The French House, is a large British-owned 4-bedroom house on the banks of the River Yonne, within a few kilometres of Auxerre, Chablis, Irancy, St Bris-le-Vineux and Clamecy.
We’ve visited the area several times in recent years, and it has many attractions - not only the easy access to good vineyards. Nearby the Canal du Nivernais connects the Yonne to Nevers (58 Nievre, Bourgogne) through some wonderful unspoilt and tranquil countryside - and even if your not a boating enthusiast, the towpaths provide access to countryside which is often inaccessibe by road.
The French House is at Vincelottes (89 Yonne, Burgundy - see map) just 12 kilometres south of Auxerre. Away from the bustle (and facilities) of Auxerre, Vincelottes is truly rural, surrounded by farms, orchard and vineyards. Within 15 minutes are vineyards with everything from honest “Grand Ordinaire de Bourgogne” to the finest Premier Cru Chablis. Personally I find the reds in this northern part of Burgundy a bit thin, but the whites including Chardonnays from Chablis and Sauvignons from St Bris.can be magnifique! There are also numerous restaurants (this is Burgundy after all!) and evocative villages replete with history. And it is all within 4 hours of Calais.
The Accommodation - the house has a large multi-purpose living room with a well-fitted kitchen (including dishwasher), a dining area which seats 10 people and a spacious lounge, English TV and radio are available and the room’s three windows overlook the river.
On the first floor are a bathroom and 4 bedrooms, three doubles with river view and a fourth twin-bedded room which faces the internal courtyard. Guests also have the use of a fully-fitted laundry room and garaging for 2 cars.
Terms are £500 pw. - or £250 per 3-day short break. The fee includes all services. bed linen and towels. Changeover day is Friday, but can be adjusted by arrangement.
Recommended vineyards include Jean-Marc Brocard at Chablis and Domaine Felix at St Bris-le-Vineux.
For more info on te French House see
Contact the owners, Jill Tounsend (jtounsend@aol.com) T: 01455 292298
The Yorkshire Dales is one of the most beautiful regions of the UK (I used to live there) - such a large rural area is not over-populated with too many good specialist wine merchants. TheAngel Inn at Hetton is a favourite Bar, Brasserie and Restaurant with rooms in the heart of the Dales, and its offshoot The Wine Cave is an online Burgundy specialist.
