The best family-friendly hikes and walks around Auxerre

I confirm that there is a view of Joigny here

A true medieval fortress built on 11th century foundations, completed in the 13th century, then partly transformed during the Renaissance. The four corner towers, the two entrance towers defending the drawbridge, the moat and the dovecote surround the charming square interior courtyard. Since 1951, the pottery workshop, exhibitions, shows and courses have made Ratilly a leading art center. Hours: From 03/30/24 to 06/30/24 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - from 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Closed on: Friday From 07/01/23 to 08/31/24 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. From 01/09/24 to 10/11/24 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - from 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

In addition to the history of the bridge, which is named after the third American president, it also offers one of the most beautiful views of the old town of Auxerre. This is bathed in a beautiful light, especially in the morning. And all without traffic.

The "La Coulée Verte" path runs along a former ban route. For this reason it is almost flat and slightly elevated. On the bridge here you can still clearly see its original use as a railway connection. This route also takes you to the island between the Yonne and the canal. There you will find a small forest and beautiful views of the water.

The skipper's patron had his natural place on the banks of the Yonne river, on the very spot where the port has existed since time immemorial. The oldest charters mention the Port Saint-Nicolas. The fountain of the same name, formerly the Saint-Germain fountain, sprang up in the middle of the square, at the time when the enclosure of the city walls existed, and in the middle of this same square stood a stone cross. We can still see, at the corner of the old house n° 2, the statue of the great bishop of Myre, raised by the brotherhood of Saint-Nicolas and having at his feet a tank filled with small children who serve as his attributes. In 1339, the Book of the Hôtel-Dieu tells us that there was a Maison des Estuves or public baths in front of the Saint-Germain fountain. In 1626, the port of Saint-Nicolas was the scene of a violent tumult caused by the high cost of grain. A lady Noubert, from Dijon, who was driving two boats laden with wheat to Paris, was arrested at Auxerre on July 26 by the populace, who loudly demanded the sale of wheat at the market price. The provost, not knowing how to stop the riot, sanctioned the demands of the inhabitants and had the wheat sold. But Dame Noubert assigned the aldermen of Auxerre to the Parliament of Paris. We do not know the outcome of this case. The fountain supplied the district with drinking water until 1783. In 1909, the stone basin which adorned the square of the large fountains (Charles Surugue square) was installed in this square where it can still be seen. http://auxerre.histoire.free.fr/Ville/quartier_saint_germain/place_saint_nicolas.htm

The city is beautiful and lively. There are still "little shops" here. There is so much to see that one highlight is far from enough.

The well-preserved ensemble from the second half of the 13th century is a four-wing structure around an almost square inner courtyard, which is surrounded at the corners by four mighty round towers and is accessed on the south side via a portal flanked by similar towers. The buildings are surrounded all around by a now dry moat. Despite a variety of later structural measures, especially the post-medieval changes to the southern defensive buildings into homely refuges with open window fronts in the style of a castle, they have hardly lost any of the former fortified character of a castle complex. The historic castle is now a cultural center, a place where numerous concerts take place every summer and contemporary artists exhibit. In 2015 the facility had over 12,200 visitors. https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schloss_Ratilly

The beautiful church of Treigny - Saint-Symphorien from the 15th century - is open for a visit (or a prayer). This should not be missed.