A small protected limestone hillside in the Haut-Mâconnais, known for its wild orchids and warm-dry oak woodland.
Site naturel protégé de la Boucherette
The Site naturel protégé de la Boucherette is a modest 104-hectare protected natural area in the Haut-Mâconnais, in the commune of Lugny in Saône-et-Loire, Burgundy. Set on the south-facing slope of the Bois de Charvençon and overlooking the vineyards of the Lugny wine area and the Saône valley, it protects a characteristic dry limestone landscape of calcareous grassland, box (buis) scrubland, and pubescent oak woodland.
The site is best known for its exceptional variety of wild orchids, with around a dozen species of Orchis and Ophrys flowering in late spring. It is also valued for its panoramic viewpoint, the heritage of its old stone-quarrying and roof-tile workings, and the trail it offers for botanists, school groups, and casual walkers. The Conservatoire d'espaces naturels de Bourgogne has managed the land since 2000, combining volunteer conservation work with public education.
Although small, the Boucherette plays a distinctive role in the regional network of natural sites in Saône-et-Loire, where it is one of eight protected spaces managed by the Conservatoire. Its combination of Mediterranean-influenced flora, historical land use, and accessible trail makes it a particularly attractive site for nature discovery in the Mâconnais region.
