In the Morvan Regional Nature Park, the sarcophagi of Quarré-les-Tombes are a curiosity and remain an enigma to this day. In the old cemetery surrounding the Church of St. George are 112 Merovingian limestone tombs whose origin is still a mystery. There were probably more than 1,000 of them to start with, some even say 2,000. They only arrived at that spot between the 8th and 10th centuries, and there is no explanation for their strange presence. According to some theories, the sarcophagi might have come from a quarry in the region, or an 8th-century Merovingian necropolis. But a few legends have also arisen around this secret of local history!
Around the church, the marketplace is very welcoming, as is the village's natural environment. The municipality is a listed Green Resort (Station Verte) and offers many opportunities for outings in the forest or by the water.
Quarré-les-Tombes is a town in the Yonne in Burgundy, Franche-Comte, 18 km southeast of Avallon, on the edge of the Nièvre.
The 46 km² of its territory range from 300 to 600 meters, in the natural region of Avallon bordered by the shelf Auxerrois north, the plain-Terre on the east, the foothills the Morvan hills in the south and the Yonne valley to the west.
The village developed on a granite hill, and became a barony in the eleventh century.
It owes its name to hundreds of empty tombs, stone, formerly located in a cemetery surrounding the church.
The exploitation of the forest and agriculture has been and remains the economic engine of the small town which currently has about 660 inhabitants and whose primary asset now is its rich environment: several areas of the territory is protected under biodiversity and also included in the scope of the Morvan Regional Natural Park.
The town reveals a pleasant stop for green tourism lovers traveling in the region.
In terms of the built and historic heritage, a discovery of the village can begin with its parish church of St. George, rebuilt in the sixteenth century on the foundations of a chapel had become too small. Only the choir dates from this period: the eighteenth century, in fact, the nave and transept were extended while the tower was rebuilt. Rearrangements have also been made in the nineteenth. Inside the building, note the pulpit and the pew (reserved for faithful members of church council (management) of the parish), both carved wood and Louis XIII style. Note also the graves of Baron Chastellux and his father (early seventeenth century). Guided tour of the church possible with a volunteer of the heritage protection association by contacting +33 3 86 32 25 20.
Adjacent to the church, not then not to notice some of the graves unearthed during construction sites of the building, which were located in the old cemetery. These sarcophagi (empty) with lids are limestone quarried in Diss (40 km from the village!) And have no religious sign or symbol: some historians believe therefore that predate the Christianization of region and that they were for a necropolis which no trace was discovered.
then place in the territory rich natural heritage. It identifies and wood Dukes (formerly property of the Dukes of Burgundy), dotted with ponds and granite rocks, protected banks of the creek Hair Chevré and Tancoin, or, on the south of the town (and therefore included in the scope of the Morvan Regional Natural Park), in areas protected for their rich ecosystem (rare and fragile plants like poppy Wales, wet meadows, species of bats or crayfish...).
To understand this exceptional environment, multiple circuits are open for walkers: the GR13 connecting Arcy-sur-Cure in the Yonne Glux-en-Glenne Nièvre through Quarré-les-Tombes, like the GR dedicated to the Tower 'Avallonnais and GR Tour du Morvan. Maps and information +33 3 86 32 22 20. It is useful also to get closer to the Park House which organizes regular themed walks, events and exhibitions on the wealth of the Morvan. Information at +33 3 86 78 79 00.
These landscapes also give rise to pleasant walks and informative horse join the equestrian center Horses at Ciezalel +33 9 54 77 30 32.
For fishermen, contact +33 3 86 34 15 30 or +33 3 86 34 01 09 to take advantage of streams or ponds in accordance with regulations.
Finally, in another kind, a tennis court can be booked in the village +33 3 86 32 26 18.
The first Saturday in June, Irish music festival Ceili mill Breuillotte.
The 3rd weekend of October, the chestnut festival.
