The best walks and hikes in Bois Étienne

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/

Pierre Larousse was born in Toucy. Every child knows him. His green, thick dictionary of the French language is famous. His monument is located in the middle of the Place de la République. A nice square with 2 cafes and 2 restaurants. On one side you can see medieval city walls. Every Saturday there is a large food market between this square and the church with mostly regional products.

A 12th-century chapel was all that remained from the devastation of the Hundred Years' War. In the 16th century the church was rebuilt in the ruins of the old castle. The result was a castle church with mighty walls, cannon embrasures and defensive towers. Please note the sculptures on the south wall. The interior is higher and more impressive than you might expect. A beautiful, balanced architecture and magnificent stained glass windows from the late 19th century. Unfortunately the church is usually closed. However, mass is at 10:30 every Sunday.

When I arrived in Parly, I immediately noticed the church. The octagonal church tower, which looks a bit too short, impresses with the finest stone carving. The lavishly designed windows in the area of the bells are richly decorated. If you then walk around the otherwise rather small and squat church, the next surprise comes: a portal that you otherwise only see on cathedrals. Quadruple chiseled columns with portal arches.

The Saint-Sébastien church, although remodeled in the 15th century, is an important testimony of Romanesque art in Puisaye with its octagonal bell tower of Cluniac inspiration and its sculpted portal restored in 2002, the ocher-veined stone before weakened the sumptuous decorations.