A marked walk through waterside and historic landscapes, along with buildings with stories of their own: Charny offers several reasons to visit. The “Centre historique et étangs de Charny” trail gives you a clear framework for spending time outdoors; the market hall and Saint-Pierre-Saint-Paul Church bring local heritage into focus.

Walking the Charny trail

The “Centre historique et étangs de Charny” trail is rated easy, is 6.7 kilometres long, and takes about two hours. It is marked as a walking route and numbered 68. The route starts at the Pôle de Loisirs car park on Chemin du Bignon. Its length and approximate duration give you a practical basis for fitting the walk into your day.

Along the way, the trail passes through waterside and historic landscapes. Its viewpoints include a view from above the village and other fine panoramas. So the route is about more than its distance: the landscape and views are also part of what makes it distinctive. The tourist information office in Charny provides walking routes in Puisaye-Forterre. If you would like to find out about other options there, check the current opening arrangements before you arrive.

The market hall and church: Charny’s heritage

The Halle de Charny was built in 1835 during the reign of Louis-Philippe. Its past uses tell of the building’s several roles: it initially served as the town hall, then as a community hall and exhibition hall. Its construction date and sequence of uses offer two different ways to understand the market hall’s history.

Saint-Pierre-Saint-Paul Church is another landmark of local heritage. The municipality describes it as an emblematic symbol of its heritage. Together, the church and market hall offer different perspectives: the market hall is notable for its construction date and former functions, while the church is notable for its significance as a heritage symbol. A market is held in the market hall on Tuesdays and Sundays. Check the current market days before your visit if you would like to plan around the market.

Sports and digital services

The Plateau sportif in Charny is designed as a multi-purpose sports facility and is open to everyone. For tennis, it has an outdoor court next to the covered tennis court. The outdoor court is available by prior reservation through USCOP. A reservation is therefore part of your plans if you would like to use the court; the facility’s general accessibility does not waive this requirement.

Another service is available through the library in Charny: free access to thousands of digital items, around the clock, seven days a week. These include films, books, music, press, games and language courses. The selection ranges from media for reading and listening to games and language courses. So, alongside walking, heritage and sports, digital content is another distinct area to explore in Charny.

If you would like to plan your visit around a clearly defined timeframe, the approximately two-hour trail offers a walking option with a stated duration. For a cultural focus, you can instead explore the history of the market hall and the church highlighted by the municipality. The market, sports facility and digital library services round out the selection with activities and conditions of their own.

Discover more destinations: Maligny, Vézelay, Thorigny-Sur-Oreuse, Dicy, Turny, Saint-Sauveur-en-Puisaye, Sennevoy-Le-Bas, Malay-Le-Grand.

See the broader travel guide: Yonne.