cocofromdijon

mimi, when I was working at l'Hostellerie de la Poste in 92 I used to sleep in Napoleon's bed!
It was actually a long and narrow bedroom with a single bed, not the nice double bedroom they say it is.

jhanlon

"Le Jardin Gourmand in Auxerre, does anyone know what days it is closed?"

The web site (on the reservations page)says closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays (and 7-29 November)

nytraveler

Don;t know the name of number of the room - this was about 4 years ago.

The rooms all seem to be different - and a couple we looked into seemed a trifle eccentric (some low beams). And it was originaly a mill and attached buildings.

I would just reco getting one on the side facing over the stream and into the forest - rather than towards the parking lot/road (but with practically no traffic). Just be sure that you don;t have a problem with the sound of a running stream.

lemidi

I won't be much help for the current condition of these hotels but I am reminiscing as I read this thread. My dear uncle had a tiny hotel/bar/restaurant in a town just North of Avallon called Arcy sur Cure. I spent alot of time here in the late 70's as a young teenager and have great memories. We explored the region in depth with my family and dined at and stayed at many of the hotels you are all discussing. I certainly did not appreciate most of it at the time.

However, we stayed at the Moulins des Ruats and as a kid I thought it was the most romantic hotel in the world. I even saw a little french boy who I fell in love with. I knew I would go back to this hotel and did about 15 years ago with my husband. It was still just as romantic and utterly charming. We fell asleep in lawn chairs by the stream it was sooo relaxing. I had the best tarte aux pommes for dessert in the hotel restaurant. I now want to go back with my children.

Enjoy your trip.

Sue4

Kay, in Sens I stayed at the Best Western Hotel de Paris et de la Poste.
It was well-located very close to the Cathedral on a main street, and was easy to find. There was a huge parking area in the middle of town near the hotel. The hotel was OK for my one night, and convenient, but was a little let-down after the lovely Moulin des Ruats and the WONDERFUL Chateau d'Ige (in southern Burgundy between Cluny and Macon), anything would have been a let-down! I had also spent a couple of nights at the Sofitel Dijon la Cloche, which was also great(remember, I had 13 days in Burgundy). If I remember correctly, I don't think there was much choice in Sens. The hotel had a decent restaurant, but I remember my steak-frites wasn't that great. I think they had a fancier restaurant also. By the way, every other meal I had in Burgundy was superb. I thought better than any other part of France I had been to (which is alot).

However, Sens was worth it to see the Cathedral with it's beautiful stained glass. Also the Musee de Sens was wonderful (especially the prehistoric part, and the gorgeous "Tresors" of the Cathedral. I was very glad I had worked in Sens for the trip.

I agree with others here that Vezelay is a "must see". I didn't stop in Avallon, as it was teeming with people the day I passed through, and parking looked like a huge problem, and I was anxious to get to the MOulin des Ruats.
Avallon looked pretty, but touristy and mostly shops.

Auxerre, on the other hand, is a REAL town, with so many interesting things to see. They had a wonderful town "walking map" with explanation of what you're seeing. I had 2 nights there, with only 1 full day, and definitely felt like another day would have been great. Even tho my hotel, the Normandie, was charming and a bargain, I'm sure the Marechal des Parc will be more desirable.

I could go on and on about Burgundy - I do believe it's my favorite part of France. There were some wonderful chateaux there, too. I'm dying to go back! If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.

Cameron

bookmarking

twoflower

Once I stayed in La Roche-en-Brenil, a rural setting and very nice somewhere between Saulieu and Avallon. I've also stayed in Avallon, and it was fine if limited for choice. Called in to Auxerre next day for lunch (after visiting Vezelay) and was impressed. As another poster said, it felt like a 'real town', and I made a mental note to stay there next time.

georgiegirl

I was thinking of doing a day trip to Auxerre from Dijon. This post confirmed my plan. Thank you.

katzen

bookmarking.

ourjetboat

bookmarking

SuQue

We stayed in Joigny near Auxerre, a lovely town on the river, then one night in Vezelay and four nights in Beaune. By spending the night in Vezelay, we were able to enjoy it after the day trippers left. We have been to Burgundy twice and love its charming villages, the food,wine and cheese.You can't go wrong.

Sue4

Just happened upon this post again. Just reading over this has me dying to go back to Burgundy! I loved every bit of it north and south!

bratsandbeer

Vezelay and Guedelon Castle are both great to visit. Amand-en-Pouisaye and Sauveur-en-Puisaye and the area have many small pottery shops. Also, a little further away is Gien where the famous china factory is. They have a great factory store.
We stayed in a b&b in the countryside and drove into Auxerre every night for dinner. Sorry can't help you with the hotels.

Mia

ttt