Balade Verte - Les Fours (VE2)
A village of Celtic origin, Vendenesse-lès-Charolles covers 2738 hectares and has a population of 805. Livestock farming dominates amid a mosaic of hedged meadows. Its 12th-century Romanesque church, the 16th-century Château de Collanges rebuilt on the ruins of an 11th-century fortress and lime kilns make up the commune?s heritage.
The Charolais region remains one of the last bastions of the French bocage. Its rolling hills and multitude of trees enliven the green meadows bordered by low hedges. Never closed in on its plots, the Charolais offers a succession of rural scenes. Animal life is omnipresent, but discreet: pheasants, rabbits and owls deserve to be seen. At the cradle of the Charolais breed, known the world over, a stop at the Maison du Charolais pays tribute to the famous bovine; as you continue your stroll, you'll never look at the VIP of the pastures the same way again. In Vendenesse-les-Charolles, the lime kilns near the quarries are a moving reminder of the region's industrial past. Three impressive brick chimneys bear unique architectural witness to the hard work of the lime kiln workers. Past and present, the path echoes our countryside and its people, restoring the beauty of the landscape to those who shaped it with courage and perseverance.
