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| Auxois - Pouilly en Auxois (Department 21 Côte d'Or) |
| The Auxois area has become the Burgundy area of choice for those that do not specifically need to be in the wine area. It nearness to Dijon, its magnificent and lively medieval towns around Semur-en-Auxois, the Burgundy Canal, its many castles, make this a great area to explore and live. |
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Drive down the hill into Semur-en-Auxois
on a fine day and more often than not you will see artists sketching the citadel. For this is a very picturesque town with attractive houses, antique ironmongery on the walls and doors and narrow streets. By day, the magnificent fortress looks onto the pretty valley of the river Armancon with its weeping willows and weirs. By night, the gigantic towers and ramparts are softly illuminated to create a spectacle all of their own. Go over the Pont Joly, past the Tour de l’Orle-d’Or with its seemingly vulnerable fractured side, and up the cobbled street into town. Wander through the Porte Guillier, a medieval gateway, and enjoy the street cafes and shops along the pedestrian street. The town is built on a pink granite spur and the rampart walk, while hilly to say the least, is charming. With all its shops and supermarkets, this is clearly the centre of the Auxois. |
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To the south is Pouilly en Auxois
what it lacks in medieval charm it gains with its excellent location on the Canal de Bourgogne and at the cross of the A6 and A38 motorways, getting you to the centre of Dijon in under 30 minutes. Pouilly en Auxois is extremely pretty, with a light, clean appearance and a lively centre. Many day tourists come here to take the boat tour along the canal and into the tunnel.
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For Golf and Chateau lovers alike,
the Château de Chailly-sur-Armancon is a must. A medieval fortress has been transformed into a pleasant Renaissance residence, the Château de Chailly-sur-Armançon, which is classified as a National Monument, has been restored becoming one of the most luxurious hotels in Burgundy. On 165 acres, the Golf de Chailly offers enthusiasts a superb 18 hole par 72 golf course (6 146 m).
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To the west of Semur is Saulieu
a fine dining Mecca for many, with its famous restaurants. Saulieu holds a weekly market, with many local producers offering their own grown products. It is also a departure point for the Morvan Regional Park further west. On your way to Saulieu, you should visit the breathtaking Epoisses Castle and taste the cheese in the village where it is made.
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To the North is Montbard
also on the edge of the Burgundy canal. The town doesn’t get much of a mention in the big guide books, but it is more attractive than you might expect, with a lovely old centre, and the pretty canal on the outskirts of town. The TGV stops here, on the track Paris - Dijon (as part of the TGV train is built in Montbard). Paris is less than 1h15 away. Just to the north is the Fontenay Abbey. This Cistercian abbey must be visited. It was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1981, and is thus on the 23 such sites in France such as the Mont Saint Michel and the Vézelay Basilica. The ranking didn't just take into account the conversation of the abbey, but also the unique valley in which is located.
Just to the south of Montbard is the historical town of Alésia; site of the battle of Alesia 52 BC between the Romans and the united Gauls. Here you find a hospice and a statue of Vercingétorix, perched some 350m above the town of Veneray les Laumes below. Close by is the source of the Seine, the river rises here in a bucolic setting before reaching Paris. Flavigny sur Ozerain is considered as one of the most beautiful villages in France. Originally a Benedictine abbey, it has gained most of its fame, by being the location of the film Chocolat.
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To the east of Semur is the pretty little village of Vitteaux
crossed by the river Brenne and surrounded by verdant valleys. There are the remains of some fortifications, some beautiful half-timbered houses and the medieval house of Bélime. Stroll through the lanes and along the river to appreciate this charming place.
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