The best walks and hikes around Mézilles

The Sint-Jans-de-Doperkerk (French: Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste) in Saint-Sauveur-en-Puisaye (Burgundy, France) is an 11th-century church known for its striking lack of a bell tower. Due to lightning strikes on the iron-rich sandstone and an underground spring, the tower has been repeatedly destroyed in the past and ultimately omitted. The church was originally built in 1020 and later rebuilt in 1107 and 1120. It lies just outside the walls of the old medieval center of Saint-Sauveur-en-Puisaye. Unlike most traditional village churches, this church has no tower. The specific reason for this is attributed to the geological nature of the soil (iron-rich sandstone) in combination with an underground spring that attracted lightning. Saint-Sauveur-en-Puisaye is also the birthplace of the famous French writer Colette. The village is part of a larger network of historical churches and medieval murals in the region. The church is simply furnished. If you are in the area, it is definitely worth visiting to experience all that simplicity.

The Église Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul in Moutiers-en-Puisaye (Burgundy, France) is an 11th-century Romanesque church, world-renowned for its exceptional medieval murals. These frescoes have been restored and are among the most remarkable in the region. The church houses over [missing number] stunning frescoes, including scenes from the life of Christ and depictions of saints. The building is one of the oldest in the area (over 1,000 years old) and features a 13th-century portal. Due to its unique artworks, the structure has been classified as a historical monument since 1862. This church is a must-see if you are in the area.

De Fontaine Saint-Georges is a historic spring and former washhouse in the old part of the French village of Moutiers-en-Puisaye. Before the 13th century, this fountain was located in the middle of the original village center. When Moutiers later changed location, the spring remained in what is now called Moutiers-le-Vieux. Like many other springs in the wooded region of Puisaye-Forterre, its water was formerly attributed with healing properties. According to historical records (such as those by Maximilien Quantin from 1858), it was believed that the spring helped to prevent debilitating fevers.

This building is from the former monastery complex in Moutiers-en-Puisaye. Around the year 700, an Abbey was founded here which later became a Priory under the Abbey of Saint Germain d'Auxerre. The current remains largely date from the 11th and 12th centuries. During the religious wars of 1587, the complex was largely destroyed.

Art is something that occurs a lot in the different villages in this area. Not everything falls under the flag of art, but there are some very nice pieces.

Tours and events: https://www.chateau-de-st-fargeau.com

The Republic Square with its statue in honor of Larousse on the edge of the old city fortifications offers nice places to stop, as Gerhard has already written. We had a drink in a bistro there. The friendly landlord didn't mind that we bought something to eat from the bakery next door. We would have liked to have experienced the market, but it only takes place on Saturdays.

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/