The name Chablis has Celtic roots and comes from "cab" meaning "house" and "leya" meaning "near the wood". Vines were first cultivated in the area under Emperor Probus after being pulled up under Emperor Domitian. In the 9th century, Charles the Bald had a church built at the mouth of the valley of Vaucharmes, and later gave the village of Chablis to Benedictine monks fleeing Viking invasions. The monks received donations of vineyards to support their holy office and serve the poor and guests. In 1455, a merchant from northern France's Maubeuge made the earliest recorded transaction involving Chablis wine outside the region, purchasing wine. Chablis faced vine diseases and loss of manpower due to World Wars, reducing vineyards to 550ha by 1955. However, winemakers' efforts in grafting resistant rootstock, using Bordeaux mixture, and introducing mechanization and heating revived wine production. The abundant 1970 vintage marked the return of prosperity to Chablis.

The church of St Mary Magdalene, a former French abbey established in the 9th century in Vézelay, Burgundy-Franche-Comté, is a masterpiece of Burgundian Romanesque art and a significant pilgrimage site. Known for housing the relics of St Mary Magdalene, the church became a popular destination for pilgrims traveling to Santiago de Compostela. The church's architecture, capitals, and carved portal, including the unique "Mission of the Apostles" tympanum, showcase the exceptional Romanesque art of the time. The church also played a critical role in history, serving as a site where St Bernard preached the Second Crusade, Richard the Lion-Hearted and Philip Augustus met before embarking on the Third Crusade, and Francis of Assisi founded the first Franciscan establishment on French soil.

Chateau de Ancy-le-Franc near Chablis
The Marquise de Sévigné wrote in her letters that it is a French building ‘in Italian dress’. Construction of the castle began in 1542 by Antoine III de Clermont, who inherited the land from his mother. He had lavish eccentric taste and wanted to build his home on virgin land so as not to have to conform to a previous castle. The result was a splendid castle truly representative of the ‘art de vivre’ of the Rennasissance.
Chateau de Bussy-Rabutin Near Montbard In 1649 completed work on this imposing château ranged round three sides of a quadrangle set between four conical towers, standing in 34 hectares (84 acres) of parkland and gardens. 'Outrageous', 'scandalous' and 'flamboyant' are some of the politer descriptions of Roger ! Roger de Bussy-Rabutin was a popular figure at the Court of Louis XIV until one day he was caught singing songs ridiculing the King's affair with Marie de Mancini. Louis sent Bussy-Rabutin into exile in Burgundy, and there, accompanied by his mistress, the Marquise de Montglat, he wrote his 'Histoire Amoureuse des Gaules', a series of tales, partly true, about four famous ladies of the Court. The King then had him sent to the Bastille for 1 year, after which he was forced into exile in his château in Burgundy. Very bitter towards the Sun King, Roger drew scandalous cartoons and comments about his ex-mistresses and celebrities of the time. These are now framed on the walls of the château. He also displayed in his bedchamber the portraits of 25 mistresses of French kings.
Chateau de Bazoches near Vézelay Jean de Bazoches who built the Château in 1180, but its most famous owner was a military leader, engineer and strategist for King Louis XIV, Vauban. Vauban invented the bayonet rifle, iron-barrelled cannon and the mortar. Today the château is owned by Hélène de Vibraye married Arnaud, Vicomte de Sigalas a family descending from the original Bazoches line. In 1992 he couple spent 5 years restoring Bazoches to its glory before opening it up for the public.
Chateau de Commarin near Châteauneuf en Auxois Château Commarin is still privately owned by the same family for 7 centuries now. It is a very impressive home surrounded by a large moat and the parkland surrounding the building is complete with grazing horses, make this a rural paradise for visitors. It was originally a fortified farm and is first mentioned in history in 1214. Its owners were direct descendants from the Dukes of Burgundy line. In the 17th and 18th century the château was constructed to its present state by Marie-Judith Vienne.