Saint-Germain stands in the center of Marigny-Le-Cahouët; along the Canal de Bourgogne, Lock 18, Lock 24 and the basin tell the story of the waterway. This gives visitors two distinct areas of focus during a stay: religious and château architecture on the one hand, and locks and canal engineering on the other. If you are looking for a hotel, you can first consider which of these themes you would like to spend time exploring.
Saint-Germain and the Château
The Church of Saint-Germain was built from the 1450s in the Flamboyant Gothic style and stands in the center of the village. It was listed as a French historic monument by decree on June 3, 1927. Its furnishings include 15th- and 16th-century statues, a liturgical piscina from the same period, a Renaissance altar, paintings, and a 17th-century funerary frieze. A remarkable 16th-century crucifix sculpture stands in the former cemetery beside the church. The construction period, furnishings and former cemetery offer different historical points of interest around Saint-Germain.
The Château de Marigny-Le-Cahouët is also protected as a historic monument. A separate listing from 2008 covers its portal, avenue, moats and drawbridge. The portal was created during a neo-Gothic restoration in the mid-19th century; pinnacles and wrought-iron gate leaves define its design. While Saint-Germain brings together architectural and decorative details from several centuries, the portal points to a specific 19th-century restoration phase.
Locks and Canal History
Lock site 18, known as Marigny 1ère, lies on the Yonne-side section of the Canal de Bourgogne in Marigny-Le-Cahouët. The canal section to which it belongs opened to navigation in 1832. The lock keeper’s house on the right bank is built of rubble stone with a render finish and has a roof covered with flat interlocking tiles. A wooden shed stands on the left bank.
Lock site 24 was established for the section that opened to navigation in 1832. Its lock keeper’s house stands on the left bank, is built of rubble stone with a render finish, and has a flat-tile roof. It is thought to have been built in 1834. The wells distinguish the two houses: at Lock 18, the well is below the house; at Lock 24, the former well is integrated into the façade. In addition to their different bank locations, the two sites therefore offer a comparison of two solutions for a single architectural feature.
The Basin and Its Former Function
The Marigny-Le-Cahouët basin is roughly trapezoidal in shape, with developed banks and a shed. It appears on a cadastral map from the 1860s. Traces of quarries or quarry-related embankments point to the site’s former role in transporting stone. The map and these clues complement the lock structures described above by showing the basin’s form and its former importance for transport.
Exploring the Canal de Bourgogne
The greenway along the Canal de Bourgogne passes through Marigny-Le-Cahouët and is part of the Tour de Bourgogne. The surfaced towpath stretches for 54.5 km and is suitable for cycling and walking. Alongside the historic structures, it offers a longer route for getting around on foot or by bike. Check current trail conditions before setting out. A picnic area is located where the Canal de Bourgogne meets the D10 in Marigny-Le-Cahouët and can be planned as a place to take a break.
Discover more destinations: Vertault, La Roche-En-Brenil, Auxonne, Précy-sous-Thil, Messigny-Et-Vantoux, Maligny, Channay, Corcelles-Les-Arts
For the overview of the wider travel area: Cote-Dor.
