Montigny-Sur-Aube: Castle, Gardens and Circuit d’Epailly

Montigny-Sur-Aube can be explored for trip planning through three distinct highlights: the Vergers-Potagers at the Château, the town’s architectural and commemorative history, and the Circuit d’Epailly. If you are interested in gardens and historic buildings, you can include these themes in your stay. For the circular trail, its length, difficulty and stated duration can help you plan your hiking day.

Walled gardens at the Château

The Parc et potager du château de Montigny-Sur-Aube has been awarded the “Jardin remarquable” designation. The Vergers-Potagers cover a 5,244-square-metre area enclosed by walls. Nine gardens are connected to the original irrigation network. In addition to their scale and layout, the grounds also include distinctive features: a bee garden and an apiary made of hemp-clay and timber framing.

The garden details offer visitors several points of interest: the total enclosed area, the nine gardens with their original irrigation network, and the beekeeping. The apiary also stands out for its specified building materials. The gardens therefore offer insights into both the layout of the grounds and a specific example of construction using hemp-clay and timber framing.

The Circuit d’Epailly as a longer hike

The Circuit d’Epailly is a moderately difficult 14.5-kilometre circular trail, with a stated duration of 4 hours and 30 minutes. It starts and ends at the parking area on Place du 19 mars 1962 in Montigny-Sur-Aube. Between Montigny-Sur-Aube and Courban, the trail passes through forests and agricultural plains. Together, the distance, difficulty and duration provide a basis for planning your day; the landscape description adds information about the different areas along the route.

Check trail conditions and markings again before setting out. You should also check parking availability at the start and end points before you travel.

Castle history and remembrance

An early historical landmark is a fortified castle dating from the 12th century. The Château de Montigny-Sur-Aube was built by Jean d’Amoncourt between 1537 and 1552. The plans for the castle chapel are attributed to Jean Bullant. The grounds, park and chapel were classified as historic monuments in 1961. The fortified castle and the construction of the Château thus represent different historical landmarks.

An audio-guided tour listed for 2026 includes the 16th-century Renaissance chapel. As the tour is seasonal, check before travelling whether it will be available on your dates.

The Espace Harry Truman was inaugurated on 11 October 2018. A stele made of Semond stone commemorates Harry Truman’s stay at the Château in 1918. The two dates refer to different events: 1918 to the stay, and 2018 to the inauguration of the memorial site.

Other buildings in the town

The Eglise de l’Assomption was built by Jean d’Amoncourt in 1547 on the site of the former castle chapel. The church contains the tomb of its founder and that of his son, René d’Amoncourt. The washhouse on Rue Grande dates from the 19th century. These buildings add further historic sites and periods to the castle’s history.

Getting there and seasonal offerings

Mobigo bus line LR 128 between Châtillon-sur-Seine and Gevrolles stops in Montigny-Sur-Aube. Check the current timetable before travelling. Parking is available on the village square in front of the Château’s enclosure.

A La Table Des Jardiniers serves the “Coffret Fraîcheur”, prepared by the chef with produce from the estate’s fruit and vegetable gardens. You can enjoy it on the terrace, in the orangery or take it away. The offering is seasonal; check before travelling whether it will be available on your dates.

Discover more destinations: Essey, Bligny-Sur-Ouche, Gerland, Marey-Lès-Fussey, Ahuy, Jours-Lès-Baigneux, Aisey-Sur-Seine, Gevrolles.

For the broader travel guide: Cote-Dor.