What to see and do around Auxerre?

Burgundy and the Auxerre region are ideal for getting away from it all, enjoying magnificent landscapes, sampling a wide range of delicacies, discovering renowned vineyards and strolling along the Yonne on foot or on a cruise aboard a small boat or barge.

From heritage to gastronomy, the area around Auxerre has plenty to offer all year round.

What to do around Auxerre?

1 – Discover the vineyards around Auxerre

The Chablis vineyards are nationally and internationally renowned, with red, white and rosé wines that you’ll be delighted to taste on family estates, some of which have been specialising in wine for several centuries.

The Jean-François and Pierre-Louis Bersan estate

This Chablis estate has been run by the same family since the 15th century. You’ll have the chance to visit a cellar dating back to the 12th century while tasting the wine produced on site by winemakers who are passionate about their trade and who will tell you all about their ancestral know-how and their terroir. Wines and crémants are produced on this winegrowing estate.

The Laroche estate

A heritage rich in history and anecdotes nestled in the heart of the Chablis region, that’s what you’ll find when you visit Domaine Laroche, including the Obédiencerie, the former monastery of the monks of Saint-Martin. The monks were the first wine producers. The estate produces Burgundy wines, including Petit Chablis, Chablis, Chablis Premier Cru and Grand Cru. More than 1,000 years of history can be traced back to this wine estate.

2 – Go on wine walks

The area around Auxerre offers an undulating landscape surrounded by vineyards, ideal for walkers of all abilities. There are routes ranging from 8 to 33 km, with varying degrees of difficulty, but always to delight the eye: twelfth-century châteaux at Maligny and seventeenth-century châteaux at Poinchy, the picturesque village of Fontenay, the château at Chemilly-sur-Serein, the church of Saint-Nicolas at Fleys, the village of Gallic origin at Courgis, the miraculous spring at Fontaine Saint-Potention…

3 – Strolling around Chablis

The town of Chablis is well worth a visit: the collegiate church of Saint-Martin, the Obédiencerie and the Porte Noël are just some of the places worth seeing.

• Chablis boasts at least 5,000 hectares of vines, and its reputation is well established. You’ll have the chance to taste Chablis Grand Cru, Chablis Premier Cru, Chablis and Petit-Chablis.
• Gastronomy: Jambon au Chablis, Biscuit Duché, pilier de Chablis, gougères and gâteau Chablisien are just some of the specialities to be discovered in Chablis. If you’re an enthusiast, don’t hesitate to visit the Maison de l’Andouillette!

The Chablis wine festival

Held on the^4th weekend in October, the festival features the christening of the new vintage, wine tasting, brass bands, local gastronomy, vineyard walks and children’s activities.

The 3 glorieuses

• The^1st Glorieuse: on the 3rd Saturday in November, at the Château du Clos de Vougeot, the largest annual chapter of the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin takes place, followed by a grand dinner at the Château (costume and long dress required).
• The^2nd Glorieuse: on the following Sunday, the Hospices de Beaune auction takes place at the Hôtel-Dieu de Beaune. The programme includes street performances, gala dinners organised by the Burgundy brotherhoods, and prestigious tastings.
• The 2nd glorious event: on the Monday following, at the Paulée de Meursault, a traditional end-of-harvest meal with winegrowers, merchants and customers.

4 – Take a trip on a boat or barge

The banks of the Yonne are full of charm, so hop aboard a boat or barge for incredible panoramic views of Auxerre and the surrounding area, and exceptional views of the historic monuments.

The Canal du Nivernais is a great way to explore this region on a day cruise, or why not hire a barge by the week or board a hotel barge for moments of pure relaxation and discovery, lulled by the lapping of the water…

What places to visit around Auxerre?

1 – MuséoParc Alésia

Relive the battle between Caesar and Vercingetorix through ancient artefacts, multimedia terminals, reproductions of war machines, films, models, etc. Take a fun tour of the museum with educational workshops, historical demonstrations and audio guides. You can see the giant statue of Vercingétorix, commissioned by Napoleon III and standing 6.60 m high.

2 – The Bailly Lapierre cellars

These cellars are referred to as a jewel, because they are not only the cradle of Crémant de Bourgogne, but also a simply exceptional site: an underground stone quarry. These stones have been used to build some of France’s finest monuments, including Notre-Dame de Paris, the Pantheon and Chartres Cathedral.

3 – Château d’Ancy-le-Franc

An outstanding Renaissance château designed by Serlio, the architect of François^1st. Within its walls, you can admire a superb collection of murals (16th and 17th centuries), one of the largest in France, richly decorated rooms, formal gardens and flowerbeds that received an award in 2018.

4 – The Guédelon medieval construction site

Craftsmen: quarrymen, stonemasons, masons, lumberjacks, carpenters, blacksmiths, tile-makers, cartwrights, tailors, etc. work on this site to build a 13th-century fortified castle from scratch using the methods used at the time. They will show you and explain to you what their trade consists of and what their role is in this huge site.

5 – The Puisaye cyclorail

A cycle ride on an old railway line covering 10 to 30 km, from 2 hours to a full day, with the option of taking a picnic with you or stopping off near a restaurant.

6 – Domaine du Moulin Rouge – Trout fishing

At Saint-Martin-sur-Ouanne, spend a half-day or a full day in the cool of a lake, with or without a fishing licence, discovering trout fishing with your family or friends.

7 – Lac du Bourdon

A wide range of water sports and other activities are available on this lake: rowing, sailing, fishing, hiking, horse riding, pedalos, paddle, kayak polo, etc. Swimming on the supervised beach in summer.