Our favourite places between Avallon, the Auxois and the Morvan
This is the Burgundy I created Clos D'Avant to share: stone villages, two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, cheeses, wines and plenty of nature, about two and a half hours from Paris.
Not to be missed
Vézelay
Yonne
The 'eternal hill' and its Basilica of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, overlook the Cure valley. A starting point of one of the Camino de Santiago routes, Vézelay is also surrounded by vineyards.
Avallon
Yonne
A fortified town perched on a rocky spur, with ramparts, a clock tower and charming lanes. Just below, the Cousin valley offers lovely riverside walks.
Semur-en-Auxois
Côte-d'Or
A spectacular medieval town with huge round towers above the Armançon river. The view from the Pont Joly bridge is one of the finest in the region.
Fontenay Abbey, near Montbard
Côte-d'Or
Founded in the 12th century and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is one of the oldest Cistercian abbeys in France, nestled in a wooded valley.
Époisses
Côte-d'Or
A village with a moated château, and of course its famous washed-rind cheese, to taste on the spot.
Noyers
Yonne
Listed among the 'Most Beautiful Villages of France', Noyers has kept its half-timbered houses, arcaded squares and ramparts, in a bend of the Serein river.
Flavigny-sur-Ozerain
Côte-d'Or
Another 'Most Beautiful Village of France', perched on its hill, famous for its little aniseed sweets and medieval lanes.
The Morvan
Yonne, Côte-d'Or, Nièvre, Saône-et-Loire
The Morvan Regional Nature Park, with its forests, lakes and rivers: a paradise for hikers, anglers and lovers of peace and quiet.
These places and many more (producers, markets, walks) are in the welcome book of every house I manage.
Do you own a house in this part of Burgundy?
I can look after it and help your guests discover the region.
Contact me