Discover Pontaubert

Pontaubert lies in the Cousin Valley between Avallon and Vézelay. The Cousin flows along part of its course between Avallon and Pontaubert before joining the Cure. Church architecture, the history of religious orders, and historic buildings form the village’s cultural focus. If you’re looking for a hotel in Pontaubert, these themes can guide your trip planning: decide whether to focus on Romanesque architecture, surviving traces of local history, river structures, or a walking tour.

Romanesque church and Hospitaller history

The Church of the Nativity of Our Lady is a listed Romanesque church dating from the late 12th and early 13th centuries. The history of the village also includes the commandery of the Knights Hospitaller of Saint John of Jerusalem: Jocelin de Vault de Lugny founded it in Pontaubert in 1167, and it remained in operation until 1658. The commandery’s history thus spans almost five centuries. Pontaubert also preserves visible remains of the Hospitaller commandery and the leper colony. The church, commandery, and surviving remains offer different ways to explore the village’s religious, institutional, and social history.

Pont-Aubert Bridge and Moulin des Templiers

At the entrance to Pontaubert, Pont-Aubert Bridge crosses the Cousin on three arches. It was rebuilt and restored between the 12th and 19th centuries. The bridge is open to the public and can be visited; check local conditions before your visit. Its three-arch design and long history of rebuilding and restoration bring together form and change in a single structure.

Moulin des Templiers, also at the entrance to Pontaubert, has a long history: its origins date back to the 12th century. The waterwheel, millrace, and half-timbered facade have been preserved. These features make it possible to distinguish the mill’s technical elements and construction. The mill is also considered a favorite spot for fly-fishers today. If you plan to fish, check the current fishing regulations beforehand, as they may vary. The mill therefore combines a historical connection with a specific leisure activity enjoyed today.

Walk along the Chemin Bleu

Near Pontaubert, the Chemin Bleu offers a 2.4-kilometer family walk that takes about 25 minutes. It is possible to continue along the GR 13. The approximate duration provides a guide for planning your time; it is not an exact estimate for every visitor. Check current information about trail signs and maintenance before setting out. The distance and duration help you plan the walk as a separate activity; the option to continue along the GR 13 offers the possibility of going farther.

Domaine d’Orbigny

Domaine d’Orbigny in Pontaubert includes a park with its features and boundary walls, as well as a hydraulic system. The protected property also includes the facades and roofs of the château, its outbuildings and farm buildings, and the dovecote. These elements were listed as historic monuments by decree dated January 26, 2026. The protection thus covers both features of the park and water system, and parts of several buildings.

A park in the Cousin Valley

A ten-hectare park was created in the 19th century in the Cousin Valley at Pontaubert. Its features include a bridge, ponds, a viewpoint, and two grottoes. The paths are lined with about a thousand sandstone rocks extracted from underground. Ponds, grottoes, and rocks along the paths give the grounds their own distinctive landscape character. Together with the historic buildings, this park shows that Pontaubert’s cultural history can be read not only in individual buildings but also in the design of the landscape.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Germain-Des-Champs, Andryes, Piffonds, Saint-Agnan, Magny, Auxerre, Héry, Villebougis

For the broader travel guide: Yonne.