Vezelay

The tiny walled town of Vézelay, a French heritage spot, is surrounded by some of the most beautiful countryside in Burgundy. Vézelay's focal point is the Basilique Sainte Madeleine, a former abbey church founded in the 9th century. During the Middle Ages, it housed what were believed to be the relics of St Mary Magdalene, which ensured a steady stream of pilgrims on her saint's day, July 22. This tradition continues, and every year celebrations include a procession in which the relics are paraded around town. Magnificently restored, the church features a tympanum considered a masterpiece of Burgundian-style Romanesque architecture, grotesque carvings, sculpted capitals and an enormous nave. Behind the basilica is a park with wonderful views of the Cure River valley and nearby villages, while walks in almost any direction depict rural loveliness.