Ouanne existed in Gallo-Roman times under the name of Odouna or Oduna. A Roman way carried out in Auxerre.[clarification needed] The ancient station of Ouanne is known from a marble fragment from the 3rd century, preserved at the museum of Autun. The marble indicates the distances on the Roman road from Auxerre to Entrains-sur-Nohain. The armies of Pippin the Younger passed along this road.
In 1790, Ouanne became the chief town of its canton, but the number of cantons was subsequently reduced and the village became attached to Courson-les-Carrières. In December 1972, Ouanne was merged with Merry-Sec and Chastenay. In January 1980, Merry-Sec became a separate commune again.[4]
Geography
The river Ouanne, a 84 km (52 mi) long right tributary of the Loing, has its source in the commune.
