Chateauneuf-en-Auxois - Vezelay - Fontenay Abbey

Route: Dijon - Chateauneuf-en-Auxois - Vezelay - Fontenay Abbey - Dijon
Duration: 9 h
The first stop of our tour will be at old medieval town in Côte-d'Or, now listed among the most beautiful village of France, Châteauneuf nestles at the foot of its imposing fortress, which once belonged to the Dukes of Burgundy.  A superb example of Burgundian medieval military architecture, it majestically towers over the Auxois plain and the Burgundy canal. On a visit to this historic monument, you can discover the 12th-century keep, the 14th-century south tower, the main building and the 15th-century dwelling of Philippe Pot, as well as the chapel with ancient mural paintings. It's nice to take a walk in the flowery medieval side streets of Châteauneuf, where some beautiful old stone houses with turrets still stand and opens a stunning view of the Auxois and the Morvan hills.The next stop will be at village Vézelay located on the edge of the Avallonais ,  wich is a major site of Christendom and a charming hilltop village. The climb to the basilica is almost a rite of passage. Over the centuries many artists and writers have found inspiration here. Spiritual, literary or poetic – the essence of Romanesque art prevails...In the 12th century Bernard of Clairvaux preached the Second Crusade in Vézelay. The village harboured the relics of Mary-Magdalene and became a major spiritual centre on the Santiago de Compostella pilgrim way. The basilica of Saint-Marie-Madeleine is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The last stop in our tour will be at Fontenay Abbey which was founded by saint Bernard in 1118, this magnificent Cistercian abbey is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The place is magnificently well preserved and is the oldest preserved Cistercian abbey in the world. Here you will see the Abbey Church, the Dormitory, Cloister, Chapter Room, the Common Room, the Forge and the  landscaped park which was listed as "Remarkable Garden" by the National Council of Parks and Gardens. 
After that we will return to Dijon.
Price: per person