Discover Vincelles: Yonne, heritage and cycling routes

Vincelles combines a strong connection to the river with historic buildings and cycling routes. The Yonne runs through the commune, and several cycling routes pass through or lead to Vincelles. For planning your trip, the highlights can be easily distinguished: Saint-Roch, the washhouse and the Château de Vincelles represent different chapters in the town’s history, while the cycling routes offer different route options. This lets you shape your stay around architectural history, cycling or a combination of the two. The railway station and boating stop add practical points for arriving and finding your way around.

The Yonne, arrival and getting around

The Yonne is the main river that runs through Vincelles. Vincelles railway station is on the Paris Bercy–Auxerre–Corbigny railway line. If you are planning to arrive by train, check the timetable for your travel date.

At the boating stop, Vincelles offers walkers and cyclists a drinking-water fountain, toilets, an electric-bike charging station and a bicycle repair kit. If you need a particular facility, check before your visit whether it is available.

Church, washhouse and château

The Church of Saint-Roch was begun in the late 13th century and completed in the early 14th century. Its wooden ceiling is shaped like an inverted boat—a striking architectural detail. On 11 January 1941, the church was added to the Supplementary Inventory of Historic Monuments. Its construction period, ceiling design and heritage listing offer different ways to explore the building: its origins, its design and its historical status.

The washhouse in Vincelles was built in 1867 and restored from 1984 to 1989, and again in 2014. A walk along the water on Rue de l’Yonne leads to the building. This links a practical route with the history of the washhouse.

The Château de Vincelles also adds its own historical context to the town: Edmé Germain Villetard built it in 1775, and it housed Madame de Staël in 1806. The construction date and the later stay are two distinct historical points of reference—the first relates to the château’s construction, the second to its connection with a well-known person.

Cycling around Vincelles

For cycle tourists, two routes with different destinations can be distinguished. The 18-kilometre cycling stage from Auxerre to Vincelles follows the Canal du Nivernais and brings together nature, wine, gastronomy, heritage and encounters. This thematic mix may appeal to travellers who want to include cultural and culinary interests in their cycling plans as well as the ride itself.

The cycling tour from Auxerre to Clamecy also passes through Vincelles. Thus, Vincelles is the destination of the 18-kilometre stage, but a point along the route on the tour to Clamecy. A cycle route runs through the town and forms part of the Tour de Bourgogne à vélo route. Check local conditions before setting out on a specific ride.

When looking for a hotel in Vincelles, first consider the role the town plays in your trip: would you like to focus on architectural history and the walk to the washhouse, or does your cycling tour end in Vincelles or pass through it? You can weigh the town’s features and the different route details according to your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Rouvray, La Ferté-Loupière, Treigny, Courson-Les-Carrières, Villebougis, Quenne, Piffonds, Turny

For the wider travel overview: Yonne.