Courlon-sur-Yonne lies on the right bank of the Yonne. Visitors wishing to combine cultural history with regional themes during their stay will find several distinct points of interest in the village: Église Saint-Loup, with architectural elements dating from the 13th century and furnishings from the 18th century; a municipal poetry designation; and the life story of painter Henri Montassier. There is also an announced village walk and plans for the Yonne, whose planning status is important when organising your day.

Église Saint-Loup: several historical layers

Église Saint-Loup was listed as a historic monument by decree on 29 June 1912. The lower part of the bell tower and a rib-vaulted sacristy dating from the 13th century have been preserved. The date of protection and the architectural elements represent different periods: the decree dates the listing, while the century refers to the surviving elements. The sacristy is a side room of the church; its vault and the base of the bell tower offer specific points of interest for visitors interested in historic architectural styles.

The sanctuary also contains a carved wooden ensemble from the 18th century, with a canopy above the altar. The description of the church thus brings together architectural elements from the 13th century and later furnishings. The canopy is a distinctive feature of the ensemble above the altar. Visitors interested in architecture and craftsmanship can use these specific differences as a guide to the village’s history.

Poetry and Henri Montassier

Courlon-sur-Yonne received the “Village en poésie” designation on 15 September 2012, becoming the first village in the Yonne department to receive this distinction. The designation adds a literary dimension to the village’s architectural heritage.

The biography of painter and illustrator Henri Montassier also connects Courlon with art. He was born here on 27 June 1880 and exhibited in London, Munich, Geneva, Brussels, the United States and Japan. His origins in Courlon and the named exhibition locations represent two different aspects of his biography: a direct connection to the village and an international exhibition career.

The municipality announced the “Promenoir poétique” as a walk through the village with stops devoted to poetry. The lavoir, a village washhouse, is planned as one of the stops. If you would like to include this walk in your plans, check beforehand whether the announced initiative has since been implemented.

The Yonne, route planning and fishing

A voie verte is planned along the Yonne, intended to connect Villenavotte with Vinneuf. In Courlon-sur-Yonne, the project includes a nautical stop. Both are plans, not a guarantee of a completed route or a stop that can currently be used. If you would like to plan your journey or activities around them, check the project’s status beforehand.

For anglers, the fishing area of La Gaule fraternelle is a specific point of interest in the surrounding area. It stretches from Serbonnes to Port-Renard, downstream from Courlon-sur-Yonne. Check fishing regulations and permits before your trip so you can take these requirements into account when planning.

When deciding whether to stay overnight in Courlon-sur-Yonne, consider the purpose of your trip: the church and local culture are definite points of interest; the announced walk and the voie verte should only be included in a fixed itinerary after checking their current status. If you plan to fish during your stay, also take into account the regulations and permits that need to be checked in advance.

Discover more destinations: Vaumort, Sougères-En-Puisaye, Champs-Sur-Yonne, Épineuil, Villy, Escamps, Vallery, Cravant

For the regional travel overview: Yonne.