Burgundy road trip: Day 3

Rain and thunderstorm made for an unruly sleep, and our doggy was not amused. She hates loud noises. So we had to cuddle her throughout the night and made her feel as safe and as comfy as possible while it lasted. The rain continued in the morning and Hilda again, didn't find that funny either because she despises water in all states of matter.

Nevertheless we took her along on our day trip. Our first stop was Noyers, a beautifully preserved medieval village nestled on the banks of the Serein River. It offers a charming glimpse into the past and is listed as one of the most picturesque villages in France (“Les Plus Beaux Villages de France”), famed for its cobbled streets and half-timbered houses.

It still poured when we reached Chablis, a tiny village renowned for its white wines made from Chardonnay grapes, praised and prized for their elegant taste and to this effect quite expensive. Surrounded by rolling vineyards, Chablis combines rich viticultural heritage but what impressed us most was the local washhouse situated along the banks of the Serein River.

The rain had finally stopped as we arrived at the impressive Pontigny abbey, a historic Cistercian monastery founded in 1114 by monks from Cîteaux. The cloister is renowned for its architectural significance, featuring a blend of Romanesque and early Gothic styles. Its church, constructed between 1138 and 1150, is the largest surviving Cistercian church in the world. The design emphasizes simplicity and light, with unadorned white limestone pillars and clear glass windows that create a luminous interior. Pontigny Abbey served as a place of refuge for notable figures, including three Archbishops of Canterbury: Thomas Becket, Stephen Langton, and Saint Edmund of Abingdon. The latter's relics are preserved in the abbey, attracting pilgrims over the centuries.

On our way back to Chatillon-sur-Seine we stumbled across a moated castle. Château de Tanlay is a Renaissance-style château located in the village of Tanlay. Built between the 16th and 17th centuries, it was constructed on the foundations of a medieval fortress.The castle is renowned for its elegant architecture, including cylindrical towers, a symmetrical courtyard, and a picturesque moat. And its park gave Hilda an opportunity for an overdue potty break.