Attractions and Places To See around Ouanne - Top 20

The town of Toucy has very ancient origins. The region was in fact associated with the exploitation of iron during the Celtic period and until around the 3rd century. Toucy then belonged to the family of Germain, bishop of Auxerre (418-448), who donated it to his church. At the beginning of the 12th century, fortifications and a chapel were built, the latter being the only one preserved entirely in elevation and included in the current church. This is a Romanesque room. It is also on the remains of the ramparts from the beginning of the 12th century that the church leans. The enclosure was completely retaken around 1170. Its remains are still visible in the city. The location of Toucy made it a long-time source of discord between the Duchy of Burgundy and the Kingdom of France, particularly during the Hundred Years' War. In 1423, the city was taken and destroyed by Burgundian troops, during the time of Philip the Good. The old church, which dated from the 13th century, was ravaged on this occasion, but it was rebuilt shortly after and appropriate means were put in place to defend it. This reconstruction took place between 1445 and 1522. At the apse, we can see two fortified towers (mid-15th century): the "Bishops' Tower", equipped with gunboats and also the most impressive, as well as the "Saint-Michel Tower" are connected by a walkway which only received battlements at the end of the 19th century during a rather drastic restoration of the monument. The nave dates from the 16th century. Not far from the church, below, on the Market Square, you can see a beautiful brick and half-timbered house (16th century). https://bourgognemedievale.com/departement-et-pays/yonne/pays-puisaye-forterre/toucy/

City of character which deserves to be among the most beautiful villages in France with a little more development. To have : 1 - the castle and the small surrounding village after a beautiful climb from the village. 2 - the pond hidden behind the houses in the center. A quiet corner with a beautiful overview of the village. There you will understand where the name Belles Fontaines comes from.

It was only at the end of the 12th century that the current castle of Druyes appears in the texts. Previously, during the 11th century, a first wooden castle would have been built on the site of the said castle. Druyes is part of the first generation of castles from the time of King Philippe Auguste. It is built on a square plan of 52.3 meters per side. It is an imposing building which is one of the most important specimens of military architecture from the Romanesque period in Burgundy. Private property, the castle is open to visitors. It is reached by crossing the postern which is the gateway to the fortified village, where absolute calm seems to reign. The castle dominates the town of character of Druyes Les Belles Fontaines, which deserves to be listed among the most beautiful villages in France, if it were a little better highlighted. Note a beautiful climb to climb from the village to the castle

Fortified Gate - classified as a historic monument. This gate is part of the enclosure of the lower courtyard of the castle which crowned the rock overlooking the valley and dominating the only possible crossing of the river. A second gate existed on the current rue de la Rampe. The enclosure dates from the 12th century. It was protected, to the east, by four still visible towers, one of which has just been restored. On the west coast, the enclosure appears as a very large wall, 2 m thick and 4 m high. It is incorporated into gardens and houses, but still visible. It was lined with a dry ditch. The postern did not include a drawbridge. It was closed by a heavy double door, the stone pivot cups of which can still be seen in the lower part. The machicolations made it possible to throw stones at the attackers. They probably date from the 14th century. This door has been classified as a historic monument since May 9, 1888.

6th century: primitive church built by Saint-Romain, destroyed by a fire at the end of the 11th century. 12th century: current Romanesque church: very pure plan, three-bay nave with apses in the extension. Flat transsept. 14th century: construction of the Notre-Dame de la Pitié chapel on the lower north side. 15th century: construction of the defense tower enclosing the staircase, raising of the transept with the incorporation of Gothic glass roofs. 19th century: construction of the sacristy, installation of stained glass windows, transfer of the cemetery surrounding the church. Decoration in the portal and capitals, borrows from Arab and Roman styles. Bell installed in 1881 "Constance", diameter: 1.215 m, weight: 1066 kg replaces "Perette", dating from 1642. The church was classified as a historic monument on May 9, 1888.

Beautiful 12th century castle visible from afar. Entrance costs 5 euros (as of 2021). Out of season the castle is only open on weekends. There is even a circular hiking trail where the castle is almost always visible. www.chateau-de-druyes.com

Bridge built at the time of the fortified castle and the church (12th century). It replaced a wooden bridge established over a ford by Saint Romain in the 6th century. In the Middle Ages, bridge and castle went hand in hand because any river crossing gave rise to a toll. In 1859, the bridge, which was 5.50 m wide, was widened by 2.50 m to adapt it to the transformation of the main roads into secondary roads. During 2004, it was completely renovated.

A 12th-century chapel was all that remained from the devastation of the Hundred Years' War. In the 16th century the church was rebuilt in the ruins of the old castle. The result was a castle church with mighty walls, cannon embrasures and defensive towers. Please note the sculptures on the south wall. The interior is higher and more impressive than you might expect. A beautiful, balanced architecture and magnificent stained glass windows from the late 19th century. Unfortunately the church is usually closed. However, mass is at 10:30 every Sunday.