 | ||||||||
|
|
Varzy is in western Burgundy mid-way between Auxerre and Nevers and 40km south-west of Vézelay. The Nivernais canal, and its steady traffic of tourist barges, runs through Clamecy 16km away. There has been a village on this site since the fifth century, and the remains of medieval fortifications are still in evidence, including the Porte de Vézelay. The beautiful and imposing 13th century church of St Pierre, with its twin bell-towers, houses a number of treasures including a famous triptych of Ste Eugénie painted by a member of the Flemish school. Relics of St Regnobert, Bishop of Bayeux, and of Ste Eugénie were acquired from the collegiate church of Varzy when it was a staging post on the pilgrims' route to Santiago de Compostela. The parish church of St Pierre still remains a focal point of the village: the weekly market is held in the church square every Thursday. The local lords, in the 15th century, became Bishops of Auxerre and built a château in the village that was modified in the 17th century, and later in the 18th. The classical lodgings and polygonal tower survive. Other grand buildings include the 17th century Franciscan convent (now the Hôtel de l'Écu) and the Hôtel de Guitton while there is a charming wealth of architectural detail in the gates and doors of many of the old mansions. A roofed lavoir or washhouse is still in good repair as you can see in the photograph of the Fontaine de Ste Eugénie above. The local Museum is well known as housing one of the most important and delightful regional collections in France. Today the village has a population of about 1500 and has four cafés, four restaurants, a medical centre staffed with doctors and nurses, a dentist, a pharmacy, two bakeries, two supermarkets and a delicatessen-butcher. Encircling Varzy, following the line of the ancient wall, is a promenade where students from the local lycée have fashioned a striking memorial to the Holocaust. |
| Email: contactus@stayinafrenchcottage.com Telephone & Facsimile: +61 (3)9397 6008 Copyright © 2004 - 2009 Stay in a French Cottage. All rights reserved. |