Capture Charbuy Carte Cassini 1750 GallicaCapture Charbuy Carte Cassini 1750 Gallica
©Capture Charbuy Carte Cassini 1750 Gallica
Charbuy

Charbuy

Charbuy, west of Auxerre, combines rural charm with lush greenery. Criss-crossed by several footpaths, the commune invites you to discover its wooded landscapes and discreet heritage. Its church, wash-houses and shady paths offer a natural interlude, ideal for an escapade on foot or by bike.

Charbuy first appears in texts under the name of ‘Carbaugiacus’ in the 7th century, although it is most certainly much older. It was bequeathed to the Church in the 5th century by the Bishop Saint Germain of Auxerre, along with other vast properties which he owned in the region. It was henceforth a fiefdom of the Bishops of Auxerre. The Château de Beaurepaire was built here and later destroyed in the 14th century. The commune encompasses 17 hamlets spread over 64 kilometres of road, some of which, such as Riot, Brécy and Le Ponceau, have existed since medieval times.

Château du Rosaire was built in the 19th century on the foundations of former buildings. It houses the nursery school, library and music school.

In the commune stands the Pierre Saint-Martin, a stone that marks the crossroads of four municipalities: Appoigny, Branches, Charbuy and Perrigny.

Saint-Médard church

Saint-Médard church was rebuilt at the end of the 15th century in the flamboyant Gothic style, with imposing proportions (32 m long and 12 m under vault). This monumental character is perhaps explained by the fact that the Bishop of Auxerre was lord of the manor.

Legend has it that the church was built by the chatelaine of Beaurepaire as reparation for a terrible crime committed against the poor of the parish on Christmas Eve. The bust of this woman, crowned with roses, is said to adorn the top of the church’s main portal. In fact, this bas-relief evokes the tradition of the Rosière, established by Saint Médard to reward the virtue of young girls with a crown of roses.