In Pourrain, options for a stay range from the public summer swimming area and guided hikes to historic cultural sites. The focus is on outdoor activities, seasonal swimming and history spanning the 16th to the 20th century. To plan your visit, you can first decide whether outdoor activities, swimming, or architectural and art history should shape your stay. The specific waypoints and historical details offer different points of reference.
Summer Swimming, Hikes and Trails
Baignade de Nantou is a public summer swimming area maintained each year by around 15 volunteers. A closure notice dates from 2022; check before visiting whether the swimming area is open during the season in question.
Les Sentiers de l'Ocre organizes regular hikes with trained guides, as well as Nordic walking in Pourrain. This lets you choose between guided hikes and another organized form of outdoor activity. Dates may change; if taking part is important to your plans, check the schedule in advance.
The two trails also offer different points of reference for planning. The route information for the Boucle de Pourrain was updated in 2024 and gives 4 Rue de Nantou in Pourrain as the starting point. Check before setting out whether this is still the starting point. Two kilometres from the start, the hike reaches a higher point with 360-degree views over the Auxerrois. The Aux portes de la Puisaye trail starts at Place du Château d'Eau in Pourrain, where there is a large vehicle parking area. This makes it possible to choose based on different preferences: the Boucle offers a viewpoint along the way, while the parking area at the start is a practical point of reference for Aux portes de la Puisaye.
Architectural Heritage and Events
The Chapelle Saint-Baudel dates from the first half of the 16th century. Its wood-panelled vaulted ceiling features 17th-century paintings. The building and the paintings therefore belong to different periods: visitors interested in the building can also take note of the later decoration on the ceiling.
The Grotte Notre Dame de Lourdes in Pourrain was also built by members of the local community. It was built in fulfilment of a vow made by Abbé Bruni, should he return from deportation. The grotto was inaugurated on 8 August 1954.
The Church of Saint Serge Saint Bach has wooden furnishings dating from the 18th century. Most of the pieces come from Notre Dame de la Cité, a building near Auxerre Cathedral that was demolished during the French Revolution. This provenance connects the church's furnishings with a building near Auxerre Cathedral and gives the furniture an additional historical dimension.
Another cultural highlight is the association Poussière d'Ocre, which has welcomed visitors to the Domaine de l'Ocrerie in Pourrain since 2019. There it organizes art exhibitions, performances, conferences, book signings and concerts. Its programme adds a changing schedule of events to the historic sites. As dates vary, check in advance what is planned during your visit.
Discover more destinations: Thory, Auxerre, Poilly-sur-Tholon, Nitry, Vergigny, Bierry-les-Belles-Fontaines, Piffonds, Taingy.
For the broader travel overview: Yonne.
