Domaine de la Puisaye

The medieval, half-timbered town of Toucy (15 minutes’ drive) has many charms, including a well-known Saturday market where you can source regional wines, patisserie and cheese. There are plenty of other markets in the Puisaye region too, from Bléneau (30 minutes) on Tuesday to Courson-les-Carrières (40 minutes) on Thursday. There are loads of stately piles in these parts too, with the 17th-century Château de Saint-Fargeau (30 minutes) open for candlelit tours of its magnificent rooms. Time travel back to the 13th century with a poke around Guédelon Castle (35 minutes), a new defence fort being constructed in medieval style. Sitting on the Yonne river, historic Auxerre (40 minutes) has a massive cathedral and La Marine old town to mooch around, as well as lots of wine, music and flower festivals over summer, while Rogny-les-Sept-Écluses (35 minutes) edges the Briare Canal, with plenty of pretty waterside walks and an impressive, 17th-century lock flight.