France: Let’s Explore Chablis, Burgundy — An introduction
Let’s explore Chablis
Chablis is a town in the northern part of Burgundy, France. It is known for its world-renowned white wines, which are made from Chardonnay grapes grown in the surrounding vineyards.
The town of Chablis is small, with a population of around 2,500 people. It is in a picturesque setting surrounded by rolling hills and vineyards, and the Serein River runs through the town.
The Chablis Streets
The town is known for its quaint medieval architecture, with narrow streets lined with half-timbered houses and shops selling local products such as cheese, honey, and wine.
On a walk through the town, most parts are narrow, but pleasant. On one side of the town is the Serein river:
There are three bridges that cross the Serein river in Chablis, but this one is the main bridge (the others are on the outskirts of the town):
The Chablis Buildings
The Chablis town center is charming, with narrow streets lined with old stone buildings. It is also home to a few small museums, including the Maison des Vins de Chablis, which showcases the history and production of Chablis wine.
Saint-Martin Church
One of the most notable landmarks in Chablis is the 13th-century Church of Saint-Martin, which features beautiful stained glass windows and a 16th-century organ.
Saint-Martin church on Google Maps
Synagogue
One of the more notable religious buildings can be found in a very narrow street called “street of the Jews”:
A small statue of a person dressed in the way they dressed in the Middle East 2000 years ago can be found above the street name. A few meters further you will find this:
Synagogue of Chablis on Google Maps
The Chablis Shops
There is one main shopping street in the town. There are several restaurants and cafes, many of which offer tastings of the local wines. The street is quite long, and you’ll find a shop or two on a sidestreet.
Windows and Doors
Here are a few of the windows and doors you can encounter when walking through the town of Chablis:
The Chateau in Chablis
There is one main castle (Chateau) in town, which belongs to one of the Chablis wineries. The wine brand is “Domaine Laroche – L’Obediencerie“. The castle lies next to the Saint-martin church, and it can be visited as part of a tour (more on that below):
To visit the chateau, you go to their wine-tasting shop on the Chablis main street. There, they start the tour with some wine history and production details, and some wine tasting. From there, you walk to the castle (3 minutes walk), and tour the castle.
Domaine Laroche shop on Google Maps
Outside of the town, visitors can explore the surrounding vineyards, which produce some of the most highly-regarded white wines in the world. Several wine estates in the area offer tastings and tours.
Conclusion
Overall, Chablis is a beautiful and tranquil destination that is perfect for wine lovers and those seeking a peaceful retreat in the French countryside. It’s a nice place, worthy of a slight detour to walk the old city, take in a few wine tastings, visit a castle, and even have a nice meal here.
Have you been to Chablis? Please share your experiences below in the comments
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About the Contributor
Mike Werner
