Discover Les Sièges

In Les Sièges, village history and hiking come together as themes for a stay. The Church of Saint-Cyr-et-Sainte-Julitte, old flint houses and the menhir “La Pierre à Colon” offer insights into the history of the village. There is also a circular hiking trail to the menhir, another route starting at the church, and a large forest with well-maintained avenues. When planning, different details about the routes are important, such as their length and walking time, a notable starting point or the views along the way.

Church, houses and traces of history

The Church of Saint-Cyr-et-Sainte-Julitte is in the heart of Les Sièges. Its oldest parts date from the mid-16th century. The village’s old houses also have a distinctive architectural feature: they are built of flint bonded with sand-and-lime mortar. This brings two different points of interest together: the age of the church’s oldest parts can be placed in a historical context, while the building materials and mortar used define the construction of the houses.

The menhir “La Pierre à Colon” is located in the Bois-Communaux of Les Sièges and has been classified as a historic monument since 1889. A marked circular trail runs along the ditches of former 16th-century fortifications and lets you walk around Les Sièges. Along with the church and menhir, the former fortifications offer another distinct perspective on the village’s history. The Louis XV-style bridge was built from the remains of the fortified gate—another tangible reminder of this history of fortifications.

Hiking trails with different highlights

The “Autour de Les Sièges – La Pierre Collon” circular hiking trail is 10 kilometres long, with a walking time of three hours. Along the route, you reach the menhir via the “Vallée aux coqs” forest path. It is about 100 metres from the marked turnoff. These details give you a clear idea of the hike. Check the route details before setting out, as trail conditions can change.

Another hiking route, “Les Sièges par les champs,” starts at the Church of Saint-Cyr-et-Sainte-Julitte and offers views of the Vanne valley. The two routes can be distinguished by their different features: the “La Pierre Collon” circular trail is defined by its length, walking time and path to the menhir; for “Les Sièges par les champs,” the starting point at the church and views into the valley are the main highlights.

Forest and views

The forest of Les Sièges covers 379 hectares. Its well-maintained avenues make hiking easier and offer another way to experience the local landscape. The “La Pierre Collon” circular trail offers views of Les Sièges and, in the distance, wind turbines near Les Clérimois, Molinons and Coulours. Viewpoints can vary depending on the season. Along the way, you can take in both views of the village and the more distant installations; the views may differ from season to season.

A practical point of reference in the village

Au Fournil d'Antan is a bakery at 24 Place de l’Église, 89190 Les Sièges. If you plan to visit, check the details in advance. This way, this specific destination in the village can be part of your plans without confusing the hiking trails or sights with an additional place to buy provisions along the way.

Discover more destinations: Périgny, Saint-Bris-Le-Vineux, Bierry-les-Belles-Fontaines, Avallon, Molinons, Sainte-Vertu, Montigny-La-Resle, Crain.

For the wider travel overview: Yonne.