Discover Bléneau: Water, Paths and History

Bléneau offers several distinct ways to shape a stay: water and trees at the Jardins d’Eau Pierre Doudeau, walking paths and a hiking option, the history of the Église Saint-Loup, and the Tuesday market. If you are looking for a hotel in Bléneau, these themes can guide your choice of destination: they help you decide whether nature, activity, local history or the market scene will define your stay.

Water and trees at the Jardins d’Eau Pierre Doudeau

The Jardins d’Eau Pierre Doudeau cover four hectares, including 1.3 hectares of water. The grounds use the Loing’s hydraulic system, which includes water supply, cascades, streams and fords.

The Jardins d’Eau Pierre Doudeau also feature more than 800 trees and shrubs. Examples include sweetgum, maples, bald cypresses, Chinese poplars, bamboo, dogwoods and tulip trees. This means the garden can be appreciated not only for its water features and hydraulic system, but also for its specific selection of trees and shrubs.

Walks and hiking trails

The gardens include a fitness trail and a children’s playground. The paved paths are suitable for walking and relaxing. As facilities may depend on local maintenance, check their condition before your visit.

The Étang des Baurois is also known as the Étang des Blondeaux. It is open to the public for walking and, with a permit, fishing; a path runs around the pond. If you plan to fish, take the required permit into account and also check local conditions.

A printable hiking leaflet is available for the Circuit Jeanne d’Arc trail. If you are considering this hike, you can include the leaflet in your preparations. The garden paths, the route around the Étang and the Circuit leaflet offer different options: a walk on paved paths, a waterside route and planning for a named hiking trail.

History of the Église Saint-Loup

The Église Saint-Loup is Bléneau’s oldest monument. Its construction is dated to the late 12th or early 13th century; it stands on the site of an earlier church dating from the 5th century. To understand the dates, keep the two statements separate: the 5th century refers to the earlier church on the site, while the date given for the Église Saint-Loup refers to its later construction.

A mural in the Église Saint-Loup depicts Jean II de Courtenay and dates from 1480. This brings together three points in time: the earlier church on the site in the 5th century, the monument’s construction around the turn of the 13th century, and the later artwork from 1480.

The Tuesday market

The Tuesday market in Bléneau is part of the Puisaye-Forterre network of weekly markets, where regional products are sold. Tuesday is a clear reference point for planning if visiting a market is one of your interests. The selection offered by individual vendors may vary.

Discover more destinations: Druyes-Les-Belles-Fontaines, Saint-Julien-du-Sault, Sacy, Champcevrais, Auxerre, Merry-Sur-Yonne, Turny, Coulanges-La-Vineuse

For the wider travel guide: Yonne.