To the west of Avallon stands the great Basilica Ste Madeleine de Vézelay in the town of Vézelay. The town is built on a ridge and dominates the surrounding countryside.
In the Middle Ages, it was one of the many starting points for the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostella. On the eve of a Pilgrimage in 1120, more than 1,000 people perished in a tragic fire at the crowded church. Repairs were completed in 1215 but the building fell into disrepair as the number of pilgrims began to reduce. On the point of collapse, it was saved by the French architect Viollet-le-Duc in 1840, who restored the church to something of its former glory. The detour to visit the Basilica is well worth the effort.
For more tourist information and history, see Premier Pages (Wine Regions, Places of interest)