MUST VISIT & SEE

The Morvan Natural Park is truly a nursery for Christmas trees. It’s the ideal place to pick up your tree in the days before the winter festivities. A walk along the small roads of the Morvan through coniferous forests will bathe you in the scent of pine and the spirit of the season.
So, how did this come about? It was at the end of the World War II that the ‘Morvandiaux’ bet on the cultivation of fir trees. With the changes in the representation of Christmas to the more Americanized version where the fir tree becomes the essential decorative focus, the conifer became profitable for the Burgundy region, which was already exploiting wood from its forests. The climate and the landscape have allowed local farmers to develop the fir tree as a crop on a large scale.
Nowadays, considering climate issues, some may challenge the lack of diversity of species in the forests of the Morvan but that’s another story. (Ed: We won't venture down that rocky path today).
While walking in the Morvan, you may notice that the trees that ready to be cut are labelled as early as October with the name of the recipient trader. Closer inspection will reveal that these Burgundian trees sometimes have a long journey ahead of them as they are sought-after all over Europe!
Like most of us, you can buy your tree in a gardening store that very often offers Morvan fir trees. But you can also buy from a local producer or at a Christmas market. By the way, when you're in Burgundy, you don't need to drive three hours to get that Christmas feeling! Many towns in the Morvan organise their own Christmas market where local craftsmen exhibit their wares.
These markets, which are much more reasonable in size than perhaps the famous neighbouring Christmas market in Strasbourg, are an opportunity to stroll, chat with artisans and get ideas to celebrate Christmas. You can find your table decorations, gourmet products such as chocolate, even snails, or personal gifts. (Ed: Anyone thinking of sending me a Christmas pressie can skip it… if it’s snails!!)
If you're in the Morvan this December, you'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to exploring the region's markets like those at Moulins-Engilbert, Glux-en-Glenne, Villapourçon, and many others. The local tourist office lists them with all the other outings that might interest you this winter. Check out these pages for more information
A couple of local key dates to add to the calendar are the Christmas fares in Saulieu on the 2nd & 3rd December and in Autun 9th & 10th December 2023.