The Rochers du Saussois give Merry-sur-Yonne a distinctive natural character: limestone cliffs line the Canal du Nivernais, alongside dry grasslands, ravine woodlands and rare flora. With the Église Saint-Denis, a long-distance hiking trail, and options for climbing, cycling and a boat trip, the village offers something for a range of travel interests.
Cliff scenery along the Canal du Nivernais
The Rochers du Saussois are designated as an Espace Naturel Sensible (ENS). The Département de l’Yonne reported this designation in September 2025. The landscape includes spectacular limestone cliffs, dry grasslands with a Mediterranean character and ravine woodlands. Notable wildlife includes the peregrine falcon and the eagle owl, among others. Near Merry-sur-Yonne, the cliffs meet the Canal du Nivernais along section 60 of the Seine slope. Here, the cliff landscape and the canal meet directly.
Hiking, climbing and cycling
The GRP Les méandres de l’Yonne is a 72-kilometre hiking trail that runs along both sides of the Yonne Valley. It is classified as difficult and marked in red and yellow. Highlights of the section near Merry-sur-Yonne include the Église Saint-Denis and the Rochers du Saussois. In this section, the trail therefore brings together natural and cultural points of interest, while its full route covers a longer hiking distance.
The Rochers du Saussois are considered a climbing area, with vertical walls up to 50 metres high and 200 climbing routes. If you would like to climb there, check the current access conditions and any restrictions before your trip. Another way to explore is offered by Escale Villages, with a two-day cycling tour from the Rochers du Saussois to the medieval village of Cravant. The two activities therefore involve different considerations: the GRP is described by its length, difficulty and trail markings, while the cycling tour is defined by its duration and destination.
You can also include the Canal du Nivernais in your plans from the water: Plaisance Fluviale offers a boat trip on the canal from Merry-sur-Yonne. Check availability with the provider before your trip. Hiking, cycling, climbing and a boat trip are different ways to shape your trip; the specific details of distance, duration and access vary for each.
Architecture and art in Merry-sur-Yonne
The Église Saint-Denis dates from the late 12th century. It was extended or altered over the following centuries, particularly in the 16th, 19th and 20th centuries. Its nave is divided into five aisles and has side aisles; the choir has a straight end. A tower is attached to the north side of the façade. Its architectural history thus extends well beyond the original medieval structure.
The painting “Vie de saint Denis” is also among the town’s dated cultural objects: it dates from the 18th century and was registered as a protected movable cultural object on 22 June 2021. The architecture and painting offer different ways to explore local cultural history—one through the development of a church building, the other through an individual work and its classification.
Burgundian cuisine
For a culinary highlight, visit the restaurant Le Saussois in Merry-sur-Yonne. It serves Burgundian specialities, including the popular Bœuf bourguignon. This regional cuisine adds another dimension to the village’s nature, hiking and cultural attractions.
Discover more destinations: Châtel-Censoir, Vault-De-Lugny, Pontaubert, Poilly-Sur-Serein, Châtel-Gérard, Armeau, Sougères-En-Puisaye, Annay-Sur-Serein.
For the broader travel overview: Yonne.
