A marked circular trail crosses the Branlin and leads to a point in front of the chapel of Château du Fort. For a stay in Mézilles, this creates a tangible connection between a designated walking route and a cultural destination. The town’s history also includes Le Fort and the church dedicated to Saint Mary; Jardin Ribaudin adds a landscape and garden-history dimension. These themes can help you choose Mézilles based on the interests you want to pursue on your trip.

Walking Route No. 69

The route “Le Moulin Rouge et le Château du Fort” is designated as marked Circular Trail No. 69 and also as a cultural and nature walking route for pedestrians. It starts at the car park of the community hall on the D965. Along the way, it crosses the Branlin and leads to a point in front of the chapel of Château du Fort. The starting point, river crossing and destination are all part of the same route. Its designation as a cultural and nature walking route reflects these features: the Branlin represents the connection with nature, while the chapel is the cultural destination.

Defensive History and Church Architecture

Le Fort is one of the surviving fortified houses associated with the defence of Saint-Fargeau. The term “fortified house” refers to a type of building that combines residential and protective functions. When choosing between local cultural themes, this offers a different focus from the church: Le Fort is about defence, while the church is about architectural development and furnishings.

The church of Mézilles, dedicated to Saint Mary, was rebuilt during the Renaissance, when the side aisle and the seigneurial chapel were added. A wall painting depicting the martyrdom of Saint Blaise was restored in the church; its wooden ceiling has also recently been restored. The additions belong to the Renaissance building phase; the restoration concerns the wall painting and wooden ceiling. Another aspect of local history is the parish church of Mézilles, which has been classified as a Monument historique since 1976. The year refers to this classification, not to the Renaissance rebuilding.

Jardin Ribaudin: Garden and Water Supply

Jardin Ribaudin is a 19th-century garden with canals, an orchard, a vegetable garden, a dovecote and an icehouse on the island. The orchard and vegetable garden indicate cultivation, while the dovecote and icehouse add architectural features to the grounds. The canal system is fed by the Branlin and supplies water to private washhouses. So the focus here is not only on garden areas, but also on water management and its practical function. The garden offers a different theme from the named walking route: the emphasis is on the grounds and the use of water, not the route and its destinations.

Discover more destinations: Pierre-Perthuis, Montigny-La-Resle, Poilly-Sur-Serein, Montillot, Moulins-sur-Ouanne, Accolay, Villeperrot, Saint-Georges-Sur-Baulche

For the broader travel overview: Yonne.