Vézelay

The Maison du Visiteur in Vézelay is an information center for the Basilica of Saint Mary Magdalene. Here you'll learn more about the Romanesque architecture, the iconography of the capitals and tympanum, and Vézelay's role as a pilgrimage site and starting point of the Way of St. James.Practical tip: Come here before visiting the Basilica; you'll then see the sculptures with fresh eyes. Check opening hours in advance.

The Basilica Sainte-Marie-Madeleine is a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture and, along with the Vézelay Hill, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979. In the Middle Ages, it was a significant pilgrimage destination, as relics of Mary Magdalene were venerated here, and it is the starting point of one of the four major Ways of St. James to Santiago de Compostela. The present building was constructed mainly in the 12th century; the choir is early Gothic.Inside, the bright nave with its two-toned transverse arches stands out. The capitals depict biblical scenes and mythical creatures. The tympanum of the main portal in the narthex, depicting the Sending Forth of the Apostles, is considered one of the most significant works of Romanesque sculpture. Relics of the saint are preserved in the crypt beneath the choir.Our tip: It's quieter early in the morning or late in the afternoon. From the terrace behind the basilica, a wide view opens up over the landscape.

La Roche Percée is a natural rock arch near Pierre-Perthuis, a few kilometers southeast of Vézelay in the Cure Valley. The place name means "pierced stone." Two bridges span the Cure nearby. A hiking trail leads here from Saint-Père through the valley.Our Tip: Combine the rock arch with a hike in the Cure Valley; it's especially quiet here early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

The Fontaines Salées are an archaeological site in Saint-Père on the left bank of the Cure, at the foot of Vézelay hill. Slightly saline springs emerge here. As early as around 2300 BC, people extracted salt by evaporation; wells made from hollowed-out oak trunks are preserved. During Roman times, a sanctuary with a thermal complex was built around the springs, whose foundations you can see today. In the 18th century, the springs were filled in to prevent salt smuggling, rediscovered in 1934.Our Tip: The site is open from April to early November; the ticket also includes admission to the archaeological museum in Saint-Père. A footpath leads down from Vézelay.