We spent the night docked on the Yonne in Auxerre and enjoyed another lovely dusk.
We had 11 locks to navigate and, unfortunately, spent quite a bit of time waiting for the lock masters. We had a couple of companion boats that were travelling along with us – one a group of eight Frenchmen from Toulouse who were having a very joyful time and enjoying their beer and whiskey (in Auxerre they took out their pétanque set to play the typical French bowling game on the river’s edge).
In Escolives-Sainte-Camille we stopped for a short walk on the tow path and discovered this hidden gem of a museum with “a forest” of sculptures by Pierre Merlier.
We spent the night tied up on the canal in Accolay – a sleepy little village. It had taken a long time to cover the distance and get through all the locks so when we discovered the restaurant Hostellerie de la Fontaine was open we hightailed it over there. What a delicious and very pleasant surprise.
Mailly de Ville was a lunch stop and opportunity to walk around the village.
After a most gorgeous day (again!) passing through beautiful countryside, we stopped in Chantel-Censoir for the night. The 13th century church of Saint Potentien perches atop the hill within the old walled part of the town.
I am enchanted by Pierre Merlier !!! thank you for sharing those sculptures !