The Four Winds

Just a stone's throw from Cluny, medieval city and capital of Western Christendom in the Middle Ages, the walk takes in the ridges marking the eastern border of the "sacred ban" territory.

Just a stone's throw from Cluny, medieval city and capital of Western Christendom in the Middle Ages, the walk takes in the ridges marking the eastern border of the "sacred ban" territory. Extending over a perimeter of 5 leagues around the all-powerful abbey, this non-aggression zone required you to abandon your weapons and belligerent intentions in order to enter. Crosses, such as the Montmain Cross, marked the boundaries. Part of the route follows the old Roman road, and the paths that climb the hillsides and wander over the heights take advantage of the undulating landscape and abundant forest cover. The forest house at Bourcier watches over this woodland kingdom, where the gradients are hard on the calves. At an altitude of around 500 m, the viewpoints of Quatre Vents and Fontaine des Croix reveal the Grosne valley, the Monts du Brionnais and the Monts du Mâconnais.