Chassignelles brings together the construction history of the Canal de Bourgogne and a stage of the Le Tour de Bourgogne à vélo cycle route. This gives you two specific areas of focus when planning your trip: the lock and washhouse architecture, and the cycle route between Ancy-le-Franc and Montbard. The Armançon River also runs through the town. First decide whether architectural history or cycling is the main reason for your trip; this will determine which local features matter most to you.
Canal history and architectural features
The canal section that includes the Chassignelles lock was opened to navigation in 1832. From 1879, the lock was lengthened as part of its adaptation to the Freycinet standard. The dates refer to different scales: 1832 marks the opening of the section, while 1879 marks the start of a later structural change to the individual lock. This distinguishes the development of the waterway from the lock’s lengthening.
The lock keeper’s house in Chassignelles is built in the Foucherot style and has a rectangular floor plan. The style designation classifies the house architecturally, while the floor plan describes its shape. In this way, the architecture of the house adds another perspective to the technical chronology of the lock.
The washhouse in Chassignelles was built in 1837 below Lock 79. It is partly underground and has a rectangular floor plan, with a central basin that is also rectangular. As a washhouse with an impluvium, it dates from the 19th century. Its construction followed the opening of the canal section in 1832 and preceded the start of the lock’s lengthening in 1879.
Church and visiting hours
The Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste preserves wall paintings that were restored between 2004 and 2008. Visits are possible in July and August on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 3 to 6 p.m. Check the times before your trip, as visiting arrangements may change. This lets you compare your potential church visit with the published seasonal hours.
Waterways and cycle stage
The Canal de Bourgogne and the Armançon River run through Chassignelles. A notable white mulberry tree stands at the entrance to the town on the road to Ancy-le-Franc. These details describe different local features: two waterways running through the town and a distinctive tree at a precisely identified entrance.
The Ancy-le-Franc–Montbard stage of the Le Tour de Bourgogne à vélo cycle route follows the towpath along the Canal de Bourgogne as a greenway and includes Chassignelles. The town’s church and washhouse are listed as sights along the stage. Both the named route section and the listed sights are therefore relevant when planning. Route conditions may change seasonally; check the latest route description before setting out.
Find hotels based on your reason for travel
If the Ancy-le-Franc–Montbard stage is your main focus, consider Chassignelles as part of this route; if you are primarily interested in culture, pay particular attention to the church’s seasonal visiting hours.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Georges-Sur-Baulche, Mélisey, Courson-Les-Carrières, Andryes, Courlon-sur-Yonne, Vincelles, Turny, Venoy.
Go to the regional travel overview: Yonne.
