Anyone interested in Sainte Alpais and historic architecture will find two distinct points of interest in Cudot: the Notre-Dame et Sainte-Alpais Church and the Château de Saint-Phalle. Each offers a different perspective on the town’s history. Cudot is also located in the Bocage des Gâtinais; this landscape setting complements the picture of its historic buildings.
The Church and the Tomb of Sainte Alpais
The Notre-Dame et Sainte-Alpais Church was built from 1170 as a chapel for Sainte Alpais. Its history, however, is not limited to this early building phase: the church was altered and extended in the 12th and 15th centuries, and extensively remodelled in the third quarter of the 19th century. Those interested in its architectural history can consider these periods in turn—from its original purpose as a chapel, through later alterations, to the 19th-century remodelling.
The tomb of Sainte Alpais is in the church. The sculptor Émile Peynot built it in 1891; it is listed as a protected historic object. Several historical layers thus come together in one building: the architectural history of the church and the tomb from the late 19th century. The tomb can therefore be considered as a separate point of interest alongside the changes to the church building.
The Château de Saint-Phalle
The Château de Saint-Phalle tells a different story of construction. Louis de Saint-Phalle had it rebuilt; the main building was constructed from 1496. The château was probably laid out as a regular quadrilateral measuring around 50 metres on each side, with a tower at each corner and a moat running around it. Its probable shape and approximate dimensions give an idea of the reconstructed complex without establishing an exact, certain floor plan.
The church and château can also be compared chronologically. The church’s story centres on several building phases from the 12th through the 19th century. For the château, the focus is on its reconstruction from 1496 and the only probable picture of its form. This allows you to organise Cudot’s historic attractions according to whether you are more interested in the development of a church building or the reconstruction of a château complex.
Landscape and Pilgrimage
Cudot is located in the Bocage des Gâtinais. The town’s setting thus offers a landscape perspective alongside the church and château. When planning a stay, you can weigh up these different interests: the history of the church, the tomb of Sainte Alpais, the history of the château and the regional landscape.
Historical details about pilgrimage to Sainte Alpais have also been recorded: on 20 May 2024, participants could join in the morning, departing from Villeneuve-sur-Yonne at 8:00 or from Verlin at 10:30. These departure points and times apply to that specific date. If you are planning a pilgrimage at a later date, check the programme for the date in question.
When looking for a holiday apartment in Cudot, the town’s historic attractions can help guide your choice. Consider whether the church and tomb, the reconstructed château complex, or the landscape setting in the Bocage des Gâtinais is especially important to you during your stay. This way, you can tailor your search to the interests that bring you to Cudot instead of combining its different attractions into a single focus.
More destinations
Discover more destinations: Villefargeau, Cussy-Les-Forges, Bierry-les-Belles-Fontaines, Thury, Venoy, Chemilly-Sur-Yonne, Châtel-Censoir, Saint-Julien-du-Sault
Go to the main travel overview: Yonne.
