Located in the charming Yonne Valley, 30 kilometres south of Auxerre, the fortified town of Mailly-le-Château is not to be missed. Be sure to drop by and enjoy its old buildings, beautiful scenery and attractive riverbanks! Explore and discover the many attractions of this welcoming village of two halves.
In the upper village stands the castle with its medieval ramparts, perched on the cliff overlooking the houses below. Near the castle, which consists of five buildings, a terrace with an orientation table offers a magnificent view over the meanders of the Yonne, the Nivernais Canal and the green landscapes all around! Not far from this remarkable viewpoint stands the fortified Church of St. Adrian, dating from the 13th century and listed as a Historic Monument. It is remarkable for having three naves and an unusual Gothic façade framed by two high buttresses.
In the lower village, which can be reached by walking down the steep path, the houses nestle peacefully by the river. This picturesque place is enhanced by the old bridge over the Yonne, as well as the pretty Wolf's Fountain (Fontaine au Loup). The name refers to a story about child-eating wolves dating from the 18th century... Beneath a flagstone roof, the small Chapel of St. Nicholas, patron saint of bargemen, is listed as a Historic Monument and stands on one of the columns of the double humpback bridge. Dating from the 15th century, this is the oldest bridge in the department. From this location, you can admire a beautiful view of the waterside houses and Mailly Castle towering proudly over it all.
At the eastern exit from the village, the little cemetery chapel dedicated to St. Simeon features Romanesque bays and frescoes.
In the Bois du Parc nature reserve, which is popular with walkers and botanists, the cliffs, fossilised coral reef and remarkable plants are all fascinating sights. In these landscapes, which are over 150 million years old, you can enjoy a novel journey back in time by following the discovery path, reading the information signs along the way.
