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 Jeff Steiner's Americans in France.Resource for people that would like to live or travel in France. |
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Southern BurgundyCouches
Forgotten mines, dragon legend & miniature stonehenge
Once the mines of Couches disappeared, the village dropped les Mines. Locals wanted to change the name to Couches en Bourgogne, but that wasn't possible. There's an old borne (road marker) as you enter the village from Le Creusot, that still lists the village as Couches les Mines.
The dragon legend, locality known as la Vivre de Couches, is similar to the pied piper. Only in this legend children aren't being led away but a dragon is. The dragon according to legend was terrorizing the inhabitants of Couches. A magician, Yoata, playing his flute led the dragon to the local Château de Couches. Once Yoata had the dragon inside the Château, villagers closed the gates trapping Yoata inside with the dragon. The legend ends there but is celebrated every twenty years with a La Vivre à Couches festival. The next festival is in 2028.
The miniature Stonehenge is called Les menhirs d'Époigny and consists of five upright stones that were previously buried but are now on display in a local field. Take the road to Autun and then follow the signs.
Places to stay in Couches:
Logis Des Trois Maures
4, place de la république
71490 Couches
Domaine Les Bertrands
Les Bertrands
71490 Couches
Château de Couches
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