La Ferté-Loupière can be explored through a wide variety of themes. The Église Saint-Germain and the Jardin du Prieuré invite visitors to discover churches and gardens, while the donjon recalls the former castle. The art scene ranges from changing exhibitions to workshops and contemporary photography. Viewpoints across the landscape add to these cultural highlights. When planning your visit, you can first decide whether you want to focus on architectural history, gardens, art or a break from hiking.
Church, garden and traces of the castle
The Église Saint-Germain was classified as a Monument historique by decree on 13 July 1911. It is open free of charge every day from April to October: Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. The church also has a QR-code tour that you can access using a smartphone or tablet. If visiting the church is an essential part of your plans, check seasonal access information before your trip.
The Jardin du Prieuré lies at the foot of the church and is open to the public free of charge. Its distinctive features include a circular kitchen garden and a romantic water basin. The garden also serves as a venue for artistic and cultural exhibitions. The church and garden therefore offer different points of interest: a classified historic building on the one hand, and a landscaped garden that hosts exhibitions on the other.
Another link to architectural history is the surviving donjon, the only remaining relic of the former castle. It adds another dimension to the church: while the church is notable for its classification, the donjon stands out as the sole surviving remnant of the former castle complex.
Galleries, photography and workshops
Espace Acanthe is open as a gallery all year round. Different artists exhibit their work there each month. Acanthe also provides exhibition spaces for artists and craftspeople throughout the year. The monthly rotation of exhibitors offers a distinct reason to visit, while the gallery itself remains open year-round.
Acanthe also runs workshops in different materials: a bronze workshop on Wednesday afternoons and a clay workshop on Tuesday mornings. Additional courses may be offered at the artists’ initiative. If a particular workshop is important to your plans, check the current schedule before your visit.
The Atelier du Photographe is dedicated to contemporary photography. This adds a clearly defined photography theme to the changing artists’ exhibitions and hands-on workshops. Individual exhibition programmes may vary; if you are planning to visit for a particular exhibition, check the programme in advance.
Viewpoints across the landscape
The landscape offers a different focus from church visits and galleries: there are viewpoints where hikers on the GR 13 or another path can stop for a break. The appeal is specifically the chance to rest and take in the view. This means you can include a hiking break in the landscape alongside cultural sites, without having to plan a particular route in advance.
Discover more destinations: Cornant, Pierre-Perthuis, Saint-Sauveur-en-Puisaye, Marmeaux, Cravant, Ligny-Le-Châtel, Pontaubert, Sougères-En-Puisaye.
For an overview of the wider region: Yonne.
