Rain in Burgundy has its own particular beauty. The vineyards darken, the stone buildings take on a deeper colour, and the village turns inward, toward cellars, kitchens, and the warmth of old buildings. A grey day in Chablis is not a day lost. It is simply a different kind of day.
Wine Cellars and Tastings
A rainy morning is the perfect excuse to descend into a wine cellar. The Yonne is home to some of the finest appellations in Burgundy. Chablis, Irancy, Saint-Bris, and the producers here welcome visitors with genuine warmth. Browse our list of favourite wineries on the wineries page.
La Chablisienne, the historic cooperative, offers guided tours that walk you through the winemaking process and end with a tasting of their finest crus. chablisienne.com
Brewery tours: Yes, in the land of wine, there is also beer. Maddam and Brasserie de Vézelay both offer tours of their organic craft breweries, with tastings at the end. maddam-chablis.com · brasseriedevezelay.fr
Making Something with Your Hands
Cooking with Ollie Timberlake: Learn to prepare Burgundian classics like boeuf bourguignon, gougères, or escargots with a local chef. A wonderful way to spend a rainy afternoon. ollietimberlake.co
Pottery with Stéphanie Wahl: In nearby Noyers-sur-Serein, the ceramicist Stéphanie Wahl offers hands-on workshops for beginners and experienced potters alike. stephaniewahlceramique.com
Spa and wellness: Treat yourself to a quiet hour at one of the spas in Auxerre, Joigny, or Sens.
Castles, Abbeys, and Cathedrals
The region is rich with stone, and on a rainy day, there is something deeply satisfying about stepping into a medieval building and feeling the centuries settle around you.
- Château de Saint-Fargeau (55 minutes): A medieval fortress with a dramatic history. chateau-de-st-fargeau.com
- Château de Tanlay (20 minutes) and Château d'Ancy-le-Franc (30 minutes): Two Renaissance masterpieces with fascinating guided tours. chateaudetanlay.fr · chateau-ancy.com
Saint-Étienne Cathedral in Auxerre (17 minutes); A majestic Gothic cathedral with luminous stained glass and ancient crypts. The kind of place where you can stand quietly for a long time.
Abbaye Saint-Germain in Auxerre (17 minutes); Sixteen centuries of history, including a Carolingian crypt with the oldest known wall paintings in France. abbayesaintgermain.fr
Abbaye de Pontigny (10 minutes); One of the best-preserved Cistercian abbeys in Europe, austere and imposing. The newly opened café, La Maison du Jardinier, serves vegetarian options in a lovely setting. abbayepontigny.com
Art galleries in Vézelay (45 minutes); The hilltop UNESCO village is threaded with small galleries and craft studios, each one worth lingering in.
Museums
Vinéa Passion Museum (5 minutes); A small, engaging museum dedicated to Chablis' wine heritage. museevineapassion-chablis.fr
Cité des Climats et des Vins de Chablis: An immersive journey through the Burgundy wine region, with interactive exhibits, guided tours, tastings, and activities for families. citeclimatsvins-bourgogne.com
Musée Saint-Germain in Auxerre (17 minutes); Archaeology and history from prehistory to the Middle Ages. abbayesaintgermain.fr
Colette Museum in Saint-Sauveur-en-Puisaye (56 minutes); The childhood home of the great French writer, now a museum dedicated to her life and luminous prose. musee-colette.com
Indoor Diversions
Bowling in Auxerre. O'Strike: Twenty lanes (suitable for children from age four), pool tables, laser tag, arcade games, and on-site dining. Open daily except Mondays. bowling-auxerre.com
Escape rooms: For those who enjoy a puzzle:
- Auxerre: Laser Games and L'Enquet'heure
- Vézelay: Vézelay Escape Game
Cinema
Catch a film at the cinemas in Auxerre or Tonnerre. Check local listings for concerts, plays, or other live performances, the cultural calendar here is richer than you might expect.
Or Simply Stay In
There is also the option of doing nothing at all. Maisons Vaudésir was designed for exactly this kind of day, board games and puzzles by the window, a film on Netflix, the PlayStation for the competitive, or simply a good book with a cup of coffee and the sound of rain on the river. Sometimes the best rainy-day plan is no plan at all.
