Medieval Towns - Joigny

Picture 1: Half timbered house seen through arch in Joigny. Many of the houses in the medieval French towns reminded me of medieval houses in southern Germany I saw years ago. Picture 2: Our descent back from the top of the hill to the river.
Picture 3: View of the cathedral through the other side of the arch
Picture 4: First view of the town is the Hotel de Ville.

Joigny is the first of 4 medieval towns we visited on the Yonne River. We spent our first night across the river in a marina and wandered the city that afternoon. It is built on a steep hillside with 2 churches and a cathedral on top of the hill. It was rebuilt in the 16th century after much of it was destroyed by fire.

It has a population of 12,000. It's narrow cobbled streets and a number of timber-framed 15th and 16th century buildings and churches and the gate of St. Jean, a remnant of the original fortified City Wall (AD 998) make it look very medieval. It will also wear your knees out as you climb to the top of the hill to visit the cathedral.