Chablis, Vézelay and the Morvan
White wine villages, two of France’s finest abbeys and the lakes and forests of the Morvan, ending in Roman Autun.
- Distance
- 237 km (147 mi)
- Driving
- 3 h 16 min
- Suggested days
- 4
- Stops
- 7
- Countries
- France
- Updated
- September 2, 2026
At a glance: 4-day road trip of about 237 km (147 mi) with 7 stops, from Auxerre to Autun. About 3 h 16 min of driving in total.
More road trips in France
Route description
From Auxerre, with its riverside abbey and cathedral, the D965 leads east to Chablis, a small town entirely devoted to its dry Chardonnay. Cross the vineyards to Noyers, a walled village of timber-framed houses in a loop of the Serein river.
Continue east to Fontenay Abbey, hidden in a wooded valley near Montbard, the most complete Cistercian monastery in France. Then turn back south-west across farmland to Vézelay, where the basilica on the hilltop marks a starting point of the Way of St James.
South of Avallon the road climbs into the Morvan, a regional park of granite, forest and reservoirs. The Lac des Settons has beaches and campsites, and small roads lead on through the woods to Autun, with its Roman gates and theatre and a cathedral carved by Gislebertus.
Roads in the Morvan are narrow but quiet. Vézelay’s hill is best reached early in the morning, and in autumn the forests and the Chablis harvest make this a fine off-season trip.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Auxerre
France - 222 km
Chablis
France - 324 km
Noyers
France - 438 km
Fontenay Abbey
HistoryMarmagne, FranceThe best preserved early Cistercian abbey in France, founded in 1118 in a quiet wooded valley. The bare church, cloister and water-powered forge are all intact.
- 565 km
Vézelay Basilica
HistoryVézelay, FranceA Romanesque basilica on a hilltop, a starting point of the Way of St James, with a carved tympanum and light-filled nave. Park at the bottom and walk up the single main street.
- 648 km
Lac des Settons
NatureMontsauche-les-Settons, FranceA 19th-century reservoir in the forests of the Morvan, with beaches, a lakeside path and campsites. A cool, green stop on a hot summer day.
- 740 km
Autun
France
Suggested stages and overnight stops
4 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Auxerre → Noyers · 46 km · 0 h 38 minOn the way: Chablis.Overnight nearby, for example: Camping La Cascade (18 km); Camping de Chablis (19 km).
- Day 2: Noyers → Vézelay Basilica · 103 km · 1 h 25 minOn the way: Fontenay Abbey.Overnight nearby, for example: Camping municipal (2 km); Le Petit Port (12 km).
- Day 3: Vézelay Basilica → Lac des Settons · 48 km · 0 h 40 minOvernight nearby, for example: Camping Plage du Midi (1 km); Camping Les Mésanges (1 km).
- Day 4: Lac des Settons → Autun · 40 km · 0 h 33 minOvernight nearby, for example: Camping des 2 Rives (13 km); Aire de campings-cars Autun (1 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in October. Cold, short days in January–February. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- France: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autoroutes; the limit drops to 110 km/h in rain. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is Chablis, Vézelay and the Morvan?
4-day road trip of about 237 km (147 mi) with 7 stops, from Auxerre to Autun. About 3 h 16 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Chablis, Vézelay and the Morvan?
We suggest 4 days: about 3 h 16 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Chablis, Vézelay and the Morvan start and end?
It starts in Auxerre and ends in Autun.
Which countries does Chablis, Vézelay and the Morvan pass through?
France.
Where can you camp along Chablis, Vézelay and the Morvan?
OpenStreetMap lists 78 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Le Patis, Camping de Chablis and Camping d'Accolay.
When is the best time for Chablis, Vézelay and the Morvan?
The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
