Avallon

Visit Avallon, Burgundy

Avallon is in the Yonne department of Burgundy, to the north of the Morvan Natural Parc region and south-east of Auxerre. Avallon has been occupied since Roman times, and is an attractive town of cobbled streets, open gardens, and fine balconied townhouses.

Exploring Avallon

The main centre of Avallon which is of interest to visitors has a pedestrianised shopping centre and an interesting historical old town, large enough to include plenty of side streets in which you can discover unspoiled ancient buildings.

The 'centre' of the town, reached by the imposing 15th century gateway-clocktower, is the square that includes the 12th century Church of Saint-Lazare.

The church is known as being one of the finest examples of 'roman' style architecture in Burgundy, despite various catastrophes that affected the building in the 16th and 17th centuries: the original belltower was destroyed by lightning, a violent storm destroyed a further part, and the original tower was then destroyed by another storm. It is the facade with its ornately carved doorways that is the highlight of the church we see today.

Just left of the church is a very substantial and impressive turreted house dating from the 15th century, the 'maison des Sires de Domecy'. The tourist office is in another interesting ancient building close by.

You will also discover the remains of fortifications in Avallon, including several towers, with perhaps 50% of the town's original circle of fortifications still intact. Even in the centre of the town you suddenly find you are standing on top of the fortifications and looking out across the pretty wooded landscape that surrounds the town.

Further emphasising how close to the countryside you are in the town there are four attractive walkways-park areas to follow:

• the 'promenade de capucins' (a plane-tree lined walkway towards the north of the town);
• the 'Terraux Vauban' (a balustraded walkway in the centre of Avallon);
• a further walkway at 'la promenade de la petite porte', noteworthy for the views it provides over the surrounding Morvan and Burgundy countryside;
• the terraced gardens below the fortifications that slope down towards the Cousin River

The more modern part of the town contains cafes, restaurants and all facilities, and buildings in the style of the region - faded shutters, ironwork balconies etc. Overall Avallon is an attractive bustling town and a visit is recommended.

Attractions nearby

There is a great deal to enjoy in the countryside around Avallon. Among our personal favourites are the abbey and village at Vezelay to the west and the small village of Montreal to the east.

Slightly further but highly recommended is the small historical town of Noyers-sur-Serein, about 25 kilometres to the north of Avallon and listed among the most beautiful villages in France.

Photos of Avallon (click any picture to start the gallery)

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

Suggested places to visit near Avallon, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Corbigny 31km; Semur-en-Auxois 32km; Morvan Regional Park 34km; Saulieu 34km; Montbard 35km; Chablis 37km; Ancy-le-Franc castle 37km; Fontenay Abbey 37km; Tonnerre 41km; Tanlay castle 42km; Auxerre 43km; Bussy-Rabutin Chateau 47km; Flavigny 47km; Pontigny 49km; Guedelon 57km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Avallon

Avallon tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Basilique Sainte Madeleine (Vezelay) - religious monument (12km) : Jardin du moulin de Athie - remarkable garden (27km) : Eglise de Saint Barthélémy (Cervon) - religious monument (30km) : Parc de Saint-Léger - remarkable garden (30km) : Basilique de Saint Andoche (Saulieu) - religious monument (34km) : Abbaye de Fontenay (Montbard) - religious monument (36km) : Potager du château de Lantilly - remarkable garden (36km) : Jardin de la Chaux - remarkable garden (38km) :

French version: see Avallon (Francais)