Discover Crain

Crain between the Yonne and local history

Crain can be explored through specific themes: the River Yonne, the Church of Saint-Etienne and outdoor activities. The Yonne flows through the town. There are also historical connections to an ancient Gallo-Roman settlement, Saint-Ursin and a château. This gives you several focal points to choose from when planning your trip: architecture and local history, as well as hiking, cycling or fishing. If you are considering a stay in Crain, you can match the town’s features with the activities that interest you.

The river and cycling route

The Yonne flows through Crain. Cycling tours are possible on the Véloroute, which runs alongside the Canal du Nivernais. This means there are two distinct connections to water: the Yonne as a river flowing through Crain, and the canal as the route’s point of reference. This distinction helps you clearly identify the town and cycling options when planning. If you are considering Crain because of the Yonne and also plan to cycle, the route information points to the Canal du Nivernais.

The Gothic Church of Saint-Etienne

The Church of Saint-Etienne dates from the 13th and 15th centuries; its choir dates from the 13th century. It is Gothic and has a crypt. On March 20, 2006, the church was listed in its entirety as a historic monument by decree. The date marks its monument status, not when it was built. The medieval dating of the church and choir can therefore be considered separately from its later listing as a historic monument.

Other historical connections

Crain is considered an ancient Gallo-Roman settlement. Saint-Ursin was born in Crain and is described as the church’s patron saint and as a bishop of Bourges and Paris. The Château de la Maison Blanche is one of the town’s historical remains. These points of reference are of different kinds: they include the settlement’s classification, information about a person’s birthplace and roles, and a historic building. Together with Saint-Etienne, they make the town’s history tangible through specific names and connections. If history is important to your travel decision, you can consider these aspects alongside the church.

Hiking, cycling and fishing

Crain offers hiking and fishing as outdoor activities. Cycling tours are possible on the Véloroute, which runs alongside the Canal du Nivernais. These are different ways to spend time outdoors: exploring on foot, choosing a cycling tour on the Véloroute, or fishing. When planning, you can decide which activity you would like to focus on. For cycling, the route alongside the canal is the specific point of reference; hiking and fishing are activities in Crain.

Accommodation in Crain

Crain has a municipal stopover lodge (gîte d’étape) with space for up to 31 people. A stopover lodge is distinct from a hotel and is a separate option when planning accommodation. If you are specifically looking for hotels, you can consider Crain as a destination for its river, historical connections and activities, and decide on your preferred type of accommodation separately.

Discover more destinations: Villeblevin, Marmeaux, Vaumort, Brosses, Aillant-Sur-Tholon, Saint-Agnan, Domecy-Sur-Cure, Sens

For the broader travel overview: Yonne.