At the Bas-Rebourseaux bird sanctuary, birdwatching goes hand in hand with an educational family trail about one kilometre long. The churches of Vergigny, Rebourseaux and Bouilly also each offer distinctive architectural and historical features. There is also GAEC du Val d’Auré in Bouilly, where visitors can learn about the dairy herd and the cheese-making workshop. If you are looking for accommodation in Vergigny, you can first decide whether to focus your stay on nature, architectural history or regional cheese culture.
Nature watching and walking trails
The Bas-Rebourseaux bird sanctuary has two birdwatching points, one of them beside the car park. The educational family trail is about one kilometre long and passes through woodland and open fields, as well as along the banks of the Armançon. The sanctuary therefore offers two ways to experience nature: birdwatching points and a trail linking different landscape features.
More than 194 bird species have been recorded at the sanctuary over the past ten years. This number may change as observations continue. Before your visit, check the current conditions at the birdwatching points and on the trail.
The Les Pas Curieux de Vergigny walking trail starts and ends in Vergigny. Check the trail conditions before setting out. When choosing a walk, you can decide between the family trail in the sanctuary, which is about one kilometre long, and Les Pas Curieux, which starts and ends in Vergigny.
Churches and architectural history
On the outside of Vergigny church, above the north chancel windows, a carved roof-beam corbel with decorative elements has been preserved, including a pig’s head.
Rebourseaux church is dedicated to Saint James the Greater and was built in the 12th century. It was restored during the Renaissance. Its coloured wooden vault is shaped like an inverted boat hull and decorated with carved flowers.
Bouilly church appears to date from the 15th century and is dedicated to Saint Peter. While Rebourseaux church was built in the 12th century, Bouilly church appears to date from the 15th.
There is also a contrast in the decorative features: in Vergigny, the pig’s head is on an exterior carved roof-beam corbel; in Rebourseaux, flowers are carved into a coloured wooden vault.
Regional cheese and a farm visit
GAEC du Val d’Auré in Bouilly, Vergigny, welcomes visitors who want to learn about the dairy herd and the farmhouse cheese-making workshop. Soumaintrain IGP cheese can be bought at the farm. Visiting and shopping are separate activities, so check the visitor arrangements and farm shop conditions before travelling.
Getting there
Saint-Florentin-Vergigny station provides access from Paris or Dijon in one hour and 30 minutes. Train services and timetables may change; check the latest connections before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Thory, Sacy, Annay-Sur-Serein, Andryes, Pontaubert, Saint-Julien-du-Sault, Collemiers, Cussy-Les-Forges
For the wider travel guide: Yonne.
