Joigny

Visit Joigny, Burgundy

Joigny is between Auxerre and Sens in the Yonne department of the Burgundy region, in a picturesque setting on the banks of the Yonne River. Overlooked by the renaissance Chateau des Gondi Joigny is a very pleasant town to pass a morning exploring, with several notable historical monuments.

The part of Joigny that includes the old town and the river bank is now designated a zone of protected development to ensure it retains its important heritage and appeal.

Exploring Joigny

Park in one of the car parks along the northern side of the river and start your visit on the old stone bridge in Joigny. The tourist office is at the northern end of this bridge). To the south of the bridge is the bustling shopping street called Avenue Gambetta while the historical centre is to the north of the bridge.

The most notable individual sights are perhaps the ancient houses on the hill above the Yonne River, several of which include some interesting medieval carvings included in their half-timbered facades. Among others you can see the Maison de Bois on Place Saint-Jean by the entrance to the castle, then the 'House of the Tree of Jessé and the 'House of Seven Heads' (follow the Rue Montant au Palais and the Place du Pilori).

There are several churches and chapels to explore in the town. The church of Saint Jean and its interior decoration is the most notable, with its vaulted ceiling, statues and carvings, and decorative tombs. The other important church in Joigny town centre is the gothic style Church of Saint-Thibault, built in the 16th century.

There are also some very fine townhouses from the 16th-17th centuries (these also often have interesting decorative and carved facades, representative of the renaissance period). The most impressive is the renaissance style Chateau des Gondi on the Rue Dominique Grenet south of the Church of Saint Jean.

The medieval ramparts of the town that once protected Joigny are still standing in places, and include one of the original arched stone doorways through the early castle walls at the Porte Saint Jean and another imposing gateway at the north of the town called the Porte du Bois.

Attractions nearby

Joigny is a good base to explore both the Yonne River and the two canals that meet in the town - barge and boat trips are available (and very picturesque).

We followed a driving route in the countryside around the town suggested by the Joigny tourist office that includes the roman church at Laroche Saint-Cydroine, the impressive frescoes in the church at La Ferté-Loupiere, the 'Art Brut' collection of La Fabuloserie at Dicy (see www.fabuloserie.com) and the extensive collection of the Museum of Popular Arts at Laduz (see www.laduz.com). All aspects of the tour are highly recommended and the drive makes a very pleasant day out from Joigny.

Tourist classifications for Joigny: Village in bloom (ville fleurie) 3*; Recommended detour town (plus beau detour); Listed town of Art and History; 'Historical protected town centre' (secteur sauvegardé);

Suggested places to visit near Joigny, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Tonnerre 45km; Guedelon 48km; Tanlay castle 54km; Chateau de Motte-Tilly 54km; Noyers-sur-Serein 55km; Clamecy 59km;

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

Joigny tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Eglise de Saint Martial (Seignelay) - religious monument (18km) : Abbaye de Pontigny (Pontigny) - religious monument (25km) : Jardins du manoir du Grand Courtoiseau - remarkable garden (31km) : Parc du château de Thorigny - remarkable garden (34km) : Montargis - recommended detour (49km) : Arboretum national des Barres - site of natural beauty (50km) : Potager du jardin du château de La Bussière - remarkable garden (53km) :

French version: see Joigny (Francais)