In Toucy, cultural highlights come together with a variety of trails: Saint-Pierre Church dates from the 13th century, galleries feature contemporary ceramics and crafts, and signposted routes offer their own perspectives on the landscape. Which themes you focus on depends on whether you are interested in history, regional products, art or a walk.
Church, Cinema and Cultural History
Saint-Pierre Church dates from the 13th century. The Tour des Évêques is a symbol of the church, adding a specific detail to this historical landmark that can be inferred from its name. In Toucy, both the church’s long history and its named symbol are in focus.
CINETOILE is a 74-seat cinema that grew out of the reopening of the former Lux cinema. If you are planning a visit, check the current schedule: screening times change. Any film night therefore depends on a specific programme and should not be inferred from the cinema’s name alone.
Market, Books and Ceramics
Toucy’s market offers fresh produce, local specialities and handmade goods. It brings together different aspects of the local offering: ingredients for your shopping, distinctive regional products and craft goods. The market is a destination in its own right, alongside the town’s cultural institutions.
The Espace “Pierre Larousse” houses an old collection of more than 500 books at present. It can be consulted on request through the Association. The Association Pierre Larousse also offers tours entitled “Sur les pas de Pierre Larousse à Toucy” and conferences on request. The collection, tours and talks are different ways to learn about Pierre Larousse and Toucy; the collection and conferences are each available on request.
The Galerie de l’Ancienne Poste exhibits contemporary ceramics and unique pieces signed by their makers, in a 17th-century hôtel particulier. L’Atelier Galerie focuses on a broader range of crafts, promoting crafts, art and design in Puisaye, including ceramics, sculpture, furniture, engraving and lighting. Those with a particular interest in ceramics will find a clear focus at the Ancienne Poste; L’Atelier Galerie covers a wider range of creative disciplines.
The Pyramide du Loup offers a different theme: its ecomuseum presents the history of the wolf from prehistoric times to the present day. Its chronological approach sets it apart from the church, book and ceramics themes. Here, interests in nature and culture meet through the history of an animal, without any particular visit duration being assumed.
Trails and Landscape
A 2023 municipal bulletin describes five playful information panels about the flora and fauna of the wet meadows along the Chemin le long de l’Ouanne. Check the trail’s condition before your trip.
“Nature et patrimoine de Toucy” is a signposted walking trail that follows scenic paths to several viewpoints. Check trail conditions and signage before setting out. The signposted route “Des ruelles pavées de Toucy aux trognes du Bois des Quatre Francs” takes a different direction, connecting Toucy’s old streets and lanes with its pollarded trees. Trail and seasonal conditions may change, so check before your trip. The two routes offer different points of interest: viewpoints on one, and old lanes and pollarded trees on the other.
Architecture and Getting There
The architecture of the Centre Aquatique La Baignade is inspired by traditional regional longhouses. Wood, flat tiles and large openings onto the pond promenade shape its design. If you are considering a visit, check the opening arrangements in advance.
For the Train de Puisaye, trains from Toucy-Ville currently run only as far as Dracy-sur-Ouanne, until further notice. As this restriction is considered temporary, check the latest service updates before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Ligny-Le-Châtel, Cravant, Lucy-sur-Yonne, Malay-Le-Grand, Bussy-Le-Repos, Avallon, Arcy-Sur-Cure, Savigny-sur-Clairis.
For the regional travel overview: Yonne.
