Burgundy wouldn’t be Burgundy without wine!
Who does not know Chablis? The vineyards of Chablis is 30 minutes-drive from Châtel-Censoir. Many producers are settled in the village. But it’s worth to visit many other places in Auxerrois vineyard territor: Irancy, Coulanges, Saint-Bris, Chitry, etc. http://www.vins-bourgogne.fr/
One of our very favorite: the Borgnat wine growing estate at Escolives Sainte Camille (27 km from Chatel-Censoir). Owners Eglantine, and Benjamin produce a very best value wine appellation “Coulanges-la-Vineuse”. Actually, one of their bottles awaits your arrival in our cottage (white dry Chardonnay)! Tasting and sales area at estate. Do not hesitate to come from us. http://www.domaineborgnat.com/
From Escolives you may drive to Chablis throughout Irancy Village.
http://www.irancy.org/
http://www.chablis.fr/
A tradition in Burgundy: “St. Vincent rotating Festival”
Brotherhoods of Saint Vincent are the source of community-based organizations promoting solidarity and mutual aid. The first one appeared in Burgundy in the eighteenth century and movement spread in Burgundy in the nineteenth. Thus winemakers pool their time and tools and act as a social insurance helping a sick or injured colleague to work its neighboring vineyards and making wine…
This self-help philosophy continues today. Celebrated on January 22nd, “Saint Vincent” is the patron saint of winemakers and is the symbol of solidarity among them. The Brotherhood of “Tastevin Knights” has created in 1938 the first “Saint Vincent rotating festival” to honor the patron saint and share conviviality. “Rotating” as festival is organized in a different Burgundy village every year!
Of course, outside of Chablis and Auxerrois vineyard territory, everything is possible from the south of Burgundy with the great wines of the “Côte d’Or” (Côtes de Nuits and Côte de Beaune), “Maconnais” and “Côte Chalonnaise” to the gates of Beaujolais for the brave. You can also decide to break your love affair with Burgundy and taste Loire River wines: Sancerre is 90 km from Châtel-Censoir, and a half hour drive from Charité sur Loire (see above).
http://www.vins-sancerre.com/
http://www.tourisme-sancerre.com/
Cheeses
One of the best old favorites : “Chaource”, “Soumaintrain”, “Brillat-Savarin”, “Epoisses”…
Focus on Epoisses: a 50 km ride from Châtel-Censoir that may include a stop to the village of Montreal to visit a genuine cheese factory.
http://www.fromage-epoisses.com/
http://www.fromagerie-berthaut.com/
Burgundy cheeses closed to Châtel-Censoir: “dôme de Vézelay”, “Vermenton”.
Restaurants and gastronomy
Enjoy unforgettable flavors and tastes experiences in a territory with a longstanding history in the art of cooking. A moment of culinary exception in a beautiful setting: “L’Espérance” restaurant from Michelin awarded chef Marc Meneau at Saint-Pères-sous-Vézelay (17 km from Châtel-Censoir). http://www.marc-meneau-esperance.com/fr/restaurant-vezelay-site-officiel.php
For cook amateurs: our cottage is fully equipped with cooking stuff and cookbooks.