Parc de la Vézelay

Vézelay is a small hill town in the north of Burgundy, in the Yonne department, built along a ridge above the valley of the Cure river and at the edge of the Morvan, the wooded upland that forms a regional natural park.

The town's silhouette is the first thing visitors notice. From a distance, the long ridge is crowned by the basilica of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine, whose tower and roof rise above a mass of grey stone houses with tiled roofs, and the whole is surrounded by green fields and woods. The approach is steep, along a street that climbs from the lower town to the basilica, so a break in a quiet green space, whether a park or a garden, is welcome before or after the climb. A green space like this offers a rest from the cobbled lanes and the stream of visitors, and gives a place to sit and look at the landscape.

The landscape itself rewards exploration. Behind the basilica, a terrace gives a long view over the valley, the vineyards that produce the white wines of Vézelay, made from Chardonnay, and the hills of the Morvan beyond. Paths lead down from the ramparts into the countryside, and the way along the foot of the walls is a pleasant short walk. The surrounding area has traces of very early settlement, and archaeologists have found evidence that people lived in the region thousands of years ago, although the town as we know it grew up around the abbey in the Middle Ages.

Vézelay was a major pilgrimage place, both for the relics said to be those of Mary Magdalene and as the starting point of the Via Lemovicensis, one of the French routes to Santiago de Compostela. The basilica and the hill were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1979. The Maison de la Vézelay, the Musée de Vézelay and the Place de la Halle belong to the town's visitor offering, and the Point de Vue du Mont Vézelay is a viewpoint for photographers.

The park suits walkers, families and visitors who want a break from the crowds. Visit early or late in the day to avoid the busiest hours, and wear sturdy shoes, since the town is built on a slope.