Cycling from Montargis, France to Vezelay, France
Another fine day of Cycling in France!
The next hostel to the southeast was in Vezelay, not so long as the day before. I left town on the D163, then the
C1 south to
Amilly, riding the
D943 for a while along the Ouanne to St. Germaine-des-Pres. A very
enjoyable cruise along the C1 through Melleroy and
Fontenouilles, then the
D198 into Charny. An excellent yellow climbing
to the source of the Ouanne at the town of Ouanne and down again to
the Yonne on the D950. Being able to follow this same route for
62km sure simplified things and left time for a salade verte al fresco in
Toucy. The
divide between these two rivers offers a fine view from the heights of
Courson-le-Carrières (219m).
At Mailly-la-Château the D130 crosses the
Yonne and
then south on the D123 and by two
o'clock I was nearing Vezelay on the
second hot and sunny day. Now I could see the mini mountain on which the old town stood
and after a short, gradually steeper climb arrived at the vielle ville. This place has
absolutely no suburbs and dominates the rural fields of the area. It was the weekend and
many tourists about coming to see
the old cathedral. Three years ago I visited
Chartres to the west with Gabe and Vezelay reminded my a lot of that location, although
older and sandier and much less fixed up. It sits on the top of a big hill and has been a
destination of pilgrims for centuries.
It was mid afternoon and the
hostel was closed, so I had lunch at a restaurant in the place in front of the cathedral
and enjoyed the warm sun. Afterwards I went to the address of the hostel manager who
showed me the ancient building which was deserted. It seemed like an old school building
with huge washrooms, and no repas, but I had just eaten so it was time for a good rest.
72 miles today
Cycling in France from Montargis, France to
Vezelay, France
