Clamecy

Visit Clamecy, Burgundy

Clamecy is in the Nièvre department of northern Burgundy, to the west of Vezelay (not to be confused with the small village of the same name in the Aisne region of Picardy).

Set in the wooded landscape of the Yonne Valley, Clamecy is an attractive small town that lies at the confluence of the Yonne and Beuvron rivers, and the Canal du Nivernais.

This riverside location made the town an important centre for wood transportation from the 16th-19th centuries, when wood was transported along the Yonne River by floating it downstream.

Exploring Clamecy

Your visit starts in Clamecy old town, with some very pretty medieval houses in the town, often in colombage, based in the region around the Saint-Martin church and along the Rue de la Monnaie and Rue du café. It is a pleasure to explore the narrow pedestrian streets, discovering impressive buildings at each turn - the half-timbered medieval Maison du Tisserand is a particularly interesting medieval house (and among my favourites of its type in France).

This historical region is now officially protected from development (a 'secteur sauvegardé).

Among particular highlights, you can see the Collegiale Saint-Martin with a gothic style tower built in the early 16th century and with some ornate stonework including some gargoyles and an imposing entranceway.

See also the grand artillery school (now the Francois Mitterand centre) and the protestant temple.

In contrast to the historical centre of Clamecy there is a very unusual curious neo-byzantine style church in the town, the Church of Notre-Dame-de-Bethlehem, notable for being one of the first churches in France to be built from concrete, in 1926. Personally I prefer concrete buildings to look modern and churches to look old, but i'm no architect, see what you think yourself.)

The Romain Rolland Museum of Art and History explains the historical importance of the region, and how it developed around the business of floating wood downstream along the river, as well as featuring various items of archaeological interest found nearby.

Places close to Clamecy

It is pleasant to walk or cycle along the canal, and barge holidays are also a popular way to explore the canal, which passes through a great deal of attractive Burgundy countryside.

The countryside around Clamecy is promoted as the Vaux de Yonne, and there are many quaint villages to explore, each with their own individual characteristics. Among our favourites are Armes, Dornecy, Oisy, Surgy and Chevroches.

Note: photo is copyright.

Tourist classifications for Clamecy: Village in bloom (ville fleurie) 3*; 'Historical protected town centre' (secteur sauvegardé);

Suggested places to visit near Clamecy, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Auxerre 38km; Montreal 40km; Noyers-sur-Serein 44km; Chablis 45km; La Charite-sur-Loire 49km; Pontigny 52km; Sancerre 53km; Tonnerre 56km; Morvan Regional Park 57km; Saulieu 57km; Nevers 59km; Joigny 59km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Clamecy

Clamecy tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Basilique Sainte Madeleine (Vezelay) - religious monument (17km) : Prieuré de Saint Révérien (Saint-Reverien) - religious monument (28km) : Eglise de Saint Barthélémy (Cervon) - religious monument (30km) : Eglise de Notre-Dame-du-Pré (Donzy) - religious monument (33km) : Parc et jardin du château du Chatillon en Bazois - remarkable garden (46km) : Abbaye de Notre Dame (Charite-sur-Loire) - religious monument (49km) : Abbatiale Notre Dame (La Charite-sur-Loire) - religious monument (49km) : Eglise de Saint Martial (Seignelay) - religious monument (50km) :

French version: see Clamecy (Francais)