Auxerre

Situated in Northern Burgundy on the serene River Yonne, Auxerre is a stunning city characterized by its many churches, winding riverbed, and a maze of cobbled lanes. Highlights of the town include an abbey founded by St Germain and a lovely clock tower dating back to the Middle Ages. Also explore the traditional Burgundian architecture, and many museums and delicious eateries.

Chablis

The small town of Chablis, situated in the northern Burgundy region, is a Chardonnay making wine area. Unlike other Chardonnay wines, Chablis rarely uses oak-aging, resulting in a very different taste profile. The town itself is worth discovering, it is a beautiful town with charming medieval houses, some with ornate door and window openings, and many other buildings of interest to discover. Among the highlights in Chablis are the churches of Saint-Pierre and Saint-Martin - you will notice the horseshoes left on the Saint-Martin church door by pilgrims in the olden-days. The Collegiale Church of Saint-Martin dates from the 13th century (except the belltower added in the 19th century) and is in the roman style. Also take note of the traditional wine press, a historic monument for the village.

Joigny

Located in between Auxerre and Sens in the Burgundy region, the charming town of Joigny beautifully displays its splendid half-timbered houses, built from the trees of the nearby Othe forest. The old town and the river bank retains its heritage and appeal. Stroll around the narrow alleys of the historic center, particularly along Place du Pilori, rue de la Galere and Rue Cortel, which is linked with beautiful artists’ and craftsman shops.

Nitry

Nitry is situated in the Yonne department with just under 400 inhabitants in town. There are several UNESCO world heritage sites nearby. The closest heritage site in France is Vézelay, Church and Hill in a distance of 15 miles South-West. Some highlights in the area include Avallon, Auxerre, Clamecy, Fontenailles and Montbard.

Prehy

Préhy is a traditional village in east-central France, in Burgundy. The common Préhy is part of the Community of Municipalities of Chablis. Explore the quaint chapel, the Chapel of Our Lady, located only in the vineyards. The fountain of Tau in the lower village is known to cure evil.

Sens

Sens is a beautiful city and gateway to Burgundy that is known for its glory years in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. It is a “four-leaf” running as a ville fleurie, or floral city and you’ll see why when you visit the Moulin a Tan (a stunning park with more than 35 acres of greenery), the beautiful manicured Jean-Cousin square, and the municipal greenhouses. Explore the fabulous Cathédrale St-Etienne, the earliest Gothic cathedral in France. And on summer nights come to the main square to watch the brilliant light show projected onto the cathedral. Also take time to admire the beautiful buildings surrounding the cathedral. In front of the chevet, the Orangery garden displays its colorful flower beds. Opposite the cathedral, Sens market hall hosts a covered market on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday morning.

The museums of Sens, based in the buildings of the former archbishop's palace and the synodal palace, are the city's second gem. This fabulous complex is notable for its stunning glazed tiles, restored by Viollet-le-Duc, and for the Francis I and Henry II wings, whose collections are exceptional testimonies to the past. On this site, there are interesting Gallo-Roman remains, as well as the Cathedral Treasury, which houses fantastic pieces such as ancient fabrics and liturgical garments, tapestries, enamels, ivories and gold and silverware. You can also see paintings from the 15th to 19th centuries and bronzes by Rodin, as well as ceramics by Mayodon and furniture made by the artist and metalworker Subes.

Enjoy strolling through the city center through the labyrinth of streets lined with half-timbered houses and mansions. On the Brennus trail, which is marked with arrows on the ground.

Tanlay

The village of Tanlay is to the north of the Burgundy region, home to Château de Tanlay. The chateau was built in the latter half of the 16th century on the site of an earlier castle that had fallen into ruins, and there is also a small village to explore. Built in the renaissance style with white limestone and slate roofs, the castle sits in a lovely setting surrounded by wide moats and sprawling parkland.

The interior of the chateau is elaborate and luxurious, with the salons on the ground floor and the long gallery upstairs. There are splendid wall paintings in the castle, especially the extensive trompe l'oeil paintings in the Grand Gallery and the frescoes in the Tour de la Ligue.

The castle is open to the public from mid-March until the end of October, every day except Tuesdays.

Vermenton

Vermenton is the perfect starting point for discovering the pastoral charm of the Canal du Nivernais. The Nivernais is known as one of France’s most beautiful canals, a reputation that is well earned. The town also offers excellent wines and restaurants with delicious regional cuisine. Vermenton not only offers the Nivernais, but also gives access to the River Yonne and the fabulous medieval city of Auxerre.

Vezelay

Situated in the Yonne department in Burgundy, Vézelay is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. The town of Vézelay (less than 500 inhabitants) is associated with the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. For centuries, pilgrims departed from this town or passed through it during their pilgrimage. These days, Vézelay is visited by hundreds of pilgrims, and that number is increasing every year. Nevertheless, these pilgrims represent only a fraction of the total number of people visiting the city. Their visit is highlighted with the dominant Basilica Sainte-Marie-Madeleine de Vézelay, located on the highest point of the city. It is a distinctive landmark and has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1979. Also worth mentioning is the Musee Zervos, offering a fantastic collection of paintings and sculptures of many famous artists, as well as the Musée de l’Oeuvre Viollet-le-Duc (former Lapidary Museum) that exhibits original sculptures from the basilica.