The village is more or less one long, steep street that rises up to Vezelay Abbey at the top of the hill. Many of the houses along the main street are now cafes, galleries and gift shops.
(I was pleased to see almost none of the 'tack' along the road that occupies many a tourist town - if you 'need' carved zebras, coloured fluffy toys and lollies saying "je t'aime" you will need to look elsewhere... This is a big plus in Vezelay's favour!)
You will notice the shells set in the ground - these are the symbol of the French pilgrims who set off to walk from France to the church of St James at Santiago de Compostella (Spain). One of the four main pilgrim routes starts from the abbey.
There are also a few narrow winding streets leading off the main street, hemmed in by ancient houses featuring many examples of the local architecture, and the original village ramparts that still surround Vezelay. When we visited these side streets were curiously quiet and empty despite the large number of visitors in the village just a few metres away - be sure to amble along a couple and take a look.
In addition to being a 'most beautiful villages of France', Vézelay and surroundings and the abbey are listed by UNESCO as being a World Heritage Site.
Vezelay Abbey
The highlight of the village is without doubt the Abbey of St Mary Magdalene, an awe-inspiring building with soaring decorative vaults. The abbey contains the relics of Saint Mary and was historically a starting point for pilgrims following one of several French plgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostella.
From the 12th century, the abbey passed into severe disrepair, until it was restored in the 19th century to the splendid abbey that you can now visit.
The most notable event in the history of the abbey took place when Richard the Lionheart and Phillippe Auguste embarked on the 3rd crusade from this abbey.
There is a Visitor Centre to explain more about the abbey about half way along the street, in an attractive half-timbered building
Also to see
Jules-Roy House
The writer Jules-Roy lived in Vézelay, and his house can now be visited, next to the abbey. The gardens at the house are very beautiful and peaceful, well-maintained, and have far-reaching views - worth a look even if you don't know of Jules-Roy himself.
Museum of the work of Viollet-le-Duc
Rooms above the cloister of the abbey now house some medieval sculptures that have come from the basilica and area.
Note: parking in Vezelay is below the village and a small charge (2 euros for 2 hours or 3 euros for all day) is made.
Visit also the nearby village of Saint-Pere - a small village with an exuberant church!
Photo Gallery
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Tourist classifications for Vezelay
'Historical protected town centre' (secteur sauvegardé);
Suggested places to visit near Vezelay
Avallon 12km
Clamecy 17km
Montreal 23km
Corbigny 24km
More suggestions: Noyers-sur-Serein 32km; Chablis 39km; Auxerre 39km; Morvan Regional Park 42km; Saulieu 42km; Semur-en-Auxois 44km; Guedelon 46km; Tonnerre 46km; Ancy-le-Franc castle 47km; Montbard 48km; Pontigny 49km; Tanlay castle 49km; Fontenay Abbey 50km; Flavigny 59km; Bussy-Rabutin Chateau 59km;
Selected Highlights nearby
Basilique Sainte Madeleine (Vezelay) - religious monument (0km) : Eglise de Saint Barthélémy (Cervon) - religious monument (25km) : Prieuré de Saint Révérien (Saint-Reverien) - religious monument (34km) : Parc de Saint-Léger - remarkable garden (37km) : Jardin du moulin de Athie - remarkable garden (40km) : Basilique de Saint Andoche (Saulieu) - religious monument (42km) : Jardin de la Chaux - remarkable garden (44km) : Parc et jardin du château du Chatillon en Bazois - remarkable garden (46km) : Potager du château de Lantilly - remarkable garden (48km) : Abbaye de Fontenay (Montbard) - religious monument (48km) :
See these places and more on a map at places near Vezelay
Airports near Vezelay
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