CASTLES and MUSEUMS



Our territories of Puisaye-Forterre, Auxerrois, Vézelien, Chablisien, Tonnerrois... are rich in architecture, parks, walks, canals, vineyards and charming, rural countryside! We invite you to take advantage of your stay with us to discover our favorites in the surrounding area



Woman in vintage style photo at Domaine de l'Ocrerie, a charming bed and breakfast in Pourrain, France

Colette



Colette in St-Sauveur-en-Puisaye! Discover the house where she was born, the objects, rooms and gardens that inspired her books! And just 2 steps away, the Musée Colette, where her many lives are revealed. Two unmissable visits!
Stone archway with wooden gate framing medieval château at Domaine de l'Ocrerie, Pourrain, France

Château de Ratilly



35mn from our oyster house: built in the 13th century on the foundations of an 11th-century fortress, Ratilly boasts medieval architecture. During the Wars of Religion, Ratilly sheltered the Huguenots and welcomed the Jansenists, who were hunted down in the early 18th century
Domaine de l'Ocrerie château reflected in water with manicured grounds in Pourrain, France

Château de St Fargeau



30 minutes from the house, the Italian Renaissance palace in Burgundy, with candlelight tours and historical shows!
Historic stone building under renovation with wooden scaffolding at Domaine de l'Ocrerie, Pourrain

Guedelon Castle



In the heart of a former quarry, workers are building a 13th-century fortified castle before your eyes, revealing the secrets of medieval builders.



Scenic river view with historic cathedral, boats, and stone bridge in Pourrain, France

Auxerre



Just 15 minutes away, visit this beautiful city of Art and History, with its old quarters, its river tourism, the Tour de l'Horloge, Place St Nicolas, St Etienne's Cathedral, St Germain Abbey and its monastic complex, its Carolingian crypts famous for their preserved mural paintings..
Historic stone tower at Domaine de l'Ocrerie in Pourrain, France with metal fence and visitors on grounds

The Maulnes Castle



An architectural masterpiece of the Renaissance, the Château de Maulnes is one of a kind. With its pentagonal shape and labyrinthine circulation, it embodies the genius and passions of a fascinating period in our history. Built in 1566.
Historic thermal pool at Domaine de l'Ocrerie in Pourrain, France, featuring turquoise water surrounded by stone architecture

La Fosse Dionne



But where is the source of the fosse Dionne? Located in Tonnerre, its turquoise water flows all year round, but its origin remains a mystery. To this day, there is no answer to this question
Medieval French village Pourrain with stone houses, red-tiled roofs, and historic churches under blue sky

Vézelay



Just 45 minutes away, perched on the eternal hill, the Basilica of St. Mary Magdalene is well worth a visit! Built between 1120 and 1150, it is a major example of Romanesque architecture. Private guided hikes in the footsteps of Compostelle are also available!



Historic stone abbey converted to Domaine de l'Ocrerie B&B in Pourrain, France

Pontigny Abbey



It's the largest Cistercian abbey in the world! A rich heritage of white stone, a preserved estate where you can stroll in peace, and a small village in the Yonne that's always worth a visit!
Rustic corridor at Domaine de l'Ocrerie in Pourrain with exposed stone walls and sandy floor

Aubigny Quarry



Just 20 minutes from the house, you'll find an underground quarry that was mined from Gallo-Roman times right up to the 19th century! It's an upside-down cathedral from which stone was extracted to build the Paris Opera House and City Hall
Large red sculptural installation with whimsical characters and architectural details at Domaine de l'Ocrerie in Pourrain

The Fabuloserie



A 'house-museum', indicating the anti-institutional character of the place created by architect Alain Bourbonnais from his collection of art brut. Dubuffet called it a "decentralized Anti-Beaubourg", a "powerful citadel of the marginal"
Charming courtyard at Domaine de l'Ocrerie in Pourrain with arched passage, potted plants, and historic stone buildings

Noyers-sur-Serein



This small village nestles in a meander of the Serein. You'll feel as if you're strolling through the heart of a film set. Continue your journey back in time at Montréal or Tanlay and Ancy-le-Franc, two Renaissance castles representative of North Burgundy's rich heritage.



Modern gallery space at Domaine de l'Ocrerie in Pourrain with art installations and geometric mobile sculpture

Zervos Museum, Vézelay



In the superb house where Romain Rolland died and where the writer's bedroom still stands, the museum houses the finest pieces from the collection bequeathed to the town of Vézelay by Christian Zervos (1889-1970), founder of the Cahiers d'art. He rubbed shoulders with the greatest artists: Picasso, Laurens, Calder, Miró, Matisse, and more.
Ancient stone head sculpture displayed at Domaine de l'Ocrerie in Pourrain, France

Museum of Art & History



In Villers-Saint-Benoit, discover this beautiful bourgeois residence, 18th-century earthenware, contemporary ceramics, temporary exhibitions, and lectures.
Vintage L. Koenigsberg fairground organ display with ornate wood frame and burgundy decorative details

Sound Museum



In St-Fargeau, there are public collections unique in Europe on this theme, including more than 1,000 mechanical musical instruments, phonographs, and radios. A museum to see and listen to. For younger visitors, the Museum offers an educational and fun tour using digital tablets.
Carved wooden head sculptures displayed in garden at Domaine de l'Ocrerie, Pourrain

Pierre Merlier Museum



A true master of wood, he creates robust creatures from oak beams that walk, run, anxious, imploring, hiding behind their sensitive hands. In the Ubu Roi series, a tribute to Alfred Jarry, the forms are rough, stripped down, the bellies prominent, the realism harsh and acidic.