Ruages combines distinctive architectural features with a landscape shaped by rivers, a stream and walking routes. At the Église Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption, the square bell tower and adjoining round tower stand out; the washhouse adds to the built heritage with a basin fed by a spring. For time outdoors, an 11 km circular route and Ruages’ location on the Way of St. James offer two different starting points. You can therefore shape your stay around architecture, walking or a mix of both.
Church, washhouse and other architectural features
The Église Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption has a square bell tower. The year 1773 is inscribed on a beam in the bell frame; a round tower is attached to the church. The date refers to the beam, and thus to a specific structural element. The furnishings also include a carved oak cathedra, or throne. Architectural details therefore range from the shape of the towers to an inscription and a carved wooden object. This gives you several distinct features to consider when exploring the church, rather than reducing it to its silhouette.
The Lavoir de Ruages was built before 1835 and dates from the first half of the 19th century. Its basin is fed by a spring. A public weighing scale stands beneath a lean-to roof; the site also includes a stone livestock trough. The washhouse offers a different perspective on the built heritage from the church: here, the basin, roof shape and several facilities take centre stage, while at the church the focus is on the bell tower, round tower and cathedra.
Another historical detail can be found in the hamlet of Le Maréchal: there is a livestock trough built in 1896. If you plan to visit it, check its condition beforehand. The Bal parquet de Ruages is set up on the fairground and was built in 1955. Alongside the older structures, it adds a mid-20th-century building to the picture of Ruages.
Waterways and walking routes around Ruages
Ruages lies in a secluded valley on the right bank of the Yonne. The Yonne and the Auxois, as well as the stream known as the ruisseau de Vignes, flow through the commune. The Canal Nivernais also runs nearby. These are different landscape features: the rivers and stream lie within the commune, while the canal runs in its surrounding area.
Ruages is the starting point for an 11 km circular walking route, which includes a designated picnic area. The stated distance gives you a specific guide for planning. Check local conditions before setting out. Ruages is also on the Way of St. James, the Chemin de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle. Conditions and waymarking can change when walking the Way of St. James, so it is also advisable to check for current information before departure. The circular route and the Way of St. James are two different options for planning and should not be treated as the same route.
Event dates and planning your stay
Ruages’ traditional Fête du Jambon is associated with the second weekend in August. Check the specific event dates for the relevant year before planning your stay around it. This lets you include the event in your travel plans without assuming the dates are the same every year.
When choosing accommodation, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: would you like to spend more time exploring the buildings, or plan one of the walking routes? If you are travelling for the Fête du Jambon, it is also worth checking the confirmed event dates against your travel days.
Discover more destinations: Thianges, Chitry-Les-Mines, La Machine, Anthien, La Collancelle, Saint-Révérien, Onlay, Magny-Lormes.
For the broader travel overview: Nièvre.
