Chablis

What is there to discover in Chablis ?

The wine route, discovering the terroir and the vineyards, visiting cellars, tasting sessions, eco-museums and permanent exhibitions, cookery and wine appreciation lessons, flower-arranging workshops…the people of Chablis will always want to welcome you to Chablis and share their region with you.

Heritage, nature, gastronomy: three different ways of discovering the wealth of the Chablis region.

Heritage:

Discover the heritage of the village of Chablis. Before starting your visit or your picnic, visit the Aire des Clos. It offers a splendid view over the village and its vineyards.

Collegiate church
Today the church is locked in a network of charming little streets, a relic of the former Canons area. The church was built throughout the XIII century, in the Gothic style, inspired by the cathedral of Sens. In 1568 it was ransacked by the Protestants before falling victim to a great fire at the beginning of the 17th Century; it was restored in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The Obédiencerie
Situated right beside the collegiate church, during the 15th and and 18th XVIII centuries this was the headquarters of the Obédiencier, the manager of Chablis’ relics of the Saint Martin de Tours abbey. Here you will see an extraordinary old wine press.

Saint Pierre de Chablis church
Built in the heart of the cemetery, the church of Saint Pierre, a beautiful 12th and 13th and XIII century Gothic building, was once the home of the only parish of the town; it was renovated in the 18th Century (the façade of the bell tower was reconstructed) but mutilated during the French Revolution (chancel demolished).

The Hôtel-Dieu
This old hospital dates back to the Middle Ages. It was served by the Saint Esprit hospital workers.
The chapel, just like the Hospices de Beaune, was an extension of the ward, allowing the patients to attend mass.

Le Petit Pontigny
This complex is made up of superb 15th and 18th century buildings. From the 12th century it was the Chablis cellar of the Cistercian monks of the renowned Pontigny Abbey nearby. Here you will see a monumental old wine press.

Hôtel Gras
This is the former private residence of General Gras, the inventor of the Gras rifle. Today this building is home to the Burgundy Wine Board (BIVB).

Saint Cosme Priory
Built in the 12th century by the Premonstratensian Canons, it was originally fortified and protected by a moat. It was here that, on her way to Chinon from Vaucouleurs, Joan of Arc is said to have spent a night in February 1429.

If you take a walk you will also discover the interesting civil heritage of the 16th to 19th centuries, with old timber-framed houses and cut stone private residences.

Nature:

In Chablis the undulating countryside of vineyards and forests provides an excellent playing field for hikers, ramblers and cyclists. The Chablis region has seven distinct hiking circuits, ranging from 8 km to 33 km.
- Sentier des Grands Crus
- Sentier de la Croix-Duché
- Sentier des Gueux
- Sentier des Clos
- Sentier du Moulin des Roches
- Sentier "Par Monts et Vallées"

Gastronomy:

Alongside wines, Chablis is also the home of excellent local dishes, which are a perfect accompaniment to its wines.

Chablis andouillette:
Andouillette is an integral part of Chablis’ gastronomic heritage. Made from pork intestines into a sausage, it has a soft texture and a spicy flavour.

Chablis ham:
It was Charles Bergerand, a pillar of local gastronomy and the former owner of the Hotel de l’Etoile during the first half of the 20th century, who invented this recipe for hot ham in the “Chablis style”. He cooked an entire ham on the bone in Chablis wine and seasoning.

Duché biscuit:
This sweet, dry, fairly hard biscuit was invented in the 1820s by Mr Duché. It has the advantage of not making crumbs and goes perfectly with Chablis.

The Pilier de Chablis:
White chocolates filled with a praline ganache and grapes soaked in Marc de Bourgogne.

The Chablisien:
The Chablisien is a cake with a biscuit base covered in a layer of hazelnut meringue, and a praline chocolate cream sprinkled with grapes soaked in ratafia and covered with biscuit.

Credits : bigyouth

Photo copyrights: All the photos on the site are property of their creators and being used thanks to their very kind authorization.
(JL. BERNURY, E. DE BLAY, A. DROUIN D GADENNE J. GESVRES D. GILLET , M. JOLY H. MONNIER JP MUZARD, Image & Associés DR)