If you're a fan of fine French dining and good white wine, then the departement of Yonne could be the destination for you. Not only is the region home to the Chablis vineyard, but the French tradition of eating snails is said to have started in this part of Burgundy. The Yonne region isn't just about food and drink, though, as walking through the spectacular natural scenery and exploring interesting and historic towns and villages will help you build up an appetite.
The main town of Auxerre probably has the widest selection of restaurants in the Yonne region, but is also home to a pretty medieval old town, with half-timbered buildings, cobbled streets and an impressive clock tower in the main square. The large Gothic cathedral took 500 years to build, and the different architectural styles can be seen in the building – if you know where to look! Pick up an audio guide in the cathedral to find out more information. An even older religious building, the 9th century Benedictine Abbey, is decorated with the oldest wall murals in France.
The famous Chablis vineyard is just to the east of Auxerre, an area of only 15 kilometres by 20 kilometres that produces the only wine that is officially called “Chablis”. You can take a tour of the vineyard and the cave, including a taste of the produce.
In the south of the region is the Morvan Regional Nature Park, a large area of unspoilt countryside that stretches for quite a distance over Yonne and its neighbouring departements. There are plenty of walking routes through the area, and there is even a 900 metre-high hill that can be climbed easily to enjoy the view over the whole park. If you want climbing that is a bit more challenging, the Saussois rocks near the town of Merry-sur-Yonne are a popular climbing site, with a nearby centre that can arrange equipment hire or even a session with an instructor.
Located on the western border of Yonne, Guedelon is one of the more unusual tourist attractions in the area. Locals and experts from further afield are working to build a medieval castle using only traditional materials and techniques. The project has been running for nearly 25 years and still looks like a building site, but it is still a fascinating afternoon out to see how they are getting on – and maybe even lend a hand.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Yonne? Then below is a selection of gites in Yonne and villas in Yonne that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
