Billy-Sur-Oisy: Château Musard and its waterscape

Billy-Sur-Oisy lies on the Oisy River, eight kilometres west of Clamecy. The Oisy is a small tributary of the Sauzay, which in turn flows into the Beuvron and, via the Beuvron, into the Yonne. This sequence places the village within a larger water system. Water is also a recurring theme in the village’s history: local waterways helped create soils suitable for basket willows, and the Circuit Château Musard walking route passes through a landscape where water is ever-present.

Château Musard and its history

Château Musard lies about 500 metres south of the village. It was probably built by the Romans to oversee a nearby Roman road. Around 1215, Hervé IV de Donzy, Count of Nevers, and his wife Mahaut de Courtenay enlarged the château to about 200 metres long and 50 metres wide. A 900-metre-long fortified wall and twelve towers surrounded the complex. These figures give a sense of its former scale; today, only ruins remain.

The 235-metre-high Château Musard hill rises above the Fontaine du Grez, an important spring. This relationship connects the historic site with a specific feature of the landscape.

Forest, water and basketry

The communal forest of Billy-Sur-Oisy covers 366 hectares. Local waterways helped create soils suited to growing basket willows. From 1652, Billy-Sur-Oisy was a centre of basketry for three centuries. The natural environment and the craft are concretely linked here: water influenced soil formation, while basketry shaped the village for a long time. For travellers interested in cultural heritage, this craft tradition adds another perspective to the stone-built traces of local history.

Walking route and washhouses

The Circuit Château Musard is a walk through the landscape: water is ever-present, and numerous washhouses can be seen. The route thus combines the natural environment with the built history of everyday life. If you plan to take the walk, check the latest route information in advance.

The washhouse on Place du Pilori is one of the three washhouses in Billy-Sur-Oisy considered to be in excellent condition. It is best to confirm its current condition before visiting.

Saint-Laurent Church

Saint-Laurent Church also offers specific historical details: its stained-glass windows date from 1588, and its altarpiece from the 18th century. On 21 July 1939, the altarpiece was designated a protected movable object under reference number PM58000059. The dates refer to different things: 1588 dates the stained-glass windows, while 1939 marks the altarpiece’s protected status.

Plan your stay around your interests

Consider which of these options best suits your stay, and check the details of the specific hotel offer when booking.

Discover more destinations: Maux, Dampierre-sous-Bouhy, Fourchambault, Beaulieu, Saincaize-Meaucé, Planchez, Thianges, Moraches

For the broader travel overview: Nièvre.