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Montréal

Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Yonne

Montréal - Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Yonne
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Listed among the most beautiful villages of France, Montréal in Burgundy offers stunning views over the Serein Valley. Located about ten kilometres from Avallon, this wonderful village transports its visitors into a medieval atmosphere where lords, knights, merchants and craftsmen once rubbed shoulders in the time of the Crusades. Beautiful period houses, some with mullioned windows or colourful gardens, line the main street and some picturesque lanes. Its two fortified gates, En-Haut and En-Bas, are vestiges of the ancient ramparts and evidence of its eventful past.

Right at the top of the village, near a panoramic viewpoint over the surrounding countryside, you can admire the Collegiate Church of Our Lady. It was built in the 12th century and restored in the 19th century by the architect Viollet-le-Duc. Its imposing façade, with its round-arched portal and beautiful rose window, as well as its 15th-century alabaster altarpiece and its remarkable oak choir stalls decorated with carved figures, are sure to make an impression on heritage-lovers!

Additional information
Montréal

Homonym of the famous Canadian capital, the tiny village of Montréal is located in the Yonne, in the heart of Burgundy. Located at the top of a hill, it overlooks the Serein, and is about ten kilometers from Avallon. It is adjacent to the Côte-d'Or, the Nièvre and the Saône-et-Loire, and is very close to the geographical center of Burgundy. The commune of barely 200 inhabitants, was in the sixth century the residence of Queen Brunehaut and her grandson Thierry, and it is from this royal residence that she owes her name.

This small feudal village is not lacking in charm with its old houses and its original architecture. It is ideally located to discover all the remarkable sites of the region such as Noyers, Époisses, the Regional Natural Park of Morvan or Montbard.

Things to see and do

Former medieval village, Montréal still has some vestiges that allow to learn more about this rich and important history.

The collegiate church of Notre-Dame is one of the most beautiful buildings to discover in Montréal today. Built in the 12th century by the Ansaris, it is at the top of the hill, near the ancient castle. Between the Romanesque style and the Gothic style, it was restored by the famous architect Viollet-le-Duc. Today you can admire a group of sculpted stalls dating from the 16th century. In oak, they are due to the generosity of Francis I during his second stay in the village of Montréal. They represent scenes from the old and the new testaments.

It is still possible to discover vestiges of the medieval period with remains of the fortifications of which the oldest date from the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. Of the old castles of Ansic and the Dukes of Burgundy, there remains only an old well situated in the middle of the great esplanade.

Walking through the village, old houses reveal themselves to the visitors. Note, for example, on the 10th of the main street built in 1606 and having a coat of arms on the façade, on the 24th of the main street with a Francis I turret inside the house or on the vestiges of the old Hall on the town hall square. There remains a carved stone of a salamander placed in honor of King Francis I who made several stays in Montréal.

Little more for the families, booklets of playful visits for the children are offered to the Office of Tourism.

Places of interest

Monuments

Events and festivities

Former royal square, the village of Montréal still offers today interesting animations and particularly playful recalling its past.

A market takes place every Wednesday from 17:30 to 20:00, in the square of the priory, from April to All Saints' Day. On this occasion donkey rides are offered.

At the end of July, and beginning of August, a historical and free street show "Montréal en Lumière", has been held for more than 10 years. These different paintings settle in the streets of the commune, with more than 100 volunteers.

In mid-August, there is a weekend dedicated to Art with the annual exhibition "Artists and Craftsmen exhibit in the barns and gardens".

Guided tours of groups are possible, by reservation at the Tourist Office +33 3 86 49 02 82, or ot.ac.noyers-montreal@orange.fr; Individual visits take place in July, August and September, on Tuesdays and Fridays at 10 am. Meet in front of the Tourist Office.

Information on +33 3 86 49 02 82.

Atelier Bonnes Ondes
Journée Famille
Atelier Sophrologie Ludique
Atelier Artistiques
Montréal en Lumière

Photos

Home
Home
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Porte d'en Bas
Porte d'en Bas
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Collegiate Church of Our Lady of Montréal
Collegiate Church of Our Lady of Montréal
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The Carcasson
The Carcasson
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