9 - Underestimated art in Vézelay

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On top of a steep hill in the region of Burgundy and facing the Natural Park of Morvan, the village of Vézelay is a great little stop-over on the way to visiting the Saint Madeleine basilica.

A masterpiece of Romanesque art, the village was restored in the 19th century and is becoming a draw for pilgrims on their way to Saint Madeleine and also acts as a starting point to the Compostela pilgrimage route. There is a small museum dedicated to tracing the basilica's origins through various pictures and models. The museum also explains the importance of craftspeople and monk-builders during its construction.

Although rich in architecture, Vézelay has more to offer in terms of culture; the Zervos museum houses a diverse collection of modern art. The village inherited the collection, which belonged to the revered art critic and founder of iconic French publication, Les Cahiers de l'Art, Christian Zervos. The collection comprises works by Picasso, Giacometti and Kandinsky, to name but a few of the high-profile artists showcased here.

Last but not least, although there are few wineries in the actual village, with it being located in the Burgundy region, otherwise known as one of the best wine producing regions in the country, the locals will be all too happy to have a new face to raise a glass (or two) with!

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