A clearly marked walking route, a Renaissance château and a walled garden complex give Montigny-Sur-Aube several distinct points of interest. The Circuit d’Epailly is 14.5 kilometres long, rated moderate and listed as taking 4 hours 30 minutes. The château’s history and gardens offer a different focus. When looking for a holiday rental for your stay, it helps to decide whether the walking day or the cultural, historical and horticultural attractions should take centre stage.
Gardens with a character of their own
The Parc et potager du château de Montigny-sur-Aube has been awarded the “Jardin remarquable” designation. The walled grounds cover 5,244 square metres and contain nine gardens connected to the original irrigation network. Distinctive features include a bee garden and a beehive made of hemp-clay and timber framing. The area, irrigation system and variety of garden spaces give a visit a specific horticultural focus, clearly different from a walk through the countryside.
Renaissance and local history
The Château de Montigny-sur-Aube was built by Jean d’Amoncourt between 1537 and 1552. The grounds, park and chapel were classified as historic monuments in 1961. The plans for the château chapel are attributed to Jean Bullant. The château’s history also includes a fortified castle dating from the 12th century. The site therefore brings together several historical periods: the older castle, the Renaissance building and its protected features.
The Eglise de l’Assomption was built by Jean d’Amoncourt in 1547 on the site of the former château chapel. The church contains René d’Amoncourt’s tomb. Another memorial site is the Espace Harry Truman, inaugurated on 11 October 2018. A stele made of Semond stone commemorates Harry Truman’s stay at the château in 1918. The washhouse on Rue Grande dates from the 19th century and adds a different kind of building to the town’s historical sites.
The Circuit d’Epailly as a walking day
At 14.5 kilometres, with a stated duration of 4 hours 30 minutes, the moderate Circuit d’Epailly can be planned as a dedicated part of your itinerary. The loop starts and finishes in the parking area at Place du 19 mars 1962 in Montigny-Sur-Aube. Between Montigny-Sur-Aube and Courban, it passes through forests and agricultural plains. Check the trail conditions and markings before setting out. Parking for château visitors is available in the village square in front of the château enclosure; check the parking situation before travelling there as well.
Visiting and practical planning
An audio-guided visit of the château is listed for 2026 and includes the 16th-century Renaissance chapel. As the visit is seasonal, check before travelling whether it will be available on your visit date. The Mobigo LR 128 bus route between Châtillon-sur-Seine and Gevrolles also stops in Montigny-Sur-Aube. If you plan to travel by bus, check the current timetable before departure.
A La Table Des Jardiniers serves the “Coffret Fraîcheur”, prepared by the chef with produce from the estate’s fruit and vegetable gardens. You can enjoy the meal on the terrace, in the orangery or as a takeaway. The restaurant is seasonal; check before your visit whether the Coffret Fraîcheur will be available then. This makes it easier to plan the walking day, château and garden visits, and seasonal offerings separately, without assuming that each calls for the same amount of time.
Discover more destinations: Manlay, Agencourt, Canton of Nolay, Francheville, Planay, Is-Sur-Tille, Molinot, Bellenod-Sur-Seine.
For the broader travel overview: Cote-Dor.
