Best attractions and places to see around Irancy, a village in the Yonne department of Burgundy-Franche-Comté, France, offers a blend of historical landmarks, natural beauty, and cultural experiences. The area is situated in an amphitheater-like valley, bordered by hills covered with vineyards and cherry trees, creating a microclimate that protects its renowned Pinot Noir grapes. Irancy is also notable as the birthplace of architect Jacques-Germain Soufflot.
Last updated: May 5, 2026
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The extremely impressive church in Cravant was dedicated to the two SAINTS "PIERRE et PAUL". They are also known as the "Princes of the Apostles" and their common feast day in the calendar of saints is June 29th. * Simon, nicknamed Peter (Rock), was a fisherman on Lake Genesareth when he - together with his brother Andrew - was called by Jesus Christ to be a "fisher of men". According to Catholic understanding, he is the highest apostle and the two thousand year long line of popes - currently Francis - are his successors. In statues and paintings, Peter is almost always depicted with two keys in his hand; this attribute refers to the Bible verse in Matthew: "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." (Chapter 16, Verse 19). * Paul was initially an opponent of the Christian movement and was not called to the apostleship of Jesus Christ during his lifetime like the other apostles, but was only converted later with the famous "Damascus experience". His attribute is the sword with which he was executed. According to the Roman law of the time, such a sentence was a "privilege" (quick death and not, like other types of execution, associated with a long, painful death struggle) that was available to the citizens of Rome.
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At the statue of Paul Bert, who gave it its name, you will find a small balcony from which you can enjoy the view of the old town in peace.
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Auxerre is a big city, but by bike you can sneak right into the cozy heart of the old town. The half-timbered houses in the narrow streets invite you to a time gone by.
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From this bridge you will have a breathtaking view of Auxerre.
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The stronghold of Belombre was the seat of part of the lordship of Escolives held, in 1507, by the lieutenant general of Auxerre, Blanchet David. Marie David brought it to Jacques de Meung dit de La Ferté, who died on June 4, 1589, massacred by the Leaguers of Auxerre. Madeleine de La Ferté Meung, her granddaughter, transmitted Bellombre to the La Bussière family and Catherine de La Bussière brought it to the Girard d'Azy family. The children of Paul de Girard sold it, around 1656, to François de Chastellux, who ceded this first half of Escolives in 1670, to Robert Chaponnel, Receiver General of Finances. He died on October 28, 1678 without issue, while he was undertaking the reconstruction of the castle. Anne Robineau, receiver general of Finances in Provence, who carried out the project developed by Chaponnel and built a new castle on the land surrounded by a moat on the site of the medieval manor. In 1709, Louis Gayot, buyer, united the two shares of the land of Escolives before selling the Château de Bélombre in November 1726, to Joseph Le Muet, King's attorney in the bailiwick of Auxerre. Rosalie Le Muet married in 1804, Jean Jacques Claude Baudenet d'Annoux. Their son, Louis-Hugues, who feared the dangerous invasions of the waters of the Yonne, decided to demolish the castle which he rebuilt on vast basements around 1870. The estate is located on the left bank of the canal. It is a large single-story building. Corner chains and harped stone legs support the entablature and an attic floor in the overhang of the broken roof. The moat and the stone bridge decorated with elegant 18th century ironwork have been preserved. (1) MH protected elements: facades and roofs; water pit ; the pillars of the entrance gate; the vestibule and the interior staircase with its wrought iron banister: registration by decree of December 6, 1977. The facades and roofs of the outbuildings; the terrace located to the southwest of the castle and the sleeping bridge; the bridge thrown over the moat, in front of the northeast facade of the castle; the gardens surrounding the castle; the perspective alley and the double water alley: registration by decree of June 7, 1993 The Chateau de Belombre 89290 Escolives-Sainte-Camille, private property, cannot be visited.
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At the statue of the namesake Paul Bert you will find a small balcony from which you can enjoy the view of the old town in peace.
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View of the 18th century castle from the cycle path.
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In 2019 a former outbuilding and the former studio of Pierre Merlier were fitted out in order to present and highlight different periods of the work of this artist. In 2020 a 3rd room offered visitors a larger number of wood sculptures, terracotta and polyurethane bas-reliefs, bronzes, paintings. The surprise is total, provoked by the quantity, the diversity, the themes tackled, the materials used, the theatrical and not museum staging of a unique and singular work. The buildings, the proximity of the Canal du Nivernais bordered by the towpath make this Museum an attractive place. https://www.ot-auxerre.fr/offres/musee-pierre-merlier-escolives-sainte-camille-fr-2643474/
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Irancy and its surroundings are rich in history. You can visit the majestic Church Saint-Germain in Irancy, which combines architectural elements from the late 12th to the 18th century. Nearby, the Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Cravant showcases unique Burgundy architecture and reflects Cravant's historical significance. Another notable site is Saint Peter's Church of Auxerre, located in the heart of ancient Auxerre, with a history dating back to at least the 6th century. While not open for visits, you can also view Belombre Castle from the cycle path, an 18th-century stronghold with a rich past.
Yes, several attractions around Irancy are suitable for families. The Paul Bert Bridge offers fantastic views of Auxerre and its old town, with a small balcony perfect for enjoying the scenery. The Pierre Merlier Museum in Escolives-Sainte-Camille, located near the Canal du Nivernais, presents a diverse collection of sculptures and paintings by the artist, which can be an engaging cultural experience for all ages. Additionally, exploring the village of Irancy itself with its traditional vineyard houses and narrow streets is a pleasant family activity.
The Irancy region is renowned for its beautiful natural landscape. The village is nestled in a valley surrounded by hills covered with extensive vineyards and cherry trees, creating a picturesque natural amphitheater. This mosaic of vines, cherry orchards, and cereals changes beautifully with the seasons. You can enjoy panoramic views of Auxerre from the Paul Bert Bridge. The unique microclimate created by the surrounding hills also contributes to the region's distinct natural character.
The area around Irancy offers excellent opportunities for outdoor activities. For road cycling, you can explore routes like the 'Mailly-le-Château Bridge – Vincelles Lock loop' or the 'Nivernais Canal Cycle Route loop'. Gravel biking enthusiasts can tackle more challenging routes such as 'The Yonne and the Park Rocks – The Saussois Rocks loop'. If you prefer running, there are trails like the 'Banks of the Yonne and Castle – Pont sur Yonne loop' or the 'Saint-Germain d'Irancy church loop'. You can find more details and routes in the dedicated guides for Road Cycling Routes around Irancy, Gravel biking around Irancy, and Running Trails around Irancy.
Beyond its religious buildings, Irancy is deeply rooted in viticultural heritage and is the birthplace of a famous architect. It's renowned for its red wines, primarily made from Pinot Noir grapes, and was the first red wine in the Yonne to receive AOC status in 1999. The village is also the birthplace of Jacques-Germain Soufflot, the celebrated architect behind the Pantheon in Paris. His original home is a point of interest, and the main street bears his name. A walk through the village reveals traditional vineyard houses, some with remarkable architectural styles from the early 16th century.
Irancy is famous for its red wines, and the surrounding hills are covered with vineyards. The Irancy vineyard is composed of many specific areas known as 'climats,' each with its own distinct personality, such as Palotte, Les Mazelots, Le Paradis, and Veaupessiot. While specific visitor information for wine tasting isn't provided here, wine tasting in the cool cellars of local vignerons is a popular activity in the region, offering a chance to learn about the production of its renowned Pinot Noir and César grape wines.
The landscape around Irancy, with its vineyards and cherry trees, changes beautifully with the seasons. Spring and summer offer lush greenery and pleasant weather for hiking, cycling, and exploring the village and vineyards. Autumn brings vibrant colors to the vineyards, making it an ideal time for scenic walks and wine-related activities. The unique microclimate, protected by surrounding hills, generally makes it suitable for outdoor pursuits for much of the year, avoiding the harshest northern winds and frost.
Yes, the Pierre Merlier Museum in Escolives-Sainte-Camille is a notable art space. It's housed in a former outbuilding and studio of the artist Pierre Merlier, showcasing his diverse work including wood sculptures, terracotta, polyurethane bas-reliefs, bronzes, and paintings. The museum offers a unique and singular artistic experience, located conveniently near the Canal du Nivernais.
The architecture of Irancy village is unique for its blend of traditional vineyard houses and historical styles. A stroll through its narrow streets reveals houses often built on basements, reflecting the region's viticultural heritage. Some houses near the Town Hall Square date back to the early 16th century and feature remarkable details such as sundials, carved stone, mullioned windows, and turrets, offering a glimpse into the village's rich architectural past.
Visitors to the Irancy area appreciate the blend of historical charm, scenic beauty, and cultural richness. The views from the Paul Bert Bridge are often highlighted as breathtaking. The unique architecture of churches like Saints Peter and Paul in Cravant and the monumental presence of Saint Peter's Church of Auxerre are also highly regarded. The Pierre Merlier Museum is praised for its impressive and diverse collection. Overall, the komoot community has shown strong appreciation, with over 200 upvotes and 26 photos shared across the highlights, indicating a positive visitor experience.
Yes, the Irancy vineyard is characterized by many specific vineyard areas known as 'climats,' each contributing to the distinct personality of the wines. Some of the notable 'climats' in the region include Palotte, Les Mazelots, Le Paradis, and Veaupessiot. These areas are integral to the viticultural heritage and the unique flavors of Irancy's red wines.


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