Heritage, cycling, walks, markets and good food: all our ideas for planning your days around Buffon.
50 ideas to explore
Starting point: the centre of Buffon. Distances and journey times are approximate and exclude traffic, parking and visits.
From places just outside Buffon to full-day trips, plan your discoveries across Côte-d’Or and Yonne.
In Buffon, this 18th-century industrial complex tells the story of ironworking and the naturalist’s research. A visit adds to the story of your stay; La Grande Forge is a separate monument from La Petite Forge and its cottages.
Combine a stroll through the park with a visit to the museum devoted to Buffon, Daubenton and natural history. The Tour de l’Aubespin and Buffon’s study can be seen on guided tours offered in season.
A Renaissance château whose rooms tell the story of its residents from the 16th century to the Belle Époque. Visits are guided, to preserve the interiors and explore this family history.
Set in a valley, this Cistercian abbey invites you to explore its cloister, church, gardens and former forge. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, worth discovering as much for its architecture as for its tranquillity.
Behind the name Château de Moutiers lies the abbot’s palace of the former Saint-Jean-de-Réome Abbey. Its reception rooms, stucco decoration, gallery and staircase reveal another side of Burgundy’s religious heritage.
Visit this Italian Renaissance palace for its courtyard, galleries and painted interiors. Continue into the park and check the programme of family activities and exhibitions.
Narrow streets, ramparts, towers and a collegiate church: explore Semur at leisure, from the upper town to the banks of the Armançon. On Sunday mornings, combine your walk with the market in the historic centre.
Stop in the village that gave its name to one of Burgundy’s best-known cheeses. Make time to taste Époisses, then enjoy a walk through the village.
A day out to learn about Caesar and Vercingetorix, the fortifications and Gallo-Roman life. The museum, archaeological remains and statue of Vercingetorix offer something for everyone’s interests.
Half-timbered houses, small squares and ramparts beside the Serein: Noyers is a lovely place to slow down. Add galleries, craft workshops and the Museum of Naive and Popular Arts to your stroll.
Enter the distinctive world of the Comte de Bussy-Rabutin through the portraits and decoration of his home. The gardens complete this visit in the heart of the Auxois.
Pass through the village gate and follow the stone streets up to the collegiate church. An ideal place for a peaceful stop, with lovely views over the Serein countryside.
Explore the village, then step inside the factory of the famous Anis de Flavigny. A workshop visit introduces the craft of sugar coating; visits take place on weekdays at the factory’s scheduled times.
Plan a day around the village, vineyard scenery and a wine cellar tasting. The tourist office lists estates and activities; book ahead for visits that require an appointment.
Walk up through the village to the Basilica of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine, then enjoy the terrace and the views. Check visiting and service times before exploring this active place of worship.
An excursion to a hilltop village and a fortress overlooking the Auxois countryside. The castle offers visits and activities; leave time for the lanes and viewpoints too.
There is plenty beyond this selection. Avallon and Auxerre are well suited to a day of exploration, while the villages of the Auxois, including Marigny-le-Cahouët, offer closer, quieter detours.
Canal, lakes, pool, cinema and parks: ideas to vary your days and adapt your plans to the season.
Follow the canal past locks, villages and the landscapes of the Auxois. Choose a stretch to suit your pace and plan your route with the tourist office.
During their stay, La Petite Forge guests can enjoy the pool and gardens at Le Prieuré. The pool is at Le Prieuré; access is seasonal and depends on the weather. We will explain the practical arrangements during your stay.
For swimming or family time, Amphitrite has indoor pools, play areas, a water slide and a wellness area. An outdoor pool adds to the facilities in summer; opening hours vary between term time and school holidays.
Rue Michel Servet, 21500 Montbard
Near Semur-en-Auxois, the lake offers walks, picnic areas and seasonal water activities. Before swimming, check the current permissions and conditions: in 2026, the prefecture reports no lifeguard supervision and potentially dangerous slopes depending on the water level.
A day of animals, educational activities, play areas and rides for children. The water park, with pools and slides, is advertised as open from 1 July to 31 August; check the park’s calendar before visiting.
Set aside a day in the Morvan to explore the wooded shores of Lac des Settons. Walks, sailing and other water activities offer ways to enjoy the scenery, depending on the season and lake conditions.
A longer excursion to discover the Forêt d’Orient’s scenery, beaches and water activities. The Grands Lacs de Champagne tourist office provides seasonal information to help plan your day.
An evening film or a children’s screening is another way to enjoy your holiday. Le Phénix offers a varied programme, from mainstream releases to arthouse cinema.
33 rue d’Abrantès, 21500 Montbard
A nine-hole course in the château’s grounds for an active outing in green surroundings. Contact the golf club for tee times, access requirements or an introductory session.
Set off early to enjoy a day of rides in Dolancourt. Opening days vary throughout the year, with special events and activities in autumn: check your dates on the park’s website.
On site
With water so close, it is tempting to linger on the banks. Before packing your tackle, check rules, permits and seasons with the Fédération de pêche de Côte-d’Or, and ask us which access points are usable during your stay.
On site
The river, millrace and banks are part of La Petite Forge’s character. Ask us about activities on the water when you arrive: what is possible depends on the water level, current and conditions at the time.
Addresses recommended by your hosts at Le Prieuré, for dinner in the village, a meal in Saint-Rémy or a stop in Semur. Book directly with the restaurant.
Beside the canal in the village of Buffon, a place to round off the day with a meal. Enjoy its terrace in fine weather; check the menu and book with the restaurant.
6 rue des Forges, 21500 Buffon
One of your hosts’ recommended places in Saint-Rémy for lunch or dinner during your stay. Contact the team directly for the menu, opening days and reservations.
Takeaway pizzas for an easy meal at the cottage after a day of sightseeing. Check the days Pizza Bud is operating and order directly.
A place for cheese lovers: fondue, raclette and Savoy-inspired cooking. A pleasant way to end a day exploring Semur.
13 rue Buffon, 21140 Semur-en-Auxois
Market days checked on 24 October 2026. Exceptions and the end of seasonal markets are noted in the individual listings.
Wednesdays from 8 am to 1 pm, on Place de la Libération: local produce for your shopping during your stay.
On Wednesday mornings, the squares in the centre host Noyers market. Combine your shopping with a stroll through the village.
Two markets from 8 am to noon: Wednesdays on Place du Champ-de-Foire, then Saturdays in the covered market on Rue François-Mitterrand.
Day to be confirmed
The Wednesday market appears in our earlier suggestions for outings. Please confirm with the tourist office that it is still running and check its current season before travelling.
Wednesdays from 5 pm to 8 pm, on Place du Prieuré: producers and flavours to discover towards the end of the day. The 2026 poster announces a start on 13 May; confirm that the market is still running towards the end of the season.
The small Thursday morning market takes place on the town hall square. On Saturday mornings, the main market fills the centre, Place Vauban, Rue Mathé and the market halls.
Fridays from 8 am to noon, the market halls and surrounding area bring together food sellers and local produce. A handy stop for planning meals at the cottage.
On Friday mornings, Vermenton market can be part of an outing in the Yonne. Meet the producers and plan your visit with the tourist office.
Sundays from 8 am to 1 pm, the market stretches from the pedestrian area to Place Notre-Dame, with producers, craftspeople and town-centre shops.
On Sunday mornings, enjoy Chablis market before a stroll through the village or a cellar visit booked in advance.
A small market takes place on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month in the former school courtyard in Aisy-sur-Armançon. Check the time with the organisers before your visit.
Dates to be confirmed
An autumn gathering celebrating Burgundy truffles. The 2026 dates still need to be confirmed with the organising association or tourist office before you plan your visit.
Bread for breakfast, ingredients to cook at the cottage and souvenirs to take home: our local addresses around Buffon.
For bread and pastries close to Buffon. The bakery is listed by the town council; call before setting off to confirm opening hours, particularly on Mondays and public holidays.
6 bis rue de Dijon, 21500 Saint-Rémy
Montbard offers further options for bread, cakes and lunch. Le Fournil de l’Aubes’pain is at 19 Rue de Dijon; if shopping on a Monday, confirm which bakery is open before travelling.
19 rue de Dijon, 21500 Montbard
Les Ruchers de l’Armançon produce a range of honeys and hive products in Quincy-le-Vicomte. The tourist office listing advertises an on-site honey collection box, with orders by text message 24 hours ahead, and stalls at Montbard’s Friday market and Semur’s Sunday market.
6 rue du Moulin, 21500 Quincy-le-Vicomte
Marie-Claude’s shop at 13 Rue Edmé-Piot featured in our recommendations for teas, herbal infusions, coffees and treats. Before making it a stop, ask us to confirm that the shop is currently open.
13 rue Edmé-Piot, 21500 Montbard
For those who enjoy browsing for vintage finds, our former address book recommended Florence’s shop at 3 Route de Montigny in Villeneuve-sous-Charigny. It is still listed; please confirm visiting arrangements before travelling.
3 route de Montigny, 21140 Villeneuve-sous-Charigny
Choose your dates and find our two cottages.
