A ten-kilometre hiking trail, a Neolithic menhir and a church with architectural features from several centuries give Savigny-sur-Clairis a distinctive cultural and natural heritage. For planning, it is worth organising the options by interest: the Chemin Vert combines hiking and nature watching, while the church, pilgrimage history and historic waymarks offer other focal points.
Hiking the Chemin Vert
The Chemin Vert is ten kilometres long, is listed on the Yonne departmental hiking trail map and is marked in yellow from the town hall. It leads into the Bois de Bléry and to the La Pierre Aigüe menhir. One of the two Templar boundary stones can also be seen along the way. Hikers can spot typical regional trees and shrubs, as well as deer and wild boar. These natural and historical features are therefore found along the same hiking route. As local markings may change, it is advisable to check the route before setting out.
Pilgrimage history and historic markers
Savigny-sur-Clairis is one of the stops on the pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela where Saint Blaise is venerated. The Templars settled in Montezard and established Maison Saint-Blaise there as a nearby stopping point for pilgrims travelling to Santiago. This history offers a different way to discover the area than nature watching on the Chemin Vert: it brings the region’s religious connections to the fore.
The Croix Saint-Blaise also recalls this history. It was erected again in 1822 and later renamed the Croix de Mission. Later, the cross was moved to the crossroads of the departmental road and the chemin vicinal de la Renardière. The La Pierre Aigüe menhir tells of an earlier period: it is more than 2.50 metres tall, dates from the Neolithic period and served as a druidic centre during the Gallic era. This distinction matters when planning a hike: the Templar boundary stone and the menhir are on the Chemin Vert; the Croix de Mission has its own historical location description.
Saint-Pierre Church and the village setting
Saint-Pierre Church has an entrance porch, known as the Caquetoire, and a barrel-vaulted nave. Other features include a 12th-century bell tower and an 18th-century carved wooden high altar. The porch, nave, tower and altar offer different architectural points of interest, without reducing the building to a single feature.
Cycling route, golf and other activities
The Clairis en Cléry cycle route follows the river and connects villages, washhouses and churches; the route has its own signage and secured facilities. The 43-kilometre cycle route passes through Savigny-sur-Clairis. In the Gâtinais en Bourgogne area, its section offers eight kilometres of nature, heritage and peaceful rest stops. The distances refer to different sections of the route: 43 kilometres is the cycle route’s total length, while eight kilometres is the section in this area. The Clairis flows through Savigny-sur-Clairis and is a tributary of the Loing.
Another option is the Golf de Clairis, a 5,818-metre, par-72 golf course set in an extensive oak forest. The facilities also include a nine-hole footgolf course. The golf course is open year-round; external players can also take part in competitions. Check the operating conditions before travelling. This makes golf a distinct activity, while hiking and cycling offer other ways to experience the area’s nature and heritage.
Les Écuries de Clairis offers riding lessons for children and adults, as well as pony rides for children aged three and over. Contact the provider in advance to ask about times and booking options. Fishing is possible in the Clairis and in the municipal pond in Savigny-sur-Clairis; ask the local association about the applicable regulations. A public play area has facilities for children aged three to six, six to twelve and teenagers, including a zip line and a mountain bike track. A pétanque court is next to it. As recreational facilities may change, it is advisable to check current availability before visiting.
Discover more destinations: Châtel-Censoir, Maillot, Aillant-Sur-Tholon, Mélisey, Champs-Sur-Yonne, Chaumot, Merry-La-Vallée, Jussy.
For the overview of the wider area: Yonne.
