Here under Vezelay, you will find travel information about Vezelay, as well as general information.
A medieval hilltop village half-way between Burgundy and Paris, Vezelay is very popular with tourists.
The Basilica St Magdalen is set on a hill at the top of the village of Vezelay. The present basilica, one of the most beautiful in France, is partly Romanesque and has a vast, luminous nave with splendid statues. It was built in homage to St Magdalen whose relics are kept here. The façade, dating from 1150, is in pure Romanesque style, dominated by a high bell-tower, rebuilt by Viollet-le-Duc.
In the fine narthex, which appears like a first church with its mighty pillars, is situated the masterly tympanum of the central doorway where Christ sits enthroned in majesty. It is one of the most famous of the Romanesque period. The capitals of the nave are also particularly interesting. With a rarely equalled perfection, 12C sculpture triumphs here. The church mainly dates from this period but was finished in 1215 in Romanesque-Gothic style. In the late 13C, the discovery of other relics of St Magdalen in St Maximin in Provence, confirmed by a Papal Bull, cast troubled water in people's minds: pilgrimages grew rarer, fairs and markets lost their importance and the basilica was forsaken.
The Promenade des Fossés follows the trace of the old ramparts which encircled the town in the Middle Ages which then had a series of seven round towers. The Porte Neuve (a gateway built from the 14 to the 16C) is flanked by two roughwork, machicolated towers. The Porte Ste-Croix (Holy Cross Gateway) commemorates the time when St Bernard preached about the 2nd crusade; a cross also commemorates this event. The promenade ends on the castle terrace.
One of the most amazing culinary experiences you may have in France is a meal at the Hotel Restaurant l'Esperance, a five star luxury establishment in St Pere, next to Vezelay. Do not miss it if you can afford it!
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