Avallon is situated on a granite promontory, at the foot of which the Cousin River flows to the south. This striking landscape, historic buildings, gardens and cultural offerings come together to create a diverse townscape.
Culture
Since 17 September 2003, the Musée de l’Avallonnais Jean Després has held the status of “Musée de France” under French cultural heritage law. It was founded as early as 1862 by the Société d’études d’Avallon.
The museum is housed in a former 17th-century college, the oldest part of which dates back to the Middle Ages. The Collégiale Saint-Lazare is also one of the town’s distinctive buildings: its choir is 2.50 metres below the portal and can be reached via 17 steps.
In Avallon, La Boutique de Création BO combines a gallery and boutique. Eight artists and craftspeople present works in wood, jewellery, ceramics, perfume, photography and sculpture.
Those planning a stay in Avallon may wish to rent a holiday apartment.
Nature
The Chemin bleu is a 2.5-kilometre family trail that raises awareness of the protection of aquatic species and their habitats. The Isles Labaume leisure area offers mini-golf, slides and climbing walls.
The Avallon Découverte route offers panoramic views of the Cousin Valley. Another circular trail, the Circuit du Jardinier, is a 2.5-kilometre urban walk through Avallon’s bends, parks and gardens.
The Circuit du Jardinier leads to Parc des Chaumes, an LPO refuge established in January 2015. Birds, insects, mammals, amphibians and reptiles, as well as 90 plant species, have been recorded there.
Squirrels, badgers and hedgehogs live in Parc des Chaumes; deer pass through the park.
Paths and leisure activities
The Avallon Tourist Office offers the visitor booklet “Circuit de la Grenouille”. The Jardins-Terrasses organise themed guided tours, open days, workshops and festive events.
More destinations in the directory: Sougères-En-Puisaye, Saint-Georges-Sur-Baulche, Nitry, Cornant, Dicy, Druyes-Les-Belles-Fontaines, Villebougis, Champs-Sur-Yonne.
