Châtel-Censoir

Vue du coteau des Bordes à partir de la colline du village

Une rue du village

Entrée par la poterne médiévale

Maison dans le village

Mare dans le village

Escalier montant vers la colline médiévale

Entrée dans le mur d'enceinte médiéval

Maison dans le village

Dans le village

Port de Châtel-Censoir

Fête du port de Châtel-Censoir

Le canal du Nivernais traversant le village

History

Châtel-Censoir village is located along the Yonne river to the meeting of two valleys dominated by a rocky promontory crowned with beautiful houses built on ancient fortifications. In the middle stands the Saint-Potentien abbey church (XII century historical monument) whose choir is built upon an older crypt. In the fifth century, the Auxerre bishop Censure built a castle that would have given the village its name: castrum censorium. “Castrum” became “Castel” then “Châtel”.
Châtel-Censoir is the home of the historian Vaulabelle, scholars Gustave and Edmond Cotteau, philanthropist Edmee Champion, test pilot colonel Rozanoff. In 1547, Charles Lecomte opened on the Yonne River the first log-driving road from Châtel-Censoir to Paris (“floating of timber”).
For complementary information: http://www.chatel-censoir.fr/

The village today

Châtel-Censoir village (675 inhabitants) offers all the amenities to make your stay easier – all of them around the Town Hall Square at 3 minutes walk from the cottage.
Regarding food shops, Ludivine and Cyril welcome you to the bakery and Paul Cordin to the butcher shop. Pascal holds a well-furnished grocery (“Proximarket”); he also opened a store providing newspapers, books, souvenirs, wine. Laurence welcomes you at the “bar-tabac” (pub) and proposes you to taste the local Burgundy wines. Anne flower shopkeeper makes the Town Hall square more attractive while providing as well local wines. Damien holds the only village restaurant, “L’Etape des gourmets”.. If if you need to have your hair done, Corinne runs a hairdressing salon. And the village also hosts a medical office and a pharmacy. To fill your car tank before visiting the surroundings, go to the Eric Merlot garage.
Do not hesitate to go on our behalf!

To facilitate your purchases, an ATM is set up in the main street. Post office and tourist information (open from June to September) point are next to the town hall.
Finally, the weekly market is held every Thursday morning on the town hall square. Warning! If you have parked your car on the square, it is better to move it on a Wednesday night.
All addresses and schedules of amenities are in the cottage welcome booklet.

Rides and activities in Châtel-Censoir

The village and its immediate surroundings has long excursion bicycle routes, relaxation, discovery and sports & nature activities.

Inside the village:

  • • Abbey church St. Potentien: eleventh century Roman style church built on the top of the village hill, partially rebuilt in the sixteenth century. The Abbey church St. Potentien on internet.
  • • The walls tour offers a beautiful one hour walk throughout historic village: abbey church, XIth castle remains, Yonne Valley panorama, etc. Download PDF
  • • Port and lock, swimming in the Yonne (campsite beach).
  • • Tennis.

In the immediate vicinity:

Faulin Castle at Lichères-sur-Yonne, 5 km by bike and 7 minutes by car: This fifteenth century castle was one of the shooting locations of the very well-known French movie “La Grande Vadrouille”. Open to visit in the summer. http://www.chateau-faulin.fr/

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