The Cure runs through Saint-Père, whose character is shaped by old stone houses and narrow lanes. Highlights range from the townscape and Saint-Pierre Church to the archaeological site of Fontaines Salées and the wines of Domaine de la Cadette. Together, they offer a variety of ways to shape a stay around the landscape, architectural history, archaeology and wine. You can choose your focus based on which of these aspects interests you most.
The Cure and the townscape
The Cure provides a clear geographical reference, as it runs through Saint-Père. The townscape includes old stone houses, some of which are still roofed with stone slabs, as well as narrow lanes. Entrances and cellars also shape the character of the town, complemented by washhouses and fountains. The focus is therefore not only on individual historic buildings, but also on the small-scale features that define the town’s appearance.
Fontaines Salées: archaeology and periods of history
The archaeological site of Fontaines Salées lies 1.5 km south of Saint-Père. The outdoor site and archaeological discovery centre present excavation findings and key features of the human societies that lived there from the Neolithic to antiquity. This covers several periods, combining excavation findings with insights into the societies that lived in the area. For orientation, note the distinction between its location and the Cure: the river runs through Saint-Père, while the site lies south of the town.
Saint-Pierre Church
Saint-Pierre Church adds architectural history to the archaeological focus. It dates from the 11th or 12th century and has been listed in the Supplementary Inventory of Historic Monuments since 1926. The two dates serve different purposes: the century places the church in its historical context, while 1926 marks when it was first listed in the inventory. Alongside the broad history of Fontaines Salées, this offers a specific point of reference for a single building.
Wine in Saint-Père
Domaine de la Cadette offers wine tastings and wine sales in its cellar. The address is 47 route d’Avallon, 89450 Saint-Père. Tasting and sales are two separate offerings at the same location. If wine is one of your travel interests, you can consider this alongside the town’s cultural attractions.
Activities and routes in the Vézelien
AMCK offers introductory canoeing and kayaking sessions, leisure activities and seasonal rentals. The rentals are seasonal, so if you plan to rent, check the relevant dates with the provider in advance.
The 2023 La ronde de Vézelay programme included three circular routes with loops of 50, 35 and 20 km. All three were scheduled to start at 9 a.m. at the Saint-Père campsite. The programme also included 8 and 15 km walks through the vineyards of the Vézelien. The distances cover a range of lengths: the shortest of the three circular routes is 20 km, while the walks are 8 and 15 km. As this programme dates from 2023, check the current event dates if you plan to take part.
Discover more destinations: Paroy-Sur-Tholon, Vaumort, Ligny-Le-Châtel, Sougères-En-Puisaye, Villeneuve-Les-Genêts, Avallon, Collan, Champignelles.
For the wider travel overview: Yonne.
