The Lavoir de la Poterne stands out for its roof made of tiles from Pontigny. It was built in 1762 under Louis XV and is the oldest washhouse in Serein et Armance. This building offers a tangible glimpse into the history of Brienon-Sur-Armançon. Other facets range from churches and theatre to crafts and activities on the water. This gives you a choice of ways to shape your trip: historic architecture in town, a cycling route along the Canal de Bourgogne and seasonal swimming in the Armançon.
Churches, Theatre and Crafts
The church of Saint-Martin has been documented since the 12th century. The collegiate church of Saint-Loup combines Gothic, Renaissance and Neoclassical architectural elements. Here you can encounter two distinct historical references: an early written record and a building whose character has been shaped by several architectural styles.
An organ was restored in 2022 and is played at several concerts each year outside of church services. If you would like to make the music a regular part of your itinerary, plan your visit around a concert date.
The Théâtre Perché is a small historic chamber theatre tucked beneath the rooftops. Its monumental paintings may date from the mid-1830s. The traditional oil mill is two hundred years old and still in operation. This brings together a theatre history dated with some uncertainty and a craft that is still practised today.
The history of the Armançon is also linked to crafts in Brienon: the construction and repair of boats for river transport has a tradition dating back to the Middle Ages. This connection adds another perspective on the town’s history alongside its buildings and theatre.
Cycling Route and Activities on the Water
The Vélo & Fromages route can be accessed at every lock on the Canal de Bourgogne. Its regional section runs from Brienon-sur-Armançon to Percey. The route also passes cheese dairies and farms; Soumaintrain, Saint-Florentin and Chaource are among the cheeses you can discover along the way. The locks provide access points to the route, while the section between Brienon and Percey marks its regional course.
From the mooring stop at Brienon-sur-Armançon, travellers arriving by houseboat or licence-free boat can continue by bicycle or walk along the banks. In summer, supervised swimming is available on the banks of the Armançon.
The Armançon and the Canal de Bourgogne are listed as fishing waters. Fishing permits are sold in Brienon-sur-Armançon at MTB, 9 place Émile Blondeau.
For planning your timing, the difference between two activities is especially clear: the organ is played at several concerts each year outside of church services, while supervised swimming is available in summer. If you are planning your trip around either one, time it to coincide with a concert date or the summer season, respectively.
Discover more destinations: Brosses, Tanlay, Joigny, Montillot, Bléneau, Charentenay, Cussy-Les-Forges, Diges.
For the broader travel overview: Yonne.
