Pierre-Perthuis brings together a striking rock arch, a castle documented since the 11th century, and walking trails with varied route profiles. The village lies on rocky hills in the Cure Valley. It is also located in the Parc naturel régional du Morvan and in the classified area of Vézelay, which is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Rock Arch and Setting
The Roche Percée is a natural rock arch measuring about 6 by 8 metres. It stands around 20 metres above the Cure and about 500 metres from the village centre. This puts the natural landmark in context: it forms part of the riverside landscape while also being a short distance from the village centre. Its dimensions and location make the Roche Percée a distinctive reference point for taking in the rocky surroundings of Pierre-Perthuis.
Castle, Church and Bridges
The Château de Pierre-Perthuis stands on a rocky plateau above the Cure. Significant visible remains survive from this important castle, documented since the 11th century. These include defensive gateways and gates, parts of the wall of the first fortification, the mound of the keep and a rampart walk. The manor house and presbytery, flanked by two towers, are also part of what remains. Together, these individual structures give the castle complex a layered character rather than reducing it to a single ruin.
The château is open to the public. Parking for all types of vehicles is available at the château, which can be reached via a municipal road. Visitor regulations and parking and access conditions may change, so check them before your visit.
The Church of Saint LĂ©onard is housed in the former castle chapel and is believed to date from the 12th century. It was partly altered in the 16th and 19th centuries. Its apse dates from the 12th century, while the vaulted nave dates from the 15th or 16th century. The building also has a bell tower; its interior features frescoes, sculptures, a stained-glass window and a capital. The apse and nave thus reflect different periods of construction, while the later alterations add another layer to the architectural history.
The bridges also represent different periods of construction: the Grand Pont was built between 1872 and 1874. The Pont de Ternos, also known as the Pont Vauban, dates from around 1670. The different dates help distinguish the history of these two structures.
Compare Walks by Distance and Duration
Two walking routes with clearly distinct details are available for planning. “Le long de la Cure par le vieux pont de Pierre-Perthuis” is an easy PR walking route covering 9.2 kilometres, with a stated duration of 3 hours and 15 minutes. The route is unmarked, except for the red-and-white-marked GR 13 along the Cure.
The “Les ponts de Pierre-Perthuis” route from the Parc naturel régional du Morvan is a moderate PR circular walk covering 13.9 kilometres and taking 3 hours and 30 minutes. It passes through Saint-Père, Foissy-lès-Vézelay and Pierre-Perthuis. Compared with the easier route, it is 4.7 kilometres longer, while the stated duration is only 15 minutes longer. This difference between route length and stated time provides a concrete basis for comparison when choosing. Route details and markings may change; check them before setting out.
Explore Digitally
Another option is the digital tour “Le sortilège de la Vouivre”, available through the GuidiGO app. Check availability before your trip. These different ways of exploring add to a stay in Pierre-Perthuis: views of the Cure and the rock arch, visible castle and church buildings, the bridges’ construction history, and walks with clearly stated distances and durations.
Discover more destinations: Collemiers, VĂ©zinnes, Malay-Le-Grand, Druyes-Les-Belles-Fontaines, Dicy, Courgenay, Vincelles, Diges.
For the broader travel overview: Yonne.
