Activities at Chateau d'Island or nearby

• Horseback

• Seminar and Events rooms

Cultural tourism

The Avallonnais is a former region of populating. In Arcy's caves on Cure, it is possible to see drawings dating 30000 years.

In the times of the Gauls, Avallon was an important centre populated by Mandubiens, a small Gallic tribe, which should compose with its 2 powerful neighbours, Eduéens ( Bibracte) and Lingons (Langres's plateau).

Local historians, by learning on numerous descriptions written by Julius Caesar in "The war of Long poles" show that Alésia's oppidum could be situated on Montfault next to Guillon. It is possible to find there an impressive wall.

After the battle of Alésia, the Roman settled down there: very numerous vestiges gallo Roman subsitent.

The religious movements, the dukes of Burgundy left of magnificent monuments, novels and moyenageux: The basilica of Cistercian Vézelay, the abbey of Fontenay and citeaux, the cities strengthened by Avallon, by Semur in Auxoix to quote only the most important.

Romanic Burgundy allows also the discovery of small villages, castles, churches, chapels which are so much of témoignagnes of a strong cultural and intellectual life which developed throughout a long history.

The Avallonnais is also the country of Vauban, a big clerk of the state, who is worth the paint to be better known.

Vineyards

Chablis, Irancy, Holy Breaking, Coulanges, Chitry, Vézelay, Epineuil, so many names which open by the North vineuse Burgundy, so many synonymic names of palace in holiday and simple happiness.

In produce you of the friendship, the whites, red, grey, or sparkling, are always faithful.

Green tourism

The regional natural reserve of Morvan and the valleys of the Yonne offer a natural space of hedged farmland, hills and mountains where the forest of broad-leaved trees is omnipresent.

The artificial lakes regulating the classes(courses) of the Yonne and the Cure, the ponds fitted out for the floating, the tempestuous brooks in the picturesque waterfalls, the valleys of the Yonne, the Cure and the Pillow offer the pleasures of still waters and lively waters.

Granitic exception in the heart of Burgundy limestone, the former (ancient) massif of Morvan lends its harmonious and wild frame to a flora and to a fauna varied.

A whole region to be discovered, on foot, on horseback or to cycle.