Toucy

Toucy is a small town in the Yonne département of Burgundy, set within the Puisaye natural region and crossed by the River Ouanne. It is best known as the birthplace of the lexicographer Pierre Larousse, commemorated by a museum in the town. The historic centre retains traces of its medieval past, including old towers and remnants of fortifications, alongside timber-framed houses typical of the area. Toucy holds a lively weekly market, reflecting its role as a small hub town for the surrounding Puisaye villages. The wider region is noted for its stoneware and pottery tradition, as well as its patchwork countryside of hedgerows, ponds and woodland, ideal for walking and fishing. Toucy lies around twenty kilometres south-west of Auxerre, making it a convenient base for exploring the Chablis vineyards and other attractions in the Yonne. Its quiet, rural setting, combined with a modest but genuine local heritage, suits visitors seeking a relaxed stay centred on nature and Burgundian countryside life.