Quay of the Yonne River

Welcome to the quays along the Yonne River, which gave its name to this part of Burgundy. The Yonne springs from the Morvan, at Mont Préneley, and flows into the Seine near Montereau-Fault-Yonne. But according to hydrography, the study of how rivers flow into larger bodies of water, that’s not quite right.

It’s technically the Yonne that flows through Paris, not the Seine… Let me explain: while the two rivers meet at Montereau-Fault-Yonne, the Yonne has a stronger current. The Seine has an average flow of 80 cubic meters per second at this point, whereas the Yonne flows at 93 cubic meters per second and has a wider basin. So, the Yonne could technically be considered the main river flowing through Paris before reaching the English Channel!

However, since the Seine was revered by the Druids and later the Romans, and was crucial for trade with the Saône, it became the capital’s main river. Unfortunately, the Yonne was overlooked in favour of the Seine… and this isn’t an isolated case. A similar story can be found with the Garonne and Tarn, the Rhine and Aar, or even the Mississippi and Ohio.

Here in Auxerre, we’re lucky to enjoy a peaceful riverside walk along the Yonne’s quays, just a short stroll from the city center!