Welcome to our northern region of Burgundy !

Sun flowers

Helena and Moe invite you to discover the delights of their region and sample some of things to do and see, all within a short drive away from Fulvy.
The Tonnerrois, with the Champagne at its borders, is a Land of Stone, Water, Forest, and Vineyards. It has a rich and varied heritage, a vivid memory of our history : churches, abbeys, Châteaux, Lavoirs (Wash houses). These traces of the past, testimony to the middle ages and the Renaissance, provide a link with its roots and an opportunity to rediscover a forgotten world.

The history of this cultural heritage in the Tonnerrois can be read throughout its living patrimony.
If it is well-being you are looking for, come and recharge your batteries in the land of the Tonnerrois and, on the banks of its rivers, canals and lakes, discover its treasures and enjoy its local gastronomy and wines from Chablis, Epineuil, Irancy...

Villages and markets

View of Fulvy

Fulvy is just one of the charming medieval villages scattered throughout the region, and both The Coach House and Spring Cottage provide an ideal holiday base for exploring Burgundy.
There are no shops in Fulvy, but a bread van passes daily providing fresh croissants and baguettes. Ancy le Franc  (5 min. drive) provides 2 supermarkets, butchers, bakers, restaurants, café bars, chemist, hair salons, antique/brocante shops, banks, garage, etc...

Ancy le Franc market

Visit the medieval village of Noyers-sur-Serein, famous for its steep tiled roofs and beautiful half timbered and arcaded houses. Noyers belongs to the select club "Des Plus beaux villages de France" (the most beautiful villages in France).Only a very short drive away from Fulvy, at the gateway of the Chablis vineyards, this mediaeval village has some exceptionally charming features: remarkable architecture from the 13^th to the 18^th century (cobbled squares and streets, half timbered houses, lava and old tile roofs), art galleries and museums, walks along the old tracks, or on the site of the former château.

Noyers-sur-Serein

Wines and vineyards

Vineyard Chablis

Visit the famous Chablis and Tonnerre vineyards just 20  minutes drive. Taste some of the famous Chablis grands crus, i.e. Blanchot, Grenouille, Fourchaume....

The wines of the Côte de Beaune (1 hour drive away) are probably among the most famous in the world.

Vineyard Chablis

Signs bearing a bunch of grapes will guide you through the 13 villages and towns which are flood-lit at night. Don´t forget to make the vital stops in the wine tasting cellars and perhaps buy a bottle or two to take home, i.e. Pommard, Gevrey Chambertin, Volnay.

Châteaux, Abbeys and historical sites

Château d´Ancy le Franc, 5 minutes drive away, is among the most beautiful residences of the Renaissance period in Burgundy. A masterpiece by Serlio, celebrated architect to Francis I, this magnificent Renaissance palace, built between 1544 and 1550 for Antoine III de Clermont, is the only example in France of a building with four equal wings forming a perfect square. Set in a large park, this château, with its monumental and austere façade, encloses and elegant inner courtyard and its series of wall paintings are some of the best preserved examples in France.

Château d´Ancy le Franc

Château de Tanlay

Surrounded by moats and a beautiful park designed by the Dijon architect Le Muet, Château de Tanlay is one of the most charming Renaissance houses in Burgundy. The château was built in the 16^th and 17^th centuries and has some very fine interiors : The "trompe l´oeil" chamber and the Tour de la Ligue with its frescoes are particularly original and very interesting.
During the summer months there are numerous art exibitions, classical and jazz concerts to cater for all tastes.

This Renaissance Château de Nuits was built in the 16^th century by Claude de Chenu. Overlooking the Armançon valley, the Château´s first function was a military one and the sophisticated and elegant West façade was originally protected by ramparts. It has some fine outbuildings and the main floor shows influences from the 16^th, 17^th, 18^th and 19^th centuries in the style of the fireplaces and panelling.

Château de Nuits

Fontenay Abbey

The famous Abbaye de Fontenay was founded in 1118 and consecrated by St Bernard in 1147 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. This is a unique monument, a masterpiece of Romanesque art.
This monastery was built following a concept of rigour and passion, which is expressed in the following verse from the Psalm of David :

What is there for me in heaven and what could I desire on earth, if not you ?

The Fosse Dionne is a spring similar to the Fontaine de Vaucluse, with a constant, though variable flow. In 1758 the father of the Chevalier d´Eon converted part of it into a wash-house. The Fosse Dionne has always been a fascinating puzzle and explorations date back to the 19^th century. But it has kept its secret: the source of its water. The result of a complex series of spring thermal and resurgences, this spring forms a basin at the base of which the entrance to a shaft is visible. The Fosse Dionne is so intriguing and mysterious; it has given rise to a number of legends: the basilisk serpent, the Devil´s coins, Yvonne and Toinou and many more.

Fosse Dionne

Tonnerre - Hôtel Dieu

The Hôtel Dieu de Tonnerre was Founded by Marguerite de Bourgogne (1250-1308).
A hospital museum tells the story of the hospital through the centuries and has a number of interesting exhibits, notably the founder´s charter for the Hôtel Dieu.

Where to Shop and Eat

There are very good, reasonably priced restaurants in the area providing traditional Burgundian food. With a good guide book and lots of tips from us and above all, a good nose, you are not going to be disappointed.
Try La Beursaudière at Nitry or L´Espérance at Saint-Père-sous-Vézelay, run by the famous chef Marc Meneau.

Don´t forget the tantalising delicacies Epoisses cheese, Flavigny´s aniseed balls and Dijon´s mustard and gingerbread, even a saint would be tempted! You will find clear and lazy streaming water throughout the countryside where you can have a picnic or perhaps go fishing, take your pick, nature will make you forget all your worries.

Burgundian Gastronomy

There are lots of antique shops to be found in the local rural villages and large towns. Don´t forget the vide greniers (car boot sales) held in the local villages on Sunday where you might find a little treasure.

Leisure Activities

Canal of Burgundy

There is a wealth of leisure and cultural activities in the area. Cross country cycling, cycling along the footpath of the beautiful Canal de Bourgogne, or the banks of the River Armançon, just 3 minutes away. Hire a boat in Tonnerre for a day trip or just laze around and perhaps play tennis or a round of golf at Tanlay, 15 minutes drive, situated within the parc of the Château de Tanlay (jewel of the Renaissance). It runs along the canal and its perspective.

Tanlay´s 9 hole golf - 1

Tanlay´s 9 hole golf - 2

Agreeable and pleasant course, challenging at times, and open to all, The Golf of the Château de Tanlay is a 9 hole golf course, approved by the Fédération Française de Golf. It represents a par 69 of 5215 m with a slope of 125.

Tanlay´s 9 hole golf - 3

Or try the 18 hole golf course at Chaource, La Cordelière. Tennis courts at Nuits, 3 minutes by car, and Tanlay. Visit Nigloland amusement park just one hour drive.

Lake Marcenay is just 30 minutes drive and is safe for swimming and provides canoe hire and has free barbecue facilities.  There is a lovely restaurant overlooking the lake. Lac de Pont, close to Semur en Auxois offers a wide range of water sports, including sailing, windsurfing and jet skiing. At Cry Sur Armançon just ten minutes drive also provide canoes and bicycles for hire.

Cardo Land - A Prehistorical Park in Burgundy
A 10 hectares wooded valley invites you for a trip 600 million years into thre past.
28 individual scenes : dinosaurs, prehistoric village, cave with frescos.
Wheelchair friendly, Large parking area, Restaurant, Children game area.
A 20 meter length Diplodocus is currently under construction.
The alleys are delightfully shaded, a prehistorical adventure playground and a Cardo works exhibition await children and parents.

Click on pic to visit
Cardo Land website

And of course, do not forget a visit to Paris or Eurodisney ....

Click on pic to visit
Disneyland-Paris website

Just 1 hour by T.G.V, (fast train) and 15 minutes drive from Le petit Village to the train station in Montbard where the parking is safe and free.
Your train leaves at 7.09 AM, and drops you at the gate of the park at 8.09 AM.
Spend a great day with the kids at Disneyland Paris, (no need to book your tickets in advance).
Your return journey is due at 7.45 PM and drops you at Montbard where your car awaits you to take you back to either Coach House or Spring Cottage.

There´s been much talk of food and wine. Essential as they are to any holiday in Burgundy. Part of the art of good living and "richness" of the region is the ambience and the festivals that make this such a colourful place to spend an entire holiday or just a few days. There are so many things to do and see, from open air classical concerts, to discovering Burgundy´s past and present, museums, harvest festivals, art galleries, the list is endless...