--- title: "Morvan Regional Nature Park: Lakes, Forests, Where to Start" description: "A granite massif of forests and lakes, a regional nature park since 1970. Start at the Maison du Parc in Saint-Brisson, 1 h 15 from Beaune by driver." url: https://www.cote-privee.com/things-to-do/parc-naturel-regional-du-morvan lang: en updated: 2026-09-30 generated: 2026-10-08 image: https://www.cote-privee.com/og/things-to-do/parc-naturel-regional-du-morvan.png --- # Morvan Regional Nature Park (Parc naturel régional du Morvan) > Morvan Regional Nature Park: Burgundy's little mountain of granite, forests and lakes, with its park headquarters at Saint-Brisson. Morvan Regional Nature Park is in Saint-Brisson (Nièvre), 1 h 04 by road (82 km) from Beaune. Allow half a day to a full day · Private driver from Beaune: €230 one way for the whole car, up to 4 guests. The Morvan is a low granite massif of forests, hedged fields, rivers and lakes at the heart of Burgundy, west of Beaune. Since 1970 it has been protected as a regional nature park spanning four departments. The Maison du Parc at Saint-Brisson is the natural place to start, with gardens, trails and small museums. ## Key facts - Type: Nature & viewpoints - Where: Saint-Brisson · Nièvre - Location: 65 km north-west of Beaune · Nièvre - Coordinates: 47.2758, 4.0966 - 1 h 04 from Beaune - Allow half a day to a full day - Saint-Brisson - Official website: [parcdumorvan.org](https://www.parcdumorvan.org/) - From Beaune: ≈ 1 h 04 · 82 km - €230 one way from Beaune with a [private driver](https://www.cote-privee.com/private-driver) ## Getting there - [Private driver from Beaune](https://www.cote-privee.com/private-driver): 1 h 04 by road (82 km), €230 one way for the whole car. Coming by train or plane? [Transfers from stations and airports](https://www.cote-privee.com/transfers) Estimates per vehicle for up to 4 guests, tolls included. Your price is confirmed when you book. ## History The regional nature park was created on 16 October 1970, on the initiative of Paul Flandin, a local councillor from the Yonne. It set out to protect the landscape while supporting the local economy and tourism. Its charter has been renewed several times, most recently in 2021, and it now brings together some 133 member communes across the Côte-d'Or, Nièvre, Saône-et-Loire and Yonne. The park bought the estate of Saint-Brisson in 1975 to house its headquarters. The main buildings, a château and its outbuildings, date from 1802 and 1803. They replaced a 17th-century manor attacked during the Revolution in 1793. Below the house lies the Étang Taureau, a reservoir once used to float logs down the river towards Paris, a trade at the heart of Morvan life until the 1920s. ## What you will see At Saint-Brisson, the park's tourist office gives maps and ideas for walks across the Morvan. A discovery trail follows the shore of the Étang Taureau, and an arboretum presents 17 kinds of tree found in the massif, with a garden of herbs beside the château. The same estate holds the Musée de la Résistance en Morvan and the Maison des Hommes et des Paysages, part of the Morvan ecomuseum. ## Planning your visit Saint-Brisson is about 1 hour 15 minutes from Beaune. Allow half a day for the estate and a walk, or a full day with the Lac des Settons or Saulieu. Morvan roads are winding, so allow extra time. Please check the official website for opening times of the Maison du Parc and its museums. ## Did you know? The estate of the Maison du Parc covers 40 hectares. Its Étang Taureau was once a flushing reservoir, released to send loose logs floating down towards Paris. ## Around Morvan Regional Nature Park What to combine with Morvan Regional Nature Park on the same day, nearest first. ### Châteaux - [Château de La Roche-en-Brenil](https://www.cote-privee.com/chateaux/chateau-de-la-roche-en-brenil) (14 km away): A moated château on the edge of the Morvan, saved from demolition by the writer Charles de Montalembert. - [Château de Ménessaire](https://www.cote-privee.com/chateaux/chateau-de-menessaire) (16 km away): A Morvan castle under glazed-tile roofs, with a rediscovered 17th-century painted ceiling and guest rooms. - [Château de Chastellux](https://www.cote-privee.com/chateaux/chateau-de-chastellux) (20 km away): A towered fortress at the gateway to the Morvan, still lived in by the family of its name. ### Things to do - [Museum of the Resistance in the Morvan (Musée de la Résistance en Morvan)](https://www.cote-privee.com/things-to-do/musee-de-la-resistance-en-morvan), 1 km away: The story of the Morvan maquis, told in the heart of the forests where they fought. - [Pierre-qui-Vire Abbey (Abbaye Sainte-Marie de la Pierre-qui-Vire)](https://www.cote-privee.com/things-to-do/abbaye-de-la-pierre-qui-vire), 10 km away: A living Benedictine monastery deep in the Morvan forest, beside a legendary rocking stone. - [Basilica of Saint-Andoche, Saulieu (Basilique Saint-Andoche)](https://www.cote-privee.com/things-to-do/basilique-saint-andoche-saulieu), 10 km away: A Romanesque church on the old Paris to Lyon road, famous for its carved capitals. ### Restaurants - [La Côte d’Or (Relais Bernard Loiseau)](https://www.cote-privee.com/restaurants/la-cote-d-or-saulieu), 10 km away · 2 MICHELIN stars: Bernard Loiseau's house in Saulieu: two stars and a century of Burgundian grand cuisine ### Events - **A weekend in early October.** · [Fête de l’Automne et des Associations du Morvan](https://www.cote-privee.com/events/fete-de-l-automne-et-des-associations-du-morvan): The Morvan's autumn fair at the park headquarters, with farm produce, fruit pressing and local societies. (Food & markets · Saint-Brisson) ## Questions about Morvan Regional Nature Park ### How far is Morvan Regional Nature Park from Beaune? Morvan Regional Nature Park is about 1 h 04 from Beaune by road (82 km). With a private driver, the trip from Beaune starts at €230 for the whole car, up to 4 guests. ### How long does a visit to Morvan Regional Nature Park take? For the visit, allow half a day to a full day. ### When is Morvan Regional Nature Park open? Opening days and times change during the year, so check the official website (parcdumorvan.org) before you go. Your driver can plan the day around them. ### Can a private driver take us to Morvan Regional Nature Park? Yes. Your driver collects you in Beaune or at your hotel in an electric Polestar 2 (up to 4 guests), waits while you visit and plans the rest of the day with you. The driver speaks English, French, Mandarin Chinese and Arabic. → [Private driver from Beaune](https://www.cote-privee.com/private-driver) ## Book - [Book a driver here](https://www.cote-privee.com/book?service=driver&place=sight:morvan): €230 one way from Beaune · up to 4 guests ## Sources - --- Canonical page: