Local towns

First a Gaulish centre and then an outpost of Rome, Beaune was the residence of the dukes of Burgundy up to the 14th century, before they moved permanently to Dijon. The original charter of communal liberties granted by Duke Eudes in 1203 is the in the town’s archives. The fortifications and towers that exist today were built from the 15th century onwards. After the death of the last Duke of Burgundy, Charles the Bold, in 1477, the town stubbornly refused all efforts to annex it by Louis XI and surrendered only after a siege lasting five weeks. Content source: Michelin’s Burgundy/Jura The Green Guide. There is a food market every Wednesday and Saturday morning.

In 1137, a terrible fire razed the city. Change came when the duchy became an integral part of the kingdom of France. The local population rose up against annexation by the Louis XI, and suffered at the hands of the King’s troops. But certain concessions were won: The Etat de Bourgogne (regional assembly made up of representatives from the Clergy, the Nobility and the Third Estate) was maintained in the old ducal palace, along with various other privileges and, most importantly, the Burgundy Parliament was transferred from Beaune to Dijon. The King visited Saint-Bénigne in 1479 and solemnly swore to preserve “the freedoms, liberties, protections, rights and privileges” previously enjoyed by the duchy. Nonetheless, he did build a fortress, repair the fortifications and appoint a governor.

In the middle of the 9th century he established a group of monks where Saint-Père stands today. After the destruction of the monastery during the Viking invasions, a new monastery was established on a nearby hill, a natural position more easily defended. Pope John VIII consecrated the foundation of the abbey of Vézelay in 878.

The abbey was at the height of its glory when Saint Bernard preached the Second Crusade at Vézelay on 31 March 1146. For a century the church had sheltered the relics of Mary Magdalene, the beloved and pardoned sinner. Vézelay was then one of the greatest places of pilgrimage and the start of one of four routes that led pilgrims and merchants across France into Spain and Santiago de Compostela. It was form the side of this hill of inspiration that Saint-Bernard launched his vibrant call for the Crusade, in the presence of King Louis VII of France and his family as well as a crowd of powerful barons. Such was the authority of the Abbot of Clairvaux that he was considered as the real leader of Christianity. His call was received with great enthusiasm by all present who undertook the leave for the Holy Land without delay. Content source: Michelin’s Burgundy/Jura The Green Guide.

Its narrow streets, flanked by old mansions, its fortified gateways and the remains of its ramparts recall its past grandeur. Aniseed Candy from the Abbaye de Flavigny – this famous local confection, a tiny seed coated in snow-white sugar, has been made in the old abbey since the 9th century. Content source: Michelin’s Burgundy/Jura The Green Guide. There is a food market every Sunday mornings.

Between June and September, the “Rencontres musicales du Noyers” delight music lovers. Stroll through the town, admiring the 14th and 15th century timber-framed houses in place de l’Hôtel-de-Ville, the arcaded stone house and Renaissance mansion in place du Marché-au-Blé, the Renaissance façade and square tower of the Eglise Notre-Dame, and follow rue du Poids-du-Roy to the tiny place de la Petit-Etape-aux-Vins. From place du Grenier-à-sel, a passageway leads to the river bank; here, a promenade planted with plane trees offers a pleasant walk and the opportunity to see the seven defensive towers still standing (out of a total of 23), which used to protected the town. Content source: Michelin’s Burgundy/Jura The Green Guide. There is a food market every Wednesday mornings.

The annual wine fair and the village fairs held in honour of Saint Vincent, patron on wine-growers, in November and late January recall the town’s lively commercial past. Content source: Michelin’s Burgundy/Jura The Green Guide. There is a food market every Sunday mornings.

A powerful stronghold – Avallon was during the Middle Ages one of the key cities of Burgundy: anyone wanting to conquer the duchy had to take Avallon. In 1432, Jacques d’Espailly, known as Forte-Epice, and his band of adventurers from the nearby Nivernais region seized several castles of lower Burgundy. Protected by their fortifications, the people of Avallon did not feel threatened; however, Forte-Epice took the guard by surprise, climbed the walls and seized the town. Called to the rescue, the Duke of Burgundy hurried back, made a breach in the city walls with a bombard and launched an attack, but his troops were forced to withdraw.

Infuriated by this delay, he immediately called on knights and cross-bowmen whereupon Forte-Epice disappeared through one of the posterns opening onto the riverside, abandoning his men there and then. Content source: Michelin’s Burgundy/Jura The Green Guide. There is a food market every Saturday mornings.

Above the houses and cascade of gardens rise the great red-slated towers of the castle keep (Semur became the strong point of the duchy in the 14th century when the citadel was reinforced by ramparts and 18 towers) and the slender spire of the church of Notre-Dame. The church of Notre-Dame was founded in the 11th century, rebuilt in the 13th and 14th century, altered in the 15th and 16th century, extended by the addition of chapels to the north aisle and restored by Viollet-le-Duc (1814-79). Content source: Michelin’s Burgundy/Jura The Green Guide. There is a small food market every Sunday mornings.