Vézelay walks

A gentle hike starting from the town of Vézelay and heading west. The end of the hike offers a spectacular view of the historic centre and the basilica. The hike is mainly on forest paths. No difficulties to be expected.

Hike starting from the small village of Saint-Père, with a visit to the stunning Notre-Dame church, a masterpiece of Burgundian Gothic architecture, passing by the two bridges of Pierre-Perthuis and the Pierre Percée site overlooking the Cure valley. On the way back, there is an alternative route along the Cure, then an ascent towards the vineyards with views of Vézelay.

This route allows you to discover part of the Vézelay vineyard. It covers 120 hectares in the communes of Asquins, Saint-Père, Tharoiseau and Vézelay. During this hike, you can enjoy numerous views of Vézelay Basilica and the Morvan countryside.And don't leave Saint-Père without visiting the church and the Salt Springs site.

This route allows you to discover part of the Vézelay vineyard. There are 120 hectares of vineyards in the communes of Asquins, Saint-Père, Tharoiseau and Vézelay. During this walk, you'll discover numerous viewpoints over the basilica and the town of Vézelay. Take the opportunity to visit the medieval village of Vézelay, its basilica and ramparts.

A tributary of the Yonne, the Cure is an iconic river of the Morvan. This river descent, by kayak or canoe, takes place amidst woodland and meadows, close to villages with a rich heritage. Please disregard the elevation gain shown: this is indeed a river descent.

From the hamlet of Usy, and after crossing the Bois des Rompées, you will reach theGR® 13. The appeal of this route is the crossing of this pretty wood and the views of the landscape. There are no difficulties except for the small slope leading up to Notre-Dame de la Lumière. From this statue, there is a view of the Cure valley and the village of Cure.

From the charming village of Cure, after crossing the Bois de l'Épenay, you arrive at the beautiful site of Pierre-Perthuis, with its 18th-century arched bridge overlooked by the more recent road bridge. You then climb up the River Cure through the undergrowth. A steep climb leads to a superb viewpoint over the valley. A diversion to the statue of Notre-Dame de la Lumière and another viewpoint precedes the descent to the starting village.

Montmarte Hill offers stunning views of the Avallon region, hidden treasures, and the village of Vault-de-Lugny, which it overlooks.

Start from the church in Vault-de-Lugny, where the paintings were restored in 2017, and head to the summit of Montmarte. Return via Château de Domecy.

This is a walk that takes you along small roads, numerous paths and, towards the end, alongside the River Cure. This walk offers varied scenery, is not difficult and features a well-distributed elevation gain. Away from the town and the tourists, let yourself be guided through the countryside, amongst the trees and to the sound of flowing water.

Set amidst unspoilt countryside, this walk, in a stunning setting flanked by the Yonne and the Canal du Nivernais, offers breathtaking views of the famous Rochers du Saussois, a mecca for rock climbing, with and flora. The route around this bend in the Yonne is full of remarkable views.

Immerse yourself in the heart of the Morvan Regional Natural Park! Explore enchanting trails through mystical forests, green hills and crystal-clear rivers. Soak up the tranquillity and unspoilt beauty of these places. Marvel at breathtaking panoramas, observe a diverse range of flora and fauna, discover authentic villages such as Vézelay and finally relax by the Lac du Crescent. Whether you are a keen hiker or simply looking to get away from it all, this getaway to the Morvan is an invitation to wonder and serenity. Put on your walking shoes and set off on an unforgettable adventure in the heart of nature.

This “challenging” round-trip hike follows the River Cousin as closely as possible between Avallon and Pontaubert. Various signs along the route provide information on the work carried out to restore and maintain the habitat necessary for fish reproduction.

This walk is almost entirely through forest on the outskirts of Avallon, with a few sections on the road. The first part is mainly in forest, while the second part is more open, bordering meadows and pastures.

A short walk with lovely views and a stroll through pretty hamlets.

A shaded, cool route through meadows and woodland, leading to the Brinjame where children can splash about. You can compare the landscapes and undergrowth created by different types of forestry. A beautiful view on the way back, particularly of Vézelay. Passes through the pretty hamlet of Athée.Very interesting on a mountain bike, with lovely descents, a few good climbs and technical sections.

A short walk across the plain and through the fields between Avallon and Annay-la-Côte. This route has very few inclines, with just one notable one right at the very end. It mainly follows paths through the fields and takes an old Roman road that is no longer used by vehicles. The starting point offers a magnificent view over the whole plain, with the small town of Avallon in the background.

On this route, discover the richness of the local heritage. Walk through the Coteaux de Tannay vineyards and meet the winegrowers who produce this famous grape variety known as ‘Melon’. Follow the famous waterway, the Nivernais Canal, and with a bit of luck, as you round a lock, you’ll see a boat passing through. Discover the 13th-century Saint-Loup Church and the bust of Paul-Jean Rigollot, inventor of “Papier Rigollot”.

This hike offers a main course and dessert of varied landscapes and views. The price you pay will depend on your physical abilities!

Sermentole and its varied forest landscapes, followed by a visit to the charming village of Asnois with its Saint-Loup church, castle, wash house and swimming spot.

Between Saint-Germain and Chastellux, a walk in the northern Morvan, through pastures, meadows, woods and hamlets. This is initially a rural route that joins the road after passing the dam. The path then becomes more wooded until it passes under the bridge of the main road. The final few kilometres follow a small road. As well as the Crescent reservoir, you can admire the beautiful Château de Chastellux. There is also a short passage under a small aqueduct, which is actually an underground river that required a small structure due to the terrain.

In the heart of the Cure valley, this route allows you to discover the typical Burgundian village of Arcy-sur-Cure, famous for its caves, which are classified as an archaeological site of national interest. You can visit them during your walk. The route offers beautiful views of the meandering Cure river. This hike is recommended by the municipality of Arcy-sur-Cure and Yonne Tourisme and has been certified by the Yonne departmental committee of the FFRP (French Federation of Hiking and Rambling).

A beautiful walk between Arcy-sur-Cure and Saint-Moré via Nailly and the old oak tree of Saint-Moré.

Third and final stage of the Avallon-Vézelay-Lac du Crescent-Avallon loop. You will leave Lac du Crescent and head into the countryside and forests of the Morvan for the last time. This final stage of the loop takes us back to Avallon after a pleasant walk, where you will find the River Cousin.

Starting from the Mailly-le-Château viewpoint, this is a short, easy walk – a peaceful and straightforward route through the woods and along the canal. .

A short walk with lovely views, passing through villages and with a view of a castle.

A journey through the Morvan massif. This is a forest walk, far from people and towns. It crosses several streams and winds its way through the hills of this verdant landscape. Any markings along the route should be disregarded.