Things to do in Semur-en-Auxois for self travelers

This self-driving audio tour explores northern Burgundy through medieval villages, monastic history, canal landscapes, and wine culture. It will appeal to travelers who love French heritage, scenic countryside, and the stories behind celebrated regional food and wine. The route begins in Flavigny-sur-Ozerain, one of Burgundy’s most atmospheric hilltop villages, then continues to the UNESCO-listed Fontenay Abbey, founded in 1118 and remarkably well preserved. From there, you travel on to Château de Montbard and follow the canal through stretches of peaceful wildlife and barge country before reaching the elegant Château d'Ancy-le-Franc and the village of Ancy-le-Franc. The journey then leads deeper into the Burgundy countryside, past locks and local river life, before arriving in Chablis for Domaine Servin and the Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne. A final detour to Noyers adds another beautifully preserved medieval setting. The tour ends with the pleasures of Burgundy’s culinary tradition, echoing the region’s deep link between landscape, wine, and table. Along the way, the most memorable experiences include walking ancient village lanes, discovering the serene stone architecture of a Cistercian abbey, admiring Renaissance château interiors and gardens, watching canal life unfold, and savoring the rich atmosphere of Burgundy’s vineyards and gastronomy.