30 min
Vézelay
The basilica and hill, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in one of the most beautiful villages in France.
Photo: Eric Esquivel / UNESCO, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO, via Wikimedia Commons
Things to do and see
Things to do around Mailly-le-Château
Forest, rivers, vineyards and heritage: plenty to keep young and old busy, right from the house. Travel times are by car. Remember to book ahead, especially in summer.
Walking and cycling
On foot or by bike, from the garden
- Walks from the garden on site
Paths lead straight into the Frétoy state forest. Many walking and cycling routes on Visorando. - Nivernais Canal 10 min
A flat, car-free path along the water and past the locks: perfect for children on bikes. - E-bikes and vineyards delivered to the house
Cycle Divin rents e-bikes delivered to the house, or offers guided rides with a wine tasting. 06 14 96 76 44 · website
Horse riding
On horseback or on a pony
- Pesteau equestrian farm Merry-Sec · 15 min
Baby pony sessions from age 3, rides for all ages, lessons for children, treks from one day to a week. Families and groups welcome. 03 86 41 64 64 - Écurie du Désir Essert, Lucy-sur-Cure · 25 min
Group and private lessons, rides and treks on horseback or pony, by appointment. 06 29 68 41 82 - Rides in Montillot 25 min
Rides in unspoilt countryside on the edge of the Morvan, from one hour to half a day, beginners to experienced riders, from age 8.
Climbing, golf and tennis
For the sporty
- Saussois cliffs Merry-sur-Yonne · 15 min
A renowned cliff-climbing site on the banks of the Yonne. The Le Saussois restaurant at the foot of the cliffs lets you make a day of it. - Golf du Roncemay Chassy · 50 min
An 18-hole course (par 72) designed by Jeremy Pern: oak and beech forest, then a plateau with a Scottish links feel. Driving range and bistro on site. - Tennis Coulanges-sur-Yonne · 10 min
Fishing
Yonne, Cure, Serein, Cousin
The house sits at the heart of a rich network of rivers. A fishing permit is required: buy it on cartedepeche.fr or from local stockists.
- The Yonne and the Nivernais Canal below Mailly-le-Château
Category 2, public waters. Stretches managed by the Mailly-le-Château angling association (AAPPMA), from marker 36 (downstream of the Ravereau lock) to the Bouchet weir at Mailly-la-Ville. Bank or boat fishing: pike, zander, perch, carp, coarse fish, catfish. - Le Serein 25 to 35 min
A wild, winding river and one of the best pike stretches in the department: Chablis – La Chapelle-Vaupelteigne (with a 720 m catch-and-release trout section), Noyers-sur-Serein and L’Isle-sur-Serein. Private waters: use the access points marked by the Yonne fishing federation. - La Cure 20 min
A trout river flowing down from the Morvan: category 1 upstream (Arcy-sur-Cure, Saint-Moré), ideal for fly fishing or small lures; category 2 towards Vermenton. - Le Cousin 40 min, towards Avallon
A small category 1 river at the bottom of a wooded valley. Wild brown trout; technical fishing in very clear water.
On the water
Canoeing, rafting, swimming
- Guided canoeing on the Yonne Mailly-la-Ville
Guided trips with Hors-Sentiers. 06 24 08 36 65 · website - Swimming a few minutes away
Plenty of natural swimming spots along the Yonne. Unsupervised swimming: keep a close eye on children. - Rafting on the Chalaux Morvan · 50 min
A lively river with technical rapids, made navigable by water releases from the Chaumeçon dam. Several professional outfitters around Saint-Martin-du-Puy and Brassy. - Waterskiing and wakeboarding Vaux lake, Auxerre · 35 min
The Motonautique Sporting Club de l’Yonne offers taster sessions, lessons and courses for beginners to experienced skiers, from May to October. Book by phone. - AB Loisirs
Canoeing, rafting, cycling, tree-top adventure courses, zip lines, hot-air ballooning, orienteering, treasure hunts… 03 86 33 38 38 · website
Days out
For rainy days… and sunny ones
- Cardoland Chamoux · 25 min
A 10-hectare family prehistoric park: 88 life-size sculptures of dinosaurs and prehistoric animals, a cave museum, dig workshops for children, shows during school holidays, a playground and a restaurant. 03 86 33 28 33 · website - Mailly-le-Château planetarium 5 min
A show under the dome in broad daylight: the idea that saves a rainy afternoon, for young and old alike. 09 84 05 39 62 · website - Cinema Clamecy · 20 min, Auxerre · 30 min
- Bowling Aux 2B Monéteau, Auxerre · 35 min
- Volkswagen camper van tours
Vineyards and countryside aboard a vintage camper van, on a tailor-made route, with Combi Yonne Trip. 06 84 60 41 70 · website - Prieuré des Sources spa Arcy-sur-Cure · 20 min
A private spa with massages, hammam and jacuzzi. website
Places to visit
The must-sees of the area
45 min
Guédelon
A castle being built with 13th-century techniques, unique in Europe.
Photo: Benoît Prieur, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
_le_19_ao%C3%BBt_2019.jpg){kind=link}
20 min
Arcy-sur-Cure caves
Prehistoric cave art and impressive natural caverns.
Photo: WikiCc90, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Mailly-le-Château 5 min
A hilltop village with panoramic views over the meanders of the Yonne. - Château de Bazoches 25 min
The château where Vauban, Louis XIV’s military engineer, lived. - Chablis 30 min
Wine cellars, tastings, prestigious vineyards and foodie strolls. - Auxerre 30 min
Old town, cathedral, Saint-Germain abbey, museums, markets. - Château de Saint-Fargeau 40 min
A vast pink-brick château; in summer, the open-air historical night show is well worth the trip. - Morvan Regional Nature Park 40 to 60 min
Lakes, forests, hiking, unspoilt villages.
Last updated: November 2026. The photos on this page come from Wikimedia Commons, under the licences shown.