Noyers: Half-Timbered Houses, History and Culture

Noyers is a destination for anyone looking to include a medieval townscape and culture in their travel plans. Noyers-sur-Serein is a medieval town and is one of the “Plus Beaux Villages de France” (Most Beautiful Villages of France). Half-timbered houses, cobbled lanes and a series of small squares shape the townscape. Other attractions include the parish church of Notre-Dame, the site of the Vieux Château, a themed interpretation trail, and music and wine experiences. When looking for a hotel for a trip to Noyers, you can decide what to focus on: architectural history, a walk, a festival, art or regional experiences.

Medieval Townscape and Architectural History

The town's medieval character is evident not only in individual buildings, but also in the sequence of squares, the cobbled lanes and the half-timbered houses. Together, these elements shape the townscape of Noyers-sur-Serein. Culturally minded visitors can take in both the character of the town and its individual buildings. The parish church of Notre-Dame has been protected as a Monument historique since 11 April 1906; construction campaigns at the church are dated to 1491 and 1515. Another architectural and cultural highlight is the Maison de la Toison d'Or. It is located in the medieval town between the town and the fortress.

Walk along the Serein and La Serpentine

A walk along the Serein leads to steps that provide access to the site of the Vieux Château. The site overlooks the valley. La Serpentine is also located at the site of the Vieux Château and is an interpretation trail with nature, historical and artistic sections. When planning your visit, you can choose between a riverside walk with steps leading up to the site and a trail that covers three themes. La Serpentine's themed sections bring together nature, history and art; the walk along the Serein leads to the access steps. These offer different ways to spend your time in Noyers.

Music and Art Throughout the Year

The Rencontres Musicales de Noyers have been held every summer since 1990. Over three weeks in July, the festival features concerts and public masterclasses. If music is the reason for your trip, this period is a specific point of reference. Check event dates before you travel.

The Musée des Arts Naïfs et Populaires de Noyers offers a different cultural focus. Its collections of naïve and folk art are displayed across three floors and 1,500 m² of exhibition space. This offers two distinct cultural interests: concerts and masterclasses at the festival, and collections of naïve and folk art at the museum.

Wine, Carriage Rides and Guided Tours

Domaine des Pergolas offers cellar tastings of its wines. Noyers also offers carriage rides: a 20-minute historical tour and an apéro carriage ride with wine and snacks. The two rides differ in their stated duration and focus; the apéro ride includes wine and snacks.

The Bureau d'Information Touristique offers guided tours of the medieval town for groups of six or more. Check the schedule before you travel. When choosing a hotel in Noyers, you can tailor your trip to your interests, such as architectural history, a walk, music, art or one of the wine and carriage activities mentioned above.

Discover more destinations: Magny, Sainpuits, Brosses, Andryes, Villeneuve-Les-Genêts, Merry-Sur-Yonne, Tanlay, Villeperrot

For the wider travel overview: Yonne.