Chablis

Visit Chablis, Burgundy

Chablis is in the Yonne department of the northern Burgundy region, 15km south of Pontigny.

You will most likely visit Chablis to sample the wine, but the town itself also deserves an exploration - it is a pretty place with some attractive medieval houses, some with ornate door and window openings, and a few other buildings of interest to discover.

Exploring Chablis

Among the highlights are the churches of Saint-Pierre and Saint-Martin - see the horseshoes left on the door by pilgrims in the olden-days. The Collegiale Church of Saint-Martin dates from the 13th century (except the belltower added in the 19th century) and is in the roman style.

Another notable building is behind the Church of Saint-Martin. Called the 'obédiencerie' it is a substantial house dating from the 15th century and in the typical Burgundy style of the period. The synagogue on Rue des Juifs dates from the same period and is a classified historic monument.

You can also see the ancient lavoir (public linen washing area) and the entrance towers of the Porte Noel.

There is a pretty stretch along the Serein River, including an attractive fortified building called the "Tour Mirau d'aval" (because it was downstream - in French en aval - of the bridge) that originally defended the eastern side of Chablis on the side of the river.

Cross the bridge and turn left to walk a little way to reach the Parc de la Liberté, then cross the bridge in the parc to reach the other half of the parc (the promenade du Patis), from where you can turn left and head back into chablis village centre.

You will of course be in the perfect place to enjoy a glass or two of the renowned local wine after you have explored Chablis - wine has been produced in Chablis since the year 854 when monks first settled here, and is now recognised worldwide as one of the best light white wines. There are also ample opportunities to buy the wine in the town.

Attractions nearby

Note: be sure to walk (the tourist office can suggest several trails) or drive around the local area to see the vines themselves - the vineyards extend around a few adjacent hamlets as well as Chablis itself.

There are several pretty villages in the region - we recommend in particular that you visit Noyers about 20 kilometres to the south-east of Chablis.

See Burgundy and Yonne (the region and department for Chablis) for more travel ideas...

Tourist classifications for Chablis: Village in bloom (ville fleurie) 2*;

Photos of Chablis

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Suggested places to visit near Chablis, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Tanlay castle 22km; Ancy-le-Franc castle 28km; Montreal 35km; Joigny 35km; Avallon 37km; Vezelay 39km; Clamecy 45km; Montbard 46km; Fontenay Abbey 48km;

Chablis tourist information: sights and attractions nearby

Abbaye de Pontigny (Pontigny) - religious monument (12km) : Eglise de Saint Martial (Seignelay) - religious monument (18km) : Jardin du prieuré - remarkable garden (38km) : Basilique Sainte Madeleine (Vezelay) - religious monument (39km) : Jardin du moulin de Athie - remarkable garden (44km) : Abbaye de Fontenay (Montbard) - religious monument (46km) : Abbaye de Fontenay - remarkable garden (48km) :

See more places and a map at places near Chablis