River Cure
The river Cure is only a short walk
from the cottage and is so picturesque and varied, that you could plan a
whole touring holiday around it. Châteaux, the medieval town of Vézelay,
lakes, waterfalls and mineral springs are just some of the treasures en
route. The countryside goes through forests, limestone cliffs and caves,
and finally vineyards over the river’s 80 km course.
The source of the Cure is near Anost deep in the granite highlands of the
Morvan Forest and it flows right through this National Park on a south
east to north west axis. This is the famous lakes district of Burgundy. As
well as the ‘big five’ lakes (Pannecière, Settons, St.Agnan, Chaumeçon,
Crescent) there are smaller lakes dotted throughout the wooded landscape,
each one being rich in fish and birdlife.
Gouloux with its waterfall is a
particularly pretty area to take a walk through the forest, alive in
springtime with an abundance of wild flowers and ferns. On a sunny day,
the rays of light bursting through the branches make you catch your
breath. The Cure drops in, and
out, of Lac-les-Settons where water sports of all description turn it into
a tourist attraction during the summer months.
Then it travels on, close to St-Brisson where the Musée de la Résistance
is based. Being right in the habitat, soaking up the atmosphere where the
freedom fighters were in hiding, brings the museum to life (commentary is
also in English). The villages around such as Montsauche-les-Settons and
Dun-les-Places, suffered terribly during the Second World War.
The river now flows in, and out, of Lac du Crescent near Quarré-les-Tombes,
a reservoir completed in 1933, to supply hydro electricity.
Ahead, the fairytale castle of Chastellux-sur-Cure rises out of the
forest. Oak, beech and chestnut trees thrive, along with large conifer
plantations with pine trees and more recently, the lucrative Christmas
trees. The Cure was part of the transport system in times gone by, taking
the logs from the Morvan forests to Paris to keep the capital warm.
|
