Introduction

Situated in the north-east corner of Burgundy, Yonne is a scenic department that attracts wine-lovers from all over the world. A stone's throw from Paris, the department is scattered with ancient villages, interesting museums and fertile vineyards and is rich in good wine, culture, and beautiful countryside.

History

Today the Yonne is one of the the 84 departments produced by the French Revolution but until the late 18th century, Yonne constituted part of the Burgundy Dukedom, an independent entity run by a long line of powerful dukes. Rich in grapes as well as heritage, the department is best known for its vineyards that were introduced to the region by the Roman occupation. Monks perfected the techniques necessary for wine production and today the vineyards of the Yonne produce a variety of wines that are known all over the world.

Main Towns

• Auxerre
• Joigny
• La Puissaye
• Avallon
• Vezeley
• Tanlay

Weather

The weather in Yonne is typical of France's wine regions with plenty of rain, hot summers and crisp winter months.

Tourist Attractions

The capital of the department is Auxerre which, with its own port, is an ideal base for exploring Yonne by pleasure boat. The town is marked by two cathedrals set on the river-bank in which visitors can marvel at the 11th century frescoes and stained-glass windows that have survived centuries of conflict and revolutionary sabotage.

Situated on the bank of the River Yonne is the town of Joigny that is widely regarded as the gateway to Burgundy. The hillside town overlooks spectacular views of the department and its magnificent architectural achievements make it a popular tourist town.

Avallon is small historic town set on top of a hill, not far from the beautiful Morvan Regional Park. The town is host to the beautiful 11th century Church of Lazarus and 15th century ramparts still stand around the edge of the town. Similarly the fortress town of Vezelay is another site of historic interest and is thought to be one of the most picturesque towns in the department.

Museums and Galleries

There is plenty of culture in Yonne, most notably the numerous châteaux that are dotted across the department. The 17th century château in La Puissaye is a fascinating place that pays tribute to the great French novelist Colette and the château at Tanlay is a magnificent example of French Renaissance architecture.

The Museum of Archaeology is housed in the beautiful 12th century belfry on the river bank of the town of Auxerre and the Avallon Regional Museum is another excellent museum in the ancient town of Avallon, housing a varied collection of art objects and roman antiquities.

Food and Drink

Although the Yonne department is situated within the wine-producing region of Burgundy it is only in the south that vineyards are in abundance. Instead cider is the drink more favoured by the locals and visitors can sample the local apple produce in any of the numerous good quality restaurants found across Yonne. Like everywhere in France, Yonne also has its fair share of gastronomic delights; Burgundy snails, truffles and farmhouse cheeses can be found in any of the department's traditional French restaurants.

Wine Tasting

Although cider is the main drink produced in Yonne, there are plenty of vineyards in the department and many an opportunity for wine tasting in its more southern towns. The most famous wine-town in the department is the sleepy village of Chablis which has a vast network of cellars that are all open for tasting during the week except on Mondays. The largest cellar is La Chablisienne which is owned by about 300 different small wine producers and offers free tasting for its visitors. In addition, the capital town of Auxerre, has its cellars open for tasting and visitors can sample the department's produce such as the fruity Sauvignon Blanc that is native to the vineyards surrounding the town.

Walking

There are plenty of excellent walking opportunities in Yonne along its numerous waterways or through its luscious vineyeards. The Morvan National Park is a huge expanse of natural park attracting keen hikers with its deep valleys, lakes, hills and fertile patchwork fields.

Golf

There are numerous golf courses across the department that make full use of the spectacular landscapes Yonne offers. The Golf course at Tanlay is an excellent 9 hole stretch housed in the grounds of Tanlay castle and the 18 hole Claris Golf Course of Claris is set in the magical Claris Forest.

Other Sports

There are plenty of opportunities to engage with the natural beauty of the Yonne, not least on the River Yonne which weaves its way through the department. There are several water parks along the river offering canoeing, kayaking and white water rafting, such as the Loisirs en Morvan situated in Avallon. The department is also ideal for cycling and there are numerous cycling routes marked out along the Yonne, the Cure and the Cousin rivers that allow visitors to experience the department in all its glory.

Ease of Access

Yonne is in close proximity to Paris and both the Charles de Gaul and d'Orly airports are served by a range of budget and premium airlines flying from Britain. Calais, Dunkirk and Dieppe are all conveniently situated ferry ports and the department is also easily accessed by the TGV train network.

Value for Money

Property in the Yonne department is good value for money particularly for a wine-producing area and like most places in France, away from the more touristy towns the cost of living is very reasonable. Around the vineyards there are strict rules regarding development but in general the property and cost of living in the department are both very affordable.

Summary

With its hill-top villages, patchwork fields and luscious vineyards, Yonne offers a perfect opportunity to get away from it all. Its expanse of countryside offers a peaceful way of life but there is also plenty to see and do with its historic towns, wine cellars and numerous sporting activities. Just an hour's drive from Paris the department is easily accessed from Britain and with good food, wine and cider there are plenty of reasons to visit Yonne.