Vergigny: Nature, Birdlife and Churches

A trip to Vergigny brings together nature and outdoor activities, church architecture and a glimpse of agricultural life. The Bas-Rebourseaux ornithological reserve offers birdwatching spots and a family trail; Les Pas Curieux de Vergigny is a walking trail that starts and ends in Vergigny. The churches in Vergigny, Bouilly and Rebourseaux each showcase their own architectural and decorative features. At GAEC du Val d’Auré in Bouilly, visitors can learn about dairy farming and the production of farmhouse cheese. This selection is a practical starting point if you are looking for a hotel in Vergigny and want to plan your stay around your interests.

Birdwatching and nature at Bas-Rebourseaux

The Bas-Rebourseaux ornithological reserve has two birdwatching spots, one of which is next to the car park. There is also an educational family trail of about one kilometre through woodland and fallow land, and along the banks of the Armançon. This gives you the choice between individual observation points and a trail that takes in several types of landscape. Check trail conditions before setting out, as they may change.

More than 194 bird species have been recorded in the reserve over the past ten years. This figure provides an overview of the diversity recorded over time; the two observation spots are specific places for birdwatching. As recording continues, the number of species may change.

Churches with distinctive architectural and decorative details

On the exterior of Vergigny church, above the north chancel windows, a carved roof-beam support with decorative elements—including a pig’s head—has been preserved. Bouilly church appears to date from the 15th century and is dedicated to Saint Peter.

Rebourseaux church is dedicated to Saint James the Greater and was built in the 12th century. It was restored during the Renaissance. Its vaults are made of coloured wood, shaped like inverted boat hulls and decorated with carved flowers. The features offer different points of interest: a carved exterior detail in Vergigny, the dedication and cautiously estimated date of construction in Bouilly, and the building’s history and decorated vaults in Rebourseaux.

Walking trail and farm visit

The Les Pas Curieux de Vergigny walking trail starts and ends in Vergigny. This distinguishes it from the family trail in the reserve when planning your walks: Les Pas Curieux starts and ends in Vergigny, while the reserve trail is about one kilometre long. Check the conditions for each trail before setting out.

GAEC du Val d’Auré in Bouilly, Vergigny, welcomes visitors who want to learn about its dairy herd and farmhouse cheese-making workshop. Soumaintrain IGP can also be bought at the farm. If you are planning a visit or would like to buy cheese, check the visiting arrangements and sales conditions before travelling.

Getting to Vergigny

Saint-Florentin-Vergigny railway station provides connections from Paris or Dijon in 1 hour 30 minutes. As train services and timetables may change, check the current connection for your travel date before setting off.

Discover more destinations: Noyers, Villiers-les-Hauts, Lucy-sur-Yonne, Champcevrais, Appoigny, Lignorelles, Courlon-sur-Yonne, Châtel-Censoir

For the broader travel overview: Yonne.