Les Sièges combines distinctive local history with plenty of opportunities to explore on foot: the Church of Saint-Cyr-et-Sainte-Julitte is in the heart of the village, and a circular route follows the Vallée aux coqs forest track to the La Pierre à Colon menhir. This gives you two different focuses for a stay: the architectural traces in the village and the walking trails, with their details on duration and scenery. If you are looking for a hotel, you can first consider whether the walk or the local history will shape your day.
Church, Menhir and History
The Church of Saint-Cyr-et-Sainte-Julitte is in the heart of Les Sièges. Its oldest parts date from the mid-16th century; this dating applies to those sections, not to the entire building as a whole. The La Pierre à Colon menhir is in the Bois-Communaux of Les Sièges and has been classified as a historic monument since 1889. These provide two distinct points of reference in the village’s history: a church with parts dating from the 16th century and a protected menhir classified as a monument.
Architectural Traces in the Village
The old houses of Les Sièges also offer a concrete glimpse of local building methods: they are made of flint bound with sand-and-lime mortar. A marked circular route lets you walk around the village along the ditches of the former 16th-century fortifications. The ditches recall the village’s former defenses, while the houses show another detail of its character: the materials used and the mortar that binds them.
Another architectural trace is the Louis XV-style bridge, built from the remains of the fortified gate. Together with the ditches and the church, it offers different perspectives on local history: the oldest parts of a religious building, traces of former fortifications, and a bridge built using the remains of the gate. You can explore these details as separate themes during a stay in Les Sièges.
Walking: Duration and Route
“Autour de Les Sièges – La Pierre Collon” is a 10-kilometre circular walk with a walking time of three hours. On this route, you reach the menhir via the Vallée aux coqs forest track; it is about 100 metres from the indicated junction. The three hours refer to walking time, so allow extra time for breaks and your own visits when planning. Check the route details and trail conditions before setting out.
“Les Sièges par les champs” is another walking route. It starts at the Church of Saint-Cyr-et-Sainte-Julitte and offers views over the Vanne Valley. The two routes have different focuses: for La Pierre Collon, the distance and walking time, as well as the route to the menhir, help you plan; for Les Sièges par les champs, the starting point at the church and the views over the valley take centre stage. You can choose your walk based on which of these suits your day best.
Forest and Views
The 379-hectare forest of Les Sièges is crisscrossed by well-maintained avenues that make walking easier. The La Pierre Collon circular route offers views of Les Sièges and, in the distance, wind turbines near Les Clérimois, Molinons, and Coulours. Views may vary with the seasons, so bear this in mind if you have particular scenery in mind.
A Practical Stop in the Village
Au Fournil d’Antan is a bakery at 24 Place de l’Église, 89190 Les Sièges. If you would like to include a visit in your day’s plans, check the business details in advance. This adds a practical stop in the village to the historic landmarks and walking options, without needing to plan a separate food outing.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Sauveur-en-Puisaye, Tonnerre, Saint-Privé, Vézinnes, Collan, Lucy-sur-Yonne, Voutenay-Sur-Cure, Savigny-sur-Clairis
For the regional travel overview: Yonne.
