BLOG 18: Burgundy - and home / Burgundy - and Back Home!

Before we finally make our long way home, we head for a few places in Burgundy.

First we go from Auxerre to nearby Chablis. Of course we go to a winery, since it's still early in the morning we don't do a tasting, but stow two boxes of Chablis in the motorhome. The world-renowned Chablis is made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes, and large vineyards surrounding the town bear witness to this.

The next destination is a monastery again, we have visited many on our various trips to France, but the mostly special atmosphere always attracts us. Fontenay is considered one of the most important abbeys in Burgundy. Founded in 1118 by Bernhard von Clairvaux, the building follows the strict Cistercian Romanesque style and still largely corresponds to the original condition today. In the 13th century, hundreds of monks lived and worked in Fontenay. The heyday lasted until the 16th century and then the decline began. With the French Revolution, monastic life ended and in 1791 the last nine monks left the monastery, which was then sold in 1820 to Elie de Montgolfier, one of the nephews of the inventor of the hot air balloon (and paper manufacturer!). He set up a paper factory in the abbey buildings, and the basilica was increasingly threatened with decay.

In 1906, wealthy brothers Eduoard and Rene Aynard bought the entire complex and began the extensive restoration of the abbey and basilica that is ongoing to this day. It is thanks to these efforts that Fontenay, in its restored condition, has also been a World Heritage Site since 1981. The abbey is still owned by the Aynard family. In 1990, the film 'Cyrano de Bergerac' starring Gerard Depardieu was largely shot here.

The next goal is above all - or only? - interesting for Asterix readers or freaks. Although Majestix claims that there is no 'Alesia' existing, we find this place and of course visit the monument of the tragic Gallic hero Vercingetorix, who died here in 52 BC. lost the last and decisive battle of the Gauls against the superior Roman army under Julius Caesar. All of Gaul was occupied except for the well-known little village of Asterix and Obelix.

The monument is said to bear the features of Napoleon III, who had it erected in 1865. For us, however, it clearly resembles Asterix, the Gallic hero.

We are in the Cote d'Or department, not in one of the world-famous Burgundy wine regions of Cote d'Nuits or Cote d'Beaune, but in the Auxois region.

We visit the Vignoble de Flavigny-Alesia winery in an old 13th century monastery. The vineyard is one of the oldest in France, viticulture was recorded here as early as 744 under Charlemagne. The contemporary sculptures on display in the complex are also interesting. A wine tasting convinces us of the Pinot Noir Grand Cru Auxios 'Intra Muros'.

Thanks to 'France Passion' we can spend the night here directly - the nocturnal silence is only emphasized by the call of an owl.

So, and from the next morning it's time to drive, drive, drive...

Soon on the autobahn we pass Dijon and Mulhouse to Germany, our 'short cut' through the Black Forest to avoid the heavy return traffic in Germany (end of the Pentecost holidays), turns out to be very scenic, but almost Scottish narrow streets. But we manage to get close to Lake Constance that day, where we even grab a place to stay overnight. The next day brings us back to Austria near Bregenz, we still manage the Arlberg Pass (the tunnel is closed this summer) and the Inn Valley to Wattens. After a nice 'Steiner family evening' with the Tyrolean relatives, only the 450 km to Graz are waiting for us. And we also managed that.

Now we are back home, after 42 days and about 6500 kilometers driven....

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Before we finally make our long way home, we head for a few places in Burgundy.

First we go from Auxerre to nearby Chablis. Of course we go to a winery, since it's still early in the morning we don't do a tasting, but stow two boxes of Chablis in the motorhome. The world-renowned Chablis is made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes, and large vineyards surrounding the town bear witness to this.

The next destination is a monastery again, we have visited many on our various trips to France, but the mostly special atmosphere always attracts us. Fontenay is considered one of the most important abbeys in Burgundy. Founded in 1118 by Bernhard von Clairvaux, the building follows the strict Cistercian Romanesque style and still largely corresponds to the original condition today. In the 13th century, hundreds of monks lived and worked in Fontenay. The heyday lasted until the 16th century and then the decline began. With the French Revolution, monastic life ended and in 1791 the last nine monks left the monastery, which was then sold in 1820 to Elie de Montgolfier, one of the nephews of the inventor of the hot air balloon (and paper manufacturer!). He set up a paper factory in the abbey buildings, and the basilica was increasingly threatened with decay.

In 1906, wealthy brothers Eduoard and Rene Aynard bought the entire complex and began the extensive restoration of the abbey and basilica that is ongoing to this day. It is thanks to these efforts that Fontenay, in its restored condition, has also been a World Heritage Site since 1981. The abbey is still owned by the Aynard family. In 1990, the film 'Cyrano de Bergerac' starring Gerard Depardieu was largely shot here.

The next goal is above all - or only? - interesting for Asterix readers or freaks. Although Majestix claims that there is no 'Alesia' existing, we find this place and of course visit the monument of the tragic Gallic hero Vercingetorix, who died here in 52 BC. lost the last and decisive battle of the Gauls against the superior Roman army under Julius Caesar. All of Gaul was occupied except for the well-known little village of Asterix and Obelix.

The monument is said to bear the features of Napoleon III, who had it erected in 1865. For us, however, it clearly resembles Asterix, the Gallic hero.

We are in the Cote d'Or department, not in one of the world-famous Burgundy wine regions of Cote d'Nuits or Cote d'Beaune, but in the Auxois region.

We visit the Vignoble de Flavigny-Alesia winery in an old 13th century monastery. The vineyard is one of the oldest in France, viticulture was recorded here as early as 744 under Charlemagne. The contemporary sculptures on display in the complex are also interesting. A wine tasting convinces us of the Pinot Noir Grand Cru Auxios 'Intra Muros'.

Thanks to 'France Passion' we can spend the night here directly - the nocturnal silence is only emphasized by the call of an owl.

So, and from the next morning it's time to drive, drive, drive...

Soon on the autobahn we pass Dijon and Mulhouse to Germany, our 'short cut' through the Black Forest to avoid the heavy return traffic in Germany (end of the Pentecost holidays), turns out to be very scenic, but almost Scottish narrow streets. But we manage to get close to Lake Constance that day, where we even grab a place to stay overnight. The next day brings us back to Austria near Bregenz, we still manage the Arlberg Pass (the tunnel is closed this summer) and the Inn Valley to Wattens. After a nice 'Steiner family evening' with the Tyrolean relatives, only the 450 km to Graz are waiting for us. And we also managed that.

Now we are back home, after 42 days and about 6500 kilometers driven....