Attractions and Places To See around Colméry - Top 16
Attractions and places to see around Colméry include a variety of historical landmarks, cultural sites, and picturesque villages. The region offers opportunities to explore ancient castles, traditional dovecotes, and charming settlements with rich medieval heritage. Visitors can discover a range of points of interest, from Gallo-Roman towns to significant religious monuments.
Best attractions and places to see around Colméry
- The most popular attractions is Château de la Motte-Josserand, a castle that features strong circular towers and a gate tower. It is a significant historical landmark, built in the 13th century.
- Another must-see spot is Entrains-sur-Nohain Town Center, an ancient Gallo-Roman town where excavations have revealed sculptures and Roman house decorations. This lively village offers shops, restaurants, and cafes.
- Visitors also love Varzy, a picturesque village known for its rich medieval heritage and old houses. Its Gothic Saint-Pierre church and traditional washhouse are notable cultural features.
- Colméry is known for historical landmarks, cultural sites, and charming villages. The area offers a variety of attractions to see and explore, including castles, ancient towns, and religious monuments.
- The attractions around Colméry are appreciated by the komoot community, with 6 photos and 5 upvotes.
Last updated: May 19, 2026
Château de la Motte-Josserand
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Entrains-sur-Nohain Town Center
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Pigeonnier in Cessy-les-Bois
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Many pigeonniers can still be found, particularly in rural areas of France, and are considered an important architectural heritage.
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Château de Couloutre
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A stately home, holiday camp, chosen location for many scout groups, it now houses a small mixed primary school, a single-sex middle school and a crafts high school. Fauna and flora, history and culture: the site itself illustrates the courses taught!
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Saint-Pierre Church of Varzy
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Tips from the Community
A pigeonnier (French for dovecote) is traditionally a freestanding, often tower-shaped building from the Middle Ages, originally intended to house pigeons for food and as a status symbol. Today, these historic buildings are often converted into unique, charming holiday homes or gîtes, known for their tranquil settings and characteristic architecture.
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Pigeonniers are dovecotes, a specific type of structure for housing pigeons, known primarily from France, where they once served as a status symbol. Built for the production of pigeon meat, eggs, and manure, they became popular during the Middle Ages, particularly between the 16th and 19th centuries. The structures range from small rooftop structures to large, freestanding towers, often supported by legs to deter rodents. Many pigeonniers can still be found, particularly in rural areas of France, and are considered an important architectural heritage.
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The church of Varzy is an impressive church in the middle of the town. It is worth taking a look inside.
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This castle was built in the 14th century. At that time, the towers were twice as high. It was inhabited by soldiers during the period when Burgundy belonged to England and there was a battle against the French. The castle is currently being renovated. The knights' hall is almost finished
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Entrains-sur-Nohain is an ancient Gallo-Roman town, numerous excavations between 2008 and 2015 revealing sculptures and an exceptional set of decorations from a Roman house. This lively little village contains many shops, restaurants and cafes.
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The castle of La Motte-Josserand was built in the 13th century. Today the castle looks more like an amalgamation of buildings, but it can be seen if one focuses on the strong circular towers at the four corners. There is still a gate tower which once housed the traditional drawbridge.
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In the Nièvre, between the Loire and the Yonne, the A6 and the A77, equidistant from Auxerre, Nevers or Bourges, near Vézelay, Saint-Fargeau and Guédelon, a castle surrounded by a moat is hidden in the foot of the forest. A stately home, holiday camp, chosen location for many scout groups, it now houses a small mixed primary school, a single-sex middle school and a crafts high school. Fauna and flora, history and culture: the site itself illustrates the courses taught!
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Frequently Asked Questions
What historical landmarks can I visit near Colméry?
You can explore several historical landmarks, including the 13th-century Château de la Motte-Josserand, known for its strong circular towers. Another notable site is the Château de Couloutre, a stately home surrounded by a moat. The region also features the Pigeonnier in Cessy-les-Bois, an example of a traditional dovecote.
Are there any ancient towns or picturesque villages to explore?
Yes, the region offers charming settlements with rich heritage. Entrains-sur-Nohain Town Center is an ancient Gallo-Roman town where excavations have revealed sculptures and Roman house decorations. You can also visit Varzy, a picturesque village known for its medieval heritage, Gothic Saint-Pierre church, and traditional washhouse.
What cultural sites are notable in the wider region?
Beyond the immediate vicinity, you can visit La Charité-sur-Loire, approximately 26 km away, which is home to an abbey church and recognized as a heritage site on French pilgrim routes. Vézelay, about 40 km from Colméry, is another significant heritage site, famous for its Basilica of Sainte-Madeleine, also part of pilgrim routes. Additionally, the unique Guedelon site, about 27 km away, is where a medieval castle is being reconstructed using period-appropriate techniques.
What cycling opportunities are available around Colméry?
The area offers various cycling routes. For road cycling, you can find routes like the 'Douzy Municipal Swimming Pool loop from Donzy' or the 'Varzy – Castle of the Bishops of Auxerre loop from Colméry'. If you prefer mountain biking, options include the 'Beaumont loop from Colméry' or the 'Château de la Motte-Josserand loop from Couloutre'. You can find more details and routes on the Road Cycling Routes around Colméry guide and the MTB Trails around Colméry guide.
Are there running trails near these attractions?
Yes, there are several running trails available. You can explore routes such as the 'Varzy loop from Varzy' or shorter options like the 'Running loop from Le Cachot'. For more detailed information and a variety of running routes, refer to the Running Trails around Colméry guide.
Are there any family-friendly attractions in the area?
While specific 'family-friendly' categories aren't highlighted, exploring the ancient Gallo-Roman town of Entrains-sur-Nohain Town Center with its shops and cafes, or visiting the unique Guedelon castle reconstruction site (about 27 km away) could be engaging for families. The picturesque village of Varzy also offers a pleasant environment for a family stroll.
What kind of unique historical architecture can I see?
The Pigeonnier in Cessy-les-Bois is a prime example of unique historical architecture. These dovecotes were once status symbols in France, used for housing pigeons and are considered an important part of architectural heritage from the Middle Ages to the 19th century.
What do visitors enjoy most about the attractions around Colméry?
Visitors appreciate the rich historical and cultural offerings. The 13th-century Château de la Motte-Josserand is noted for its strong circular towers and historical significance. The ancient Gallo-Roman town of Entrains-sur-Nohain Town Center is enjoyed for its archaeological discoveries and lively atmosphere with shops and cafes. The picturesque village of Varzy is also a favorite for its medieval heritage and charming old houses.
Are there any wheelchair accessible attractions?
Yes, Entrains-sur-Nohain Town Center is noted as being wheelchair accessible, offering an opportunity to explore an ancient Gallo-Roman town with shops, restaurants, and cafes.
What is the best time to visit the Colméry region?
While specific seasonal data isn't provided, the region's historical sites, picturesque villages, and outdoor activities can generally be enjoyed from spring through early autumn (April to October) when the weather is milder and more conducive for exploration. Summer months offer the warmest temperatures for outdoor pursuits, though spring and autumn provide pleasant conditions with fewer crowds.
Are there any religious monuments or churches worth visiting?
Yes, the region around Colméry features several churches. These include the Église de Notre-Dame-du-Pré in Donzy (11km away), the Prieuré de Saint Révérien in Saint-Reverien (24km away), and the 12th-century Église Saint-Martin in Garchy. Further afield, La Charité-sur-Loire and Vézelay are significant pilgrimage sites with impressive abbey churches.
Can I find local markets in nearby towns?
Yes, several nearby towns host markets on various days. Clamecy has markets on Saturdays, Cosne-Cours-sur-Loire on Wednesdays, Sundays, and Fridays, and Saint-Satur on Thursdays. These markets offer a chance to experience local culture and find regional products.
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