They don't hesitate to keep a pair of sneakers in the car, they are always ready for new discoveries that involve work on both body and mind. The landscapes, the paths, the pretty corners and the best photo spots no longer hold any secrets for them, because they are lucky to live here!
Jogging with friends
My favorite “runner” route that I do with a friend regularly is from Sougères-en-Puisaye and towards Druyes-les-Belles-Fontaines. Passage of the trails, the forest and especially the arrival on the Druyes viaduct where you have a splendid view of the village and the castle.
Marked hike No. 11. This circuit takes you to the small village of Druyes-les-Belles-Fontaines, passing through wooded areas and cultivated areas. The return takes place on an old railway track. Between Les Roches and Pesselière, you can admire the cedars of Lavière and in Pesselières, the Sully as well as the remains of the old castle.
Trail outing with friends
Leave for a 15km outing between cobbled streets and trognes of Puisaye du bois des 4 francs. Departing from the birthplace of Pierre Larousse, pass by the pond and the morning mist which gently rises, the historic center and its half-timbered houses, then rush into the forest under the plant arches and its trognes (large trees with hairs of branches). On the way back, we pick up some bread from Julien, an organic baker, and then have a picnic at the organic store “lunch on the grass” run by producers, local cheeses and craft beers, to be enjoyed without moderation by the river. pond to reward the effort!
Marked hike No. 17. A path that smells like a smell. This tree, emblem of the edges of fields and woods, which for years fed animals or heated Poyaudine homes, presents countless specimens all along this path. On the way there and back, a wonderful discovery of the streets and alleys of Vieux Toucy. .
A family walk
You have to park at the town hall, and take the path which goes up towards the viaduct. We have a beautiful view of the caves and springs of the village. Passed under the bridge, you can take a short tour on it to admire the castle and head back towards the forest towards Panama, without forgetting to read its history. Going down there you have to imagine the meadows instead of the trees. Arrive at the Panama watering hole, look to see if there are any fish in it! Afterwards, you have to turn right following the old walls. We then walk between dunes of trees. It’s a magical and very exotic moment. Go back up the path on the right to return to the viaduct path. Do this ride dry and after a good rain, where the landscape is very different. After the rain, ducks can be found on the flooded part of Panama.
Medieval castle, viaduct, springs, wash houses and heritage, something to enjoy with the family! If that's not enough, a little bungee jumping to get the adrenaline pumping? Druyes-les-Belles-Fontaines is classified as one of the “Cities of Burgundy – Franche-Comté” villages.
In the shade of the forest
Train on the Chemins de Colette, a 5.6km hiking trail leaving from the village. Going against the direction of the marked route, from the church, go down towards the railway line to cross it and admire the Saint-Jean washhouse. Going back up, turn slightly to your left to take the path to the small mill. Continue for 1km, sinking into the undergrowth. In the middle of the coast, a path goes off to the left to have a breathtaking view of the village of Saint-Sauveur-en-Puisaye, its Sarrasine tower, the castle which houses the Colette museum and Colette's birthplace.
Marked hike No. 1. This path, dedicated to Colette, was opened in 1993 by students from the Colette college in Saint-Sauveur-en-Puisaye. Along this path, everything recalls the stories of this writer born in Saint-Sauveur-en-Puisaye in 1873. This author described her native country so well - even if she named the villages and the characters by other names. - that every corner smells of its literature.
A snack in the marshes
For a good idea for the end of the afternoon, I recommend a short walk around the Andryes marshes. If you don't make too much noise you may have the opportunity to see migratory birds. The walk is interesting because we travel through the forest, developed marshes and fields. Finally, you sit down with your troop on the tables provided to you to enjoy a well-deserved snack, while watching the swans on the lake. You can also find a fitness trail if the children need to move.
The departure is located in the car park located below the RD39.
(D/A) Follow the path with the pond on the left. Turn left to continue and keep the pond on the left. Go around via the path often laid out in the undergrowth.
(1) Arriving at the end of the pond, turn left once to join the access road and take it to the right.
(2) Go left at the aqueduct. Cross the river on the footbridge and turn right to reach the Pont des Buffières. Turn left without crossing the bridge and reach a second bridge.
(3) Just before this bridge, turn left, continue along the canal on the right. In front of the barrier, take the footbridge on the right. At the exit, turn left and follow this canal. In front of the hedge, turn left, cross over the footbridge.
(4) Turn left, then cross the Rivière de Druyes (also called the Ru d'Andryes) via the wooden footbridge.
At the exit of the latter, prefer either to follow the wooden path lined with reeds opposite or, at the exit of the footbridge, choose to take the Naturalité path.
In both cases, arrive on the old railway line, go on the left.
Join the car park (D/A).
An exotic day with the family
Our family day begins with a sporting activity in the woods of Puisaye, tree climbing, at the Bois de la Folie park, guaranteed relaxation for the children. Then lunch break, at Lac du Bourdon, at the Auberge du Lac with a view of the lake. Followed by an afternoon of swimming, beach, sand games with the children next door who quickly become the children's friends, bike ride... And finally, in the evening, head to the Café de la Poèterie in Saint-Sauveur -en-Puisaye, where children have fun and parents sip a mojito to music. It’s our family day in vacation mode!
