The best running trails around Montaron

The photo does not correspond to the St Honoré thermal baths but to the old Morvan hotel with the restaurant of the current casino in the glass roof.

While this bridge allows you to cross the Aron River with a beautiful view of the river, when you look up you cannot ignore the statue of Notre-Dame du Nivernais which dominates from its abutment in the center of the city.

In 1723 there was a glassworks in Vandenesse. In the 18th century the riches of Vandenesse gave rise to quarries, mines, forges, a metallurgical furnace, a fulling mill, an oil mill and mills as well as a nuns' convent which closed around 1970. At the end of the 19th century the village turned to agriculture and livestock. In the 20th century industrial and artisanal activities stopped, during the rural exodus the village became depopulated. Today tourists can admire the pretty village and the Castle.

You will notice that most castles are located in strategic defensive positions, which is not the case with this castle. But the region around the castle is crossed by the Dragne river which served as a natural defense on one side. The castle is privately owned, but can be admired from the main road.

The Romans built the original spring there and this small town became a very important city. However, nothing remains of this city. The city was eventually sacked and left in ruins by barbarian invasions in the 5th century. In the 11th century, monks used the remains of Roman buildings to build their priory. The source itself was covered by a pond created by the monks. In summer, when the water level dropped, silt and mud were used by local peasants to cure rheumatism and skin problems. The baths were rediscovered in the 18th century when the dam was destroyed by a storm and the resulting flood exposed the springs below.

You will notice that most of the castles are located in strategic defensive positions, which is not the case with this castle. But the region around the castle is crossed by the river Dragne which served as a natural defense on one side. The castle is private property, but it can be admired from the main road.

The Romans built the original spring there and this small town became a very important city. However, nothing remains of this city. The city was eventually sacked and left in ruins by barbarian invasions in the 5th century. In the 11th century, monks used the remains of Roman buildings to build their priory. The source itself was covered by a pond created by the monks. In summer, when the water level dropped, silt and mud were used by local peasants to cure rheumatism and skin problems. The baths were rediscovered in the 18th century when the dam was destroyed by a storm and the resulting flood exposed the springs below.

You will notice that most of the castles are located in strategic defensive positions, which is not the case with this castle. But the region around the castle is crossed by the river Dragne which served as a natural defense on one side. The castle is private property, but it can be admired from the main road.