an old well granite add to the charm of the castle whose rooms have exposed beam ceilings to the French. A French garden and a park complete the package, still privately owned, which unfortunately can not be visited. The noble figure can still be observed from the outside.
Once admired all these elements up to "nature" recreation. Hiking trails through the town, dotted with built elements but also rural and woodlots reminiscent Charolais terroir. We will not forget the panoramic views from the hill and the town. Some loops join Montceau-les-Mines and above the Canal du Center and its banks also perfect for hiking... Maps and information +33 3 85 55 02 46.
For those who prefer a horseback ride in the heart of Burgundy, Monthury equestrian center with instructors trained in Saumur offers guided walks. Information at +33 3 85 57 01 48.