4 days in the Yonne (Burgundy) with kids - itinerary suggestions?
 

Hi all,

I am trying to put together our itinerary for an upcoming month-long trip to France. We will be spending 5 days in Burgundy, 4 of those in the Yonne department (near Joigny). We will have already been to Normandy and the Loire Valley. Our girl are 8 and 10. They are active girls but also enjoy artsy stuff. I recognize I may be packing too much stuff into each day so would appreciate views on what to drop.

So far I have this notional itinerary:

1. Day 1 - Hit market day in Joigny. Rent bikes for 1-2 hours along one of the canals (maybe renting in Migennes? Can't find a bike rental place in Joigny itself). Visit to La Fabuloserie OR Laduz for folk art stuff which may interest kids.

2. Day 2 - visit to Guedelon construction site to see castle being built using traditional materials. Guided visit at 2 pm in English. Can register girls for 12 pm stone carving workshop. Thoughts on lunch -- stop at boulangerie to pick up picnic fixings to eat at site? Is this a full-day activity or should we also combine w/ something in the area (parc de Boutissaint or Poterie de la Batisse)?

3. Day 3 - Visit to Vezelay and Auxerre (two towns that seem highly recommended).

4. Day 4 - drive to Beaune/ Dijon. Overnight in Dijon before taking TGV to Avignon.

I had Chateau de Tanlay or Ancy-le-franc but dropped those at hubby's request to substitute Guedelon site (he told me he will be "castled- out" after Loire and as an engineer is much more interested in Guedelon! Note this is our second visit to France where we stayed in the Dordogne].

Merci a l'avance! Welcome any additional suggestions, restos, other activities that kids may enjoy that I missed.

Lisa

I think doing both Vezelay and Auxerre in one day is a lot - since Vezelay can easily take most of it. It's situated up and on top of quite a steep hill and the Abbey at the top deserves time to explore. Founded in the 9th century it is wonderful to explore and you should find out if there will be any music while you are there. We saw a choir of nuns singing (really odd since they seemed to be mostly young, unlike the US where most nuns are reaching retirement age.)

Your itinerary seems fine.

Tell hubby that Tanley & Ancy-le-Franc are different in styles/age than those in the Loire. Make sure you don't visit Auxerre or Dijon on a Sunday, or Monday morning when most shops will be closed.

Stu Dudley

Add maybe Pontigny and the Morvan Parc, also might add in Irancy for a wine tasting and a visit to Chablis

Thanks, all.

Hadn't considered Chablis but it is quite close to Auxerre. Is there a recommendation for a particular winery? Or maybe a lunch spot? We were also considering lunch at La Salamandre in Auxerre.

Chablis has a restaurant that sits over the old waterwheel feed channel (it will look like a river to most people which is a nice big airy room with local specialities (boiled eggs in poached in red wine is big, but so are andoiullette (I think one to many vowels in there somewhere) which sound unpleasant but are great. Lots of picnic areas along the river.

Winery, this is big business so a number of large barns along the main road, visit the Roman wine press and the institute and possibly the main Coop.

We spent two weeks in the Yonne [ Villeneuve sur Yonne] last year and enjoyed the region. Another place that may interest you as a family is Provins. We did a day up there. It is an old walled town which is interesting to wander and where there are also activities such as shows with horses and falconry displays.

Joigny itself has some lovely old interesting buildings. You can drive up to a viewpoint above the town for a good view of the town on the river. We also enjoyed the abbey at Pontigny and there is a lovely cathedral with beautiful stained glass in St Florentin. The key can be obtained at the tourist office around the corner. If you are interested in unusual structures, there is an interesting lavoir in Brienon sur Armancon

Bon voyage.

Thanks, all.

Rhon: I had to look up what a lavoir is! Looks neat.

We were thinking of checking out the Cyclorail in Puisaye. Has anyone done this? There are only a few revies on Tripadvisor.

http://cyclorail.com/les-deux-cyclor...il-de-puisaye/

Did it a few years back, ok way to spend a couple of hours tops, probably not so good in the rain.