Attractions and Places To See around Précy-Le-Sec - Top 16

This small sacred monument, which the hiker encounters here at a crossroads on the historic Way of St. James, is in need of renovation, as the body of the crucified Christ is unfortunately damaged. The stone base from which the cross extends is covered with some stones that were obviously left there. This custom comes from the well-known "Crux de ferro" on the "Camino Frances" in northern Spain. According to tradition, the pilgrims also lay aside their worries and troubles with the stones that they carry there, sometimes over many days and weeks.

Next to the Manor, there is the miniature village.

This cross stands next to a huge tree, relatively inconspicuous in size - but essentially impossible to miss. The simple, small, sacred monument made of wood that the hiker or pilgrim encounters here is painted red and thus has a strong signaling effect.

If you walk towards Vezelay from this side, you will pass the cross that is visible from afar and the place of pilgrimage appears in the background on a hill.

Appears at the top of the hill this elegant Renaissance style building: the Château du Chastenay. It has a turret placed in a corbel on the right, a hexagonal staircase tower in the center. The pediment of its portal is decorated with a sculpted frieze as well as a Jacquaire shell (we are on the way to Santiago de Compostela). The mullioned windows are also richly carved. The presence of a dovecote affirms the lordly character of the place. In principle, only lords, high justices, had one. The number of bowls was regulated according to the surface area of the owner's fiefdom. The pigeon was highly appreciated for its fine flesh and for its droppings, called columbine, which serves as excellent quality fertilizer.

A first stone bridge was built in 1302. In the 17th century, due to lack of maintenance and not being suitable for vehicles, it was destroyed. The current bridge was a big investment. Completed in 1769, this elegant building is remarkable for its "donkey's back" architecture. It has 3 arches of 10 to 13 m. The triangular-shaped bridge piers facilitated the passage of trains of timber. The stone cross on the bridge was erected in 2000. It is a carbon copy of the one that existed before the French Revolution.

Please make sure to reserve and pay in advance at www.grottes-arcy.net After paying online, be sure to note the reserved date and entry time! You only receive a payment confirmation from Systempay, without an entry time or date! At the checkout, however, the employees see the names of the online bookings. There are only guided tours that last around 50 minutes. The length of the tour is 450 m. You are not allowed to take photos along almost the entire length of the tour! That's why I couldn't take any pictures of this impressively beautiful stalactite cave. At the end of the tour the ceiling height decreases significantly. This is exactly where prehistoric people left their engravings. These engravings were only discovered in 1990 and were exposed with great effort using micro milling. An approximately 3mm thick layer of debris has been removed, but a fine, transparent layer has been left on the engravings so they are still protected. Only at the end of the tour are you allowed to take pictures of a crystal-clear small lake.

Discover the Arcy site where Neanderthal men lived 200,000 years ago. Visit the Great Cave, which has been frequented for several centuries for its magnificent concretions; in the 1990s it revealed engravings and paintings dated 28,000 years ago, among the oldest in the world. April-June: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. July, August: 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. September-November: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. Tel: 03 86 81 90 63 Email: contact@grottes-arcy.net Possibility of reservation and online payment: www.grottes-arcy.net