The Way of St. James, which connects Auxerre and Vézelay, passes through Champs-Sur-Yonne. There are also specific cycling routes in the area: the Tour de Bourgogne runs through the village, and the Boucle des vignobles de l’Auxerrois is a named circular route between Augy and Champs-Sur-Yonne. You can plan your journey around either a connection between two places or a shorter, clearly defined cycle ride.
Routes for different plans
The Boucle des vignobles de l’Auxerrois is 21.5 kilometres long and suitable for hybrid and mountain bikes. Its endpoints, Augy and Champs-Sur-Yonne, give the route a specific geographical scope; the Way of St. James, by contrast, places the village along the Auxerre–Vézelay connection. If you are planning a cycle ride, check the route conditions and signage before setting off. The Tour de Bourgogne also passes through Champs-Sur-Yonne, but it is a separate cycling route and should not be confused with the circular route mentioned above.
Ponds and birdlife
Ponds form part of the landscape north of the village and are popular with walkers. Herons, swans and Canada geese can be found along the Yonne near Champs-Sur-Yonne. As well as its routes, the village therefore offers nature to discover in different ways: the ponds are part of a walk, while the birds mentioned are part of the local natural landscape along the Yonne. For planning purposes, these are two distinct points of interest, not a single connected walking route.
Church and architectural history
The church of Nativité-Notre-Dame-de-Liesse was built towards the end of the 13th century in the Classical Gothic style. Its surviving portal dates from the 13th century and has a pointed arch. Another feature reflects a later alteration: the nave’s wooden ceiling was remodelled in the 18th century. These three details—the date of construction, the portal and the ceiling—highlight different historical layers of the church, rather than reducing it to a single architectural style or period.
Fontaine Sombron and local motifs
Another aspect of the area’s cultural history is Fontaine Sombron. It was built as a water tower sometime between about 1880 and 1900, and rescued and restored in 2018. Its carved decoration evokes the local vineyards, fishing, orchards and grain fields. The fountain thus combines its former function as a water tower with motifs that reflect different aspects of the local landscape and how it is used. Together with the church, it offers a second perspective on the village: the focus here is not the development of a church building, but a structure with a practical water-related function and carved decoration.
Getting here and getting around
Champs-Sur-Yonne is served by the Champs-Saint-Bris railway stop. There is no ticket office there, so check the current ticket options before you leave. Wheelchair assistance by taxi is available at the stop through Accès TER. This assistance must be booked at least 48 hours before departure. As booking conditions can change, it is advisable to check before travelling.
There is no regular bus service to Champs-Sur-Yonne. However, an on-demand bus service, the Transport Ă la Demande (TAD), operates between Auxerre and Champs. Check the booking rules and availability before travelling. This means that two different aspects are important when planning your journey: the railway stop, with its specific ticketing and assistance arrangements, and the on-demand bus connection between Auxerre and Champs. Checking the relevant conditions in advance will help you organise your journey to suit your plans.
Discover more destinations: Auxerre, Lixy, Toucy, Brienon-Sur-Armançon, La Belliole, Taingy, Sougères-En-Puisaye, Champignelles.
For an overview of the wider region: Yonne.
