Pouilly-En-Auxois: Harbor, Canal and Pilgrimage

Pouilly-en-Auxois offers several specific points of interest if you are interested in the Canal de Bourgogne and its cultural heritage. The Port de Pouilly-en-Auxois is currently used as a marina; at the same time, the illuminated Voûte de Pouilly and the history of pilgrimage offer different perspectives on the area. The distinctions below can help you decide what interests you most.

The Harbor and the History of Pilgrimage

The Port de Pouilly-en-Auxois dates from the second quarter of the 19th century and is dated to 1830. The two details place its origins both within a broader period and in a specific year. Today, the harbor is used as a marina.

The history of pilgrimage includes the Chapelle Notre-Dame-Trouvée and the statue of Notre-Dame Trouvée with the Christ Child. The chapel is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and serves as a pilgrimage chapel. It is believed to have a predecessor building that Abbé Courtépée dated to 1061. The statue dates from the late 12th or early 13th century. According to tradition, it was miraculously found in the ruins after a chapel fire and became associated with pilgrimages. The statue was stolen in 1980.

Canal Structures from Different Eras

The Voûte de Pouilly is a 3,333-meter-long illuminated underground canal section beneath Pouilly-en-Auxois. At more than three kilometers long, this section is a striking structure on the Canal de Bourgogne; its lighting is another distinctive feature. The Halle du Toueur offers a different focus: Shigeru Ban’s contemporary building houses an electric canal tug dating from 1893. Modern architecture and a historic watercraft stand together here. This makes it possible to explore the canal both through its infrastructure and through a specific vessel.

Boat Trip, Walk and Cycling Route

The Billebaude 3.333 offers a two-hour trip along the Canal de Bourgogne through the illuminated Voûte de Pouilly. Before planning, check whether the trip is available during your travel dates. Another way to experience the canal is the creative trail around the harbor: it combines a short walk, drawing and information about the canal along a 3.5-kilometer route, and is freely accessible year-round. The Véloroute du canal de Bourgogne also passes through Pouilly-en-Auxois.

The details provided for planning differ: the boat trip has a stated duration of two hours, while the creative trail is described by its distance. The Véloroute is another option for travelers who want to choose their destination based on a cycling route. You can focus on a trip through the illuminated canal section, a creative walk or the cycling route.

Discover more destinations: Boncourt-le-Bois, Tillenay, Molinot, Arnay-Le-Duc, Saint-Seine-Sur-Vingeanne, Laperrière-Sur-Saône, Minot, Daix

For the broader travel overview: Cote-Dor.