The best walks and hikes around Saints-En-Puisaye

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.

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.

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.