Noyers-sur-Serein travel guide
Visit Noyers-sur-Serein (Burgundy-Franche-Comté, France)
Photo Gallery Book a visitNoyers (full name Noyers-sur-Serein) is a village in the pretty setting of the Chablis countryside on the banks of the River Serein, south-east of Auxerre in the Yonne department of Burgundy.
The village is officially listed as a 'most beautiful village of France'.
Explore Noyers-sur-Serein
Noyers is a very attractive village with a well-preserved 15th century medieval centre which, despite the presence of a couple of small supermarkets, successfully creates the impression that you have entered into another era.
You will enter the village through one of the 19 of the original 23 fortified gates and towers that are still standing and give access to the town centre. Inside the walls you will discover numerous traditional colombage and stone houses.
Here inside the walls you can simply stroll along the cobbled streets, each as impressive as the next, with the half-timbered old houses bending under the weight of the centuries. There are also a selection of cafes and a small number of gift shops in the centre of Noyers-sur-Serein.
Buildings of particular interest in Noyers include the 17th century town hall with its ornate baroque style facade, the 15th century church of Notre-Dame with a square tower decorated with gargoyles, the 19th century lavoir (public linen washing area) and the remains of a castle.
In total there are 78 classified historic monuments in the town!
The church is not quite in the medieval centre, but is close by. This is unusual, because in most medieval settlements the church is at the heart of the village. Perhaps the centre of Noyers has moved a little over the centuries? The church is still within the fortifications.
The enjoyment of a visit continues outside the fortified walls where you can walk along the river bank to see the remains of the old castle, and get a different perspective on the town itself - along with the chance to see more beautiful buildings poised above the ramparts.
Also outside the ramparts, to see the lavoir (and a very scenic view along the river) walk straight out along the road from the main town entrance gate.
There is also an important museum of Naive Art in Noyers-sur-Serein.
Attractions nearby
The rolling countryside around Noyers contains many picturesque villages, towns and historic monuments: for example Montreal to the south of here and Chablis to the north-west.
A little further and among our personal favourites are the abbey at Fontenay and the small town of Semur-en-Auxois.
You can find more travel ideas in the Yonne guide and the Burgundy guide.
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Map of Noyers-sur-Serein and places nearby
Visit near Noyers-sur-Serein with France This Way reviews
Chateau d'Ancy-le-Franc
The 15th century castle at Ancy-le-Franc was one of the very first renaissance style castles to be built in France
Chateau d'Ancy-le-Franc guide
Montreal
Behind its fortified entrance, the small village of Montreal is a very unspoiled medieval village
Montreal guide
Tonnerre
There are two impressive sites to see in Tonnerre: the medieval hospital complex, and the water source called the Fosse Dionne
Tonnerre guide
Chateau de Tanlay
The frescoes and interior decoration are among the highlights of a visit to the moated Tanlay castle
Chateau de Tanlay guide
Chablis
Best known for the very famous wines of the same name, Chablis is also a pleasant village to explore with plenty of opportunities for wine-tasting
Chablis guide
Avallon
Avallon is a very pleasant town to explore with some very imposing medieval buildings, and the countryside of the Morvan Regional Park is very close by
Avallon guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Yonne
Tourist classifications for Noyers-sur-Serein
Noyers-sur-Serein is classified as a one of the most beautiful village in France (plus beau villages)
Address: Noyers, Avallon, Burgundy, 89310, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 47.697, longitude 3.9947
Plan your visit to Noyers-sur-Serein, Yonne
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Jardin du moulin de Athie: remarkable garden (24 km)
- Abbaye de Fontenay (Montbard): religious monument (27 km)
- Asquins église St Jacques (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (30 km)
- Abbaye de Fontenay: remarkable garden (30 km)
- Fontenay Abbey: heritage site (30 km)
- Vézelay basilica St Madeleine (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (32 km)
- Abbaye de Pontigny (Pontigny): religious monument (32 km)
- Vezelay: heritage site (32 km)
- Potager du château de Lantilly: remarkable garden (33 km)
- Auxerre: secteur sauvegarde (33 km)
- Eglise de Saint Martial (Seignelay): religious monument (37 km)
- Jardin du prieuré: remarkable garden (40 km)
The French version of this page is at Noyers-sur-Serein (Francais)