The Château de Piffonds visible today is the second château. After the original fortress of Courtenay was destroyed in 1367, its gradual reconstruction began in the 15th century. The two dates mark different stages in the history of the place: the destruction of the fortress and the start of its reconstruction.
Château history and Gothic architecture
Another precisely dated detail can be found at the dovecote of the Château de Piffonds: it has a movable vertical beam bearing the year 1472. This adds a specific architectural feature to the château’s history without reducing the entire building to a single date.
The Église Saint-Martin-et-Sainte-Radegonde can also be understood through its architecture. It displays Gothic features, including pointed-arch vaults, flying buttresses and tall stained-glass windows. The church also houses numerous religious works of art, including side altars and statues. Architectural features and furnishings thus stand alongside one another as different aspects of ecclesiastical art.
Another connection between sacred architecture and château history concerns the Chapelle de la Vierge. It lies south of the choir of the parish church of Piffonds and has always been regarded as part of the Château de Piffonds. Anyone interested in the architectural history of the place can consider this connection alongside the second château and the Gothic church.
Horse riding and pétanque
The Écurie du Châtel is a riding school and pony club. It offers riding lessons and courses for all ages and ability levels. Lesson times and booking conditions may change, so check in advance for the current offer. The Écurie also organises guided rides in the surrounding area with its instructors. Prior arrangements may be required for these rides.
Another activity is offered by Boule Puifondine: it welcomes players on Wednesdays and Fridays from 2 p.m. in the car park by the wash house in Piffonds. As participation conditions may change, it is advisable to check before planning a visit specifically for this activity. Horse-riding activities and pétanque thus differ not only in the activity itself, but also in how specifically a time is given for planning your visit.
From hamlet to hamlet through the countryside
The “La balade Puifondine et le Beau Luisant” route leads from hamlet to hamlet through the countryside around Piffonds. Its described course has a different focus from the individual buildings: here, the path through the surrounding countryside takes centre stage. Check the current condition of the route before setting out, as physical conditions may change.
Piffonds therefore offers various starting points for choosing a focus: château and church history, horse-riding activities, pétanque or a route through the countryside. You can decide which of these will shape your stay according to your interests and the current participation or route conditions.
Discover more destinations: Vézelay, Bierry-les-Belles-Fontaines, Champcevrais, Crain, Roffey, Pontaubert, Jully, Sougères-En-Puisaye.
For the broader travel overview: Yonne.
