Yonne, France
Yonne holiday rental homes - Cottages Yonne
Yonne is a French department named after the Yonne River. It is part of the Burgundy region in eastern France and its prefecture (capital) is Auxerre. The landscape of the Yonne is one of hedgerows and small fields, of centuries old vineyards and forests. There are numerous rivers and small lakes to enhance the Yonne landscape and they provide numerous opportunities for water activities when staying in your self catering Yonne holiday rental home.
Auxerre, an official “Town of Art and History” is a hive of activity with industries including food production and woodworking. Auxerre is also world-famous for the wine produced in the neighbourhood, including the renowned Chablis. Be sure during your holiday rental in the Yonne to visit the Cathedral of St. Étienne (11th-16th centuries). In Gothic style, the stained glass windows in the choir and the apsidal chapel are among the finest in France. Then there is the Abbey of Saint-Germain, existing from the ninth century. The crypt has some of the most ancient mural paintings in France.
Avallon is located southeast of Auxerre. The town provides a pleasant excursion during your holiday in the Yonne with wide streets and picturesque promenades, and is finely situated on a flat promontory. Its chief building is the formerly collegiate church of St Lazare, which dates from the twelfth century. The Tour de L'Horloge, pierced by a gateway through which passes the Grande Rue, is an eleventh century structure containing a museum on its second floor. The manufacture of biscuit and gingerbread – is yet another reason to visit Avallon when you rent a holiday cottage or house in Yonne, France!
Heading east from Auxerre, are the castles at Ancy-le-Franc and Tanlay. The pretty village at Noyers is another highlight of this part of Yonne. To the north of the department is Sens, with Joigny a little way south of Sens. Pontigny Abbey is in the centre of Yonne, to the north-east of Auxerre. Wine enthusiasts will also want to visit the pretty town of Chablis, to the south of Pontigny.
Travelling to your holiday rental cottage or house in Yonne, France
By Air: The nearest airport is Paris Orly – which is well served by charter, scheduled and low cost airlines throughout the UK. By Train: Avallon is served by a branch of the Paris-Lyon railway. Auxerre is reached from Paris Bercy train station. There are direct trains daily at regular intervals and journey time takes just under 2 hours. By Road: The auto-routes A77, A5 and A6 are convenient for reaching Yonne. Journey time from Paris is just under 2 hours.