The most substantial community – approximately 2500 residents – in the park itself is the rather ugly village of CHÂTEAU-CHINON, nestled in contrastingly beautiful countryside dotted with evergreens, lakes and limestone deposits (bus connection to Autun). President Mitterrand was a local council member here until 1983, and the town was the home base of his political life for half a century. Thanks largely to him, it now boasts a major hosiery factory and military printing works, both of which have provided much needed employment to an isolated and often forgotten region.In the Musée du Septennat (July & Aug daily 10am–1pm & 2–7pm; May, June & Sept daily except Tues 10am–1pm & 2–6pm; Feb–April & Oct–Dec daily except Tues 10am–noon & 2–6pm; 4 to include Musée du Costume), you can see the extraordinary variety of gifts Mitterrand received as head of state. The museum is light and airy, purpose-built to hold a collection of some of the finest handicrafts from their many countries of origin: carpets from the Middle East, ivory from Togo, Japanese puppets, beaded spears from Burundi and bizarre gifts, like a table decorated with butterfly wings. Another of the town's attractions is the Musée du Costume, 4 rue du Château (same hours and ticket as Musée du Septennat), featuring a collection of over five thousand articles, the biggest collection in France, and interesting temporary exhibitions. Mitterrand's preferred hotel was the Vieux Morvan, 8 place Gudin (tel 03.86.85.05.01, fax 03.86.85.02.78; 40–55; closed mid-Dec to end Jan), with a nice restaurant (from 17). Cheaper is the comfortable Lion d'Or, rue des Fossés (tel 03.86.85.13.56, fax 03.86.79.42.22; 30–40; restaurant from 10, closed Sun evening & Mon). There's also a campsite here, Le Perthuy d'Oiseau (tel 03.86.85.08.17; May–Sept).
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