From Roman to Romanesque

From Dijon, you will drive to the top of Mont Auxois to see the Remains of the Gallo-Roman town in Alesia, a place that's been inhabited for 2 millennia, starting in prehistoric times.
This town used to have one of the tallest strongholds in Western Europe. Well fortified, the town resisted battles between the Galls under Vercingetorix and the Romans of Julius Caesar.
You can visit the remains of Alesia's Gallo-Roman town every day from 10 am to 7 pm. The visit lasts about 45 minutes and you can book your ticket in advance here.

The second stop of the day is at the Romanesque Fontenay Abbey. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the '80s, and its fame increased after becoming one of the movie sets for Gérard Depardieu's Cyrano de Bergerac in 1990.
This Cistercian monastery built by Saint Bernard has a beautiful church with a cloister, a monk council room, a forge, and a dormitory.
You can visit the Fontenay Abbey every day between 10 am and 6 pm. Guided tours are also available and the visit lasts about an hour.
Trivia: In 2022, the monastery competed in the show Le monument préféré des Français.

After your visit to Fontenay Abbey, you will stop in Noyers, a historic town surrounded by the River Serein. Here, you will have lunch at the French restaurant Les Millesimes.
The restaurant is open for lunch Wednesday-Sunday between 12 and 3 pm, and for dinner only on Saturday between 7 an 9 pm.

Following a good lunch in a wonderful setting, you will drive to Vézelay and park your car, as it's only accessible on foot. Then, you're ready to explore and discover its buildings with Romanesque, Renaissance, and Gothic elements.
Vézelay is another UNESCO Site on your route. It has a rich theological and cultural heritage thanks to being a colline éternelle or eternal hill in its origins.

From the parking lot, you go uphill and enter the town through the Porte Neuve (New Gate), then continue in the direction of the Hôtel de Ville or Marie de Vézelay, with its impressive tower and clock.

From the building of the City Hall, you will continue to climb all the way to the Basilique Sainte-Marie Madeleine, on the top of the hill.
The building of this majestic construction began in the 9th century. However, it was damaged by various conflicts, and it was rebuilt in the mid-19th century under architect Eugene Viollet-le-Duc.
Inside this Romanesque cathedral, you will notice the beautiful stone spires and pillars decorated with biblical scenes.
The Vezelay Abbey is open for visitors daily from 7 am to 8 pm.

From the Abbey, you will continue your tour along the Rue du Chapitre and Rue de la Corderie. Stop to take in the views over the valley below and the nearby Cure river from the Vezelay Towers.

Check in at the Hôtel de la Poste et du Lion d'Or, then go have dinner at the hotel's restaurant, L'Eternel.
The restaurant is open for dinner Wednesday-Sunday from 7 to 9 pm and for lunch only on Saturday and Sunday, between 12 and 1.30 pm.
Book your table in advance: 0373530320