Paroy-Sur-Tholon in Montholon

Montholon, landscape and village

Paroy-sur-Tholon is shaped by the Montholon hill, the Yonne Valley and an extensive agricultural landscape. Wooded areas form part of this landscape; vineyards, orchards, grassland and scrubland also belong to the natural environment of the Bois de Montholon. This means there is more than one focal point to consider when choosing where to stay: you can base your choice on the landscape, the hiking route or the architecture of the Église Saint-Pierre. The location details also make it possible to include Joigny as a separate point of reference.

A natural area with diverse habitats

The Bois de Montholon is a type 1 ZNIEFF natural area that includes Paroy-sur-Tholon. Within the area, forests, grassland and scrubland alternate with vineyards, orchards and fallow land. This mix provides animals and plants with places of refuge. For nature enthusiasts, the key feature is the diversity: the areas mentioned range from wooded areas and scrubland to grassland, vineyards, orchards and fallow land. The area can therefore be understood as a mosaic of different habitats, rather than reduced to a single landscape type.

Hiking route with views of two valleys

The “Sur les pentes du Montholon” route runs through the commune of Paroy-sur-Tholon. It passes through wooded sections and along slopes that offer views over the Tholon and Yonne valleys. The natural area and the route provide different points of reference: the Bois de Montholon describes the diversity of habitats, while the hiking route focuses on its course, the slopes and valley views. The route description, updated in October 2018, places the starting point at a water tower just beyond Paroy-sur-Tholon in the direction of Aillant-sur-Tholon and mentions a parking area there. Check trail conditions before setting out.

The Église Saint-Pierre and its architectural form

The Église Saint-Pierre stands on a hill just outside the village. It has a rectangular floor plan, a low nave and a taller choir. These two features give the church a clearly describable architectural form: alongside its rectangular floor plan, the contrast in height between the nave and choir is particularly striking. In this way, the church adds a built-environment perspective to the landscape themes of Paroy-sur-Tholon, distinct from the natural area and hiking route.

Planning your hotel search

Paroy-sur-Tholon is three kilometres from Joigny; the railway station there and the shops in Joigny are also three kilometres away. This provides a concrete spatial reference alongside the natural and architectural features of the village. If you are looking for a hotel in Paroy-Sur-Tholon, you can consider whether the hiking route, the habitats of the Bois de Montholon, the Église Saint-Pierre or the proximity to Joigny is most important for your stay. The route combines wooded sections with slopes and views; by contrast, the natural area draws attention to the different types of terrain and the places of refuge they provide for animals and plants. This makes it possible to distinguish the landscape and built-environment aspects of the village without combining them into a single experience.

Discover more destinations: Druyes-Les-Belles-Fontaines, Lixy, Chemilly-Sur-Serein, Cheny, Sacy, Courgenay, Vallery, Armeau

For the regional travel overview: Yonne.