Cozy nest in the Green dovecot

Come and relax on the grounds of the old castle of Champlay, in the Yonne. Less than 2 hours from Paris, between Sens and Auxerre, the Colombier Vert is a haven of peace in a small village in Burgundy. Former farm of a castle now disappeared, the estate belongs to Régis and Véronique. Lovers of heritage and gardens, they are committed to the restoration of buildings while respecting their history, ecology and the environment. The space At the corner of the stove in winter...in the shade of the garden in summer. The old bakehouse has become a nice cottage, comfortable and cozy, whose windows open onto the dovecote of the 17th century. Ideal for a quiet stay as a couple or for a teleworking session, it has a spacious living room on the ground floor, with a wood stove: you will enjoy snuggling up in one of the two very comfortable armchairs, arranged in front of the stove, with a good book! Upstairs, a bedroom with a double bed welcomes you for sweet and quiet nights. A separate space with a single sofa-bed allows you to receive a child or a friend. The natural and contemporary decoration brings a relaxing touch to the place. The lawn in front of the cottage allows you to enjoy the view of the dovecote and the barns with beautiful architecture. A few meters away, a contemporary garden, created and cultivated with respect for biodiversity, invites you to walk through the vegetable garden, natural meadows and medicinal plants. New: a room has just been created opposite, in the main house; see the listing for “La suite du Colombier vert”. You can book it at the same time as the gîte, so you can enjoy the property with your loved ones whilst retaining your independence. Guest access You can access in front of the property to unload your luggage. Free public parking is available 50 metres from the property. If you arrive in Joigny by train from Paris-Bercy, there are taxi companies at the station. However, it's safest to book one in advance: Taxi A&H, for example (search on Google). You can cycle here from Joigny station (25 mins) along the back roads; there are also bike hire companies that can provide bikes during your stay (search on Google). Other things to note As lovers of heritage and gardens, Véronique and Régis are committed to restoring buildings in a way that respects their history, ecology and the environment. The old bakery has been renovated with respect for the environment: use of authentic and ecological materials - reclaimed floor tiles, bamboo floor, homemade ochre paints, earth plasters, natural lime, ecological paints, hemp insulation ... - low consumption lighting - ecological waste management. Practical information: - A bakery 200 metres away, open until 1 pm - A 10-minute drive from the cottage, you’ll find all the shops you need in Joigny - A lovely market featuring local produce takes place on Saturday mornings - The nearest supermarkets are in Joigny (Intermarché), which offers a drive-through service 🚲 Things to do nearby • Walking trails accessible on foot from the gîte, water sports on the banks of the Yonne, and a 30km cycle path between Joigny and Sens along the Yonne. • Hikes and cycle rides in the surrounding area: search on Komoot cycle-routes-and-cycle-paths-around-Joigny and hikes-around-Joigny Cycle routes: • The V55 cycle route towards Sens or Migennes: a continuous, well-maintained greenway (light-coloured tarmac) ideal for cycling safely alongside the river. A loop from Joigny back to the campsite with a stop at the lock keeper’s house. The next rest area • Laroche-St-Cydroine: an easy, flat route of around 23 km along the River Yonne. • Loop to the Pays Jovinien: a mix of surfaces linking towpaths and the surrounding vineyard-covered hillsides. Local points of interest: • In Joigny: a medieval town, designated a ‘Ville d’art et d’histoire’ (Town of Art and History), it boasts three churches, beautiful panoramic views (the Côte Saint-Jacques viewpoint), art galleries and designer shops, half-timbered houses in the historic centre, winegrowers (Pinot Gris), walks through the vineyards, a covered market with its Baltard-style halls, a gourmet restaurant and a spa. • Nearby: Roncemay Golf Club with its bistro and gourmet restaurant; the Fabuloserie in Dicy, a museum as strange as it is delightful; Auxerre and its Saint-Étienne Cathedral overlooking the River Yonne, with its quays bustling in the evening; Sens, home to France’s oldest Gothic cathedral and an episcopal city with a rich history; Pontigny Abbey, a 12th-century Cistercian gem; the Bailly cellars for tasting crémant; Chablis and its grands crus, for a tasting in the cave cellars or a stroll through the listed vineyards; Saint-Bris-le-Vineux and its 11th-century cellars; Vézelay with its UNESCO-listed basilica and its view over the Morvan; the construction of Guédelon Castle, and the Château de Saint-Fargeau --> We can send you a PDF guide to local activities if you ask for one via message