Visiting Auxerre - One of the Burgundy Day Trips from Domain de Cromey
Stay at Domain de Cromey and Discover What Auxerre is Known For on a Burgundy Day Trip
Domaine de Cromey - the place we at burgundywine.com call home - is the ideal place to spend your vacation of a lifetime in Burgundy — not only thanks to its history and charm, but for its superb location amongst some of the most fascinating attractions in all of France. And for those who want to make Burgundy day trips in the local area and discover some of the appellations on offer, perhaps up to Chablis to try the wines there, Auxerre is one destination to put on your list. Learn more about this Burgundy day trip.
Auxerre (pronounced “Ausserre”) in the department of Yonne is found about 150 km southeast of Paris, roughly midway between the capital and Domaine de Cromey. It lies just 20km from Chablis — you may be familiar with the appellation Chablis-Auxerrois, whose wines you can browse on the wine shop at BurgundyWine.com by Elden Selections (more about these wines later).
Burgundy Day Trips- Canal de Nivernais and River Yonne
The city is well-connected by its famous waterways – such as the Canal de Nivernais which helped industry in the city to grow, and which today can be explored at a sedate pace by taking one of the many boat trips on offer in the city. It’s one of the best ways to explore the timeless beauty of the place.
Wander around the Old Town and take in the sights such as the clock tower — framed below astonishing turreted architecture, it has been working continuously since 1483, with a unique display and two sets of hands (one for the time and one for the lunar phase of the moon). Next to the clock tower is the house of a character made famous in a children’s nursery rhyme and sung in all French schools: Guillaume Roussel, better known as Cadet Roussel. They cater for Burgundy day trips, too: you can easily find your way around the old town by following arrows marked on the ground which indicate the way of the Cadet Roussel trail.
Auxerre Cathedral and Abbaye de Saint-Germain
Declared a World Heritage site in 1862, Saint Etienne Cathedral in Auxerre is one of the finest examples of gothic architecture you’ll ever see, and is full of art and stained glass dating right back to the 12th century.
Also worth visiting is the Abbey named after Saint Germain, which dates back even further, to the 5th century, and contains the oldest fresco artworks in all of France. During the French Revolution, the Abbey was converted for use as a hospital.
Appellation Chablis and the Grand Auxerrois
The vineyards of Auxerre nestle on either side of the Yonne river and have become some of the most famous and terroir-driven wines in all of Burgundy. For pure expressions of a place, they don’t come much purer than this (the Chablis Grand Cru AOC specifically references geology). The vines grow on rocks which were created over a hundred million years ago and which are full of tiny oyster shells – because at this point in history it was an ocean floor! So when we say that Chablis wines taste of the sea, it’s not just a figure of speech...
Try These Top Chablis Wines from Auxerre
We recommend these wines from the Chablis-Auxerrois appellation:
Jean Dauvissat Pere et Fils Chablis 1er Cru ‘Cote de Lechet’: This classic Cote de Lechet showcases the mineral qualities that Chablis is known for. As a Premier Cru, it exemplifies the precise characteristics of the left bank of the river, featuring a razor-sharp profile with juicy, mouth-watering acidity. The palate opens with a distinct floral note and a smoky gun-flint aroma. The finish reveals bright berry fruit flavors, complemented by an enduring minerality that lingers beautifully.
Jean Dauvissat Pere et Fils Chablis Bas de Fourchaume: The parcel of land known as "Bas de Fourchaume" is situated directly beneath the Premier Cru Fourchaume, as its name suggests. It is classified within the Chablis appellation and benefits from the same south-southwest exposure as the Premier Cru, featuring deeper clay-loam soil. The wine undergoes a long maceration on fine lees, partly aged in stainless steel and part in 600-liter oak demi-muits. After 12 months of aging, the wine is assembled and then matures for an additional 6 months “en masse”. It undergoes light fining and filtering, but is not cold treated, which helps to preserve its aromatic delicacy.
Domaine Oudin Chablis 1er Cru 'Vaugiraut': The Oudin Vaugiraut is a Premier Cru wine from the upper left bank of the river, located above the village of Chichée and south of Chablis. This wine is a real delight, showcasing ripe fruit flavors alongside a hint of the famous “gun-flint” smokiness. It’s floral and mineral-driven, with a touch of salty sea about it. Overall, it is pure, powerful, and yet elegant too. (To try a right-bank wine, look no further than this Domaine Oudin Chablis 1er Cru 'Vaucoupins').
There can be few finer pleasures than enjoying these wines with a meal in one of Auxerre’s bistros, drinking in its history and culture. To really live like the French on your Burgundy day trips, you’ve got to have Chablis with escargot (snails) – their ‘gravelly’ flavor means this is a really delicious pairing. You could sauté them in tomato and parsley, or maybe make a nice ravioli in a white wine, garlic and herb sauce. There are so many other dishes to try too – tarragon chicken, clam chowder and asparagus, to name just a few.
Enjoy Chablis Wines At Domaine De Cromey as Our Guest
Want us to show you how to cook snails with these wonderful wines? Then you’ve come to the right place. If you stay in our baronial manor house – the Domaine de Cromey – then you can see many recipes from Ellie’s cookbook being made right in front of your eyes, in our extensive kitchens. You can eat in the majesty of our dining room (complete with its own historic wooden wine press!) or perhaps by the pool in the relaxing gardens and pool area. We run wine tasting, local tours, Burgundy day trips on foot and by bike, and we will ensure everything is arranged and taken care of to ensure a stress-free holiday. Click here to book now.
Find more fascinating articles on our blog, such as this one about the Domaine de Cromey Tasting Room, plus explore other Burgundy day trips such as visiting the town of Beaune, the capital of the Burgundy wine region. You can also join our famous Burgundy Wine Club by following this link.
