Low Bridge, Everybody Down: Barging in Europe: Auxerre, Bailly and Irancy, France

Auxerre which has received the classification of a protected Historic Town in France is beautiful. The skyline of Auxerre is punctuated by the Cathedral St Etienne of gothic style as well as three churches.

Auxerre

I love visiting old cemeteries and crypts whenever the opportunity arises. In Auxerre we visited the Abbey of St Germaine which is known for its frescoes found in the crypt dating from the 9th century. These 1000 year old fresco's are the oldest known church frescoes in France.

Fresco found in the crypt

Part of the crypt of Abbey of St Germain

More of the ceiling

The architecture of the crypt is beautiful.

Another treat for us is being able to attend concerts held in churches. The acoustics are always fantastic. In Auxerre we attended an organ concert.

These organ pipes are a modern addition

Auxerre is much more than churches and it's crypt. Walking around the town we found delightful sculptures.

Auxerre has well preserved timbered buildings.

There were amazing bakeries

View of the cathedral from across the Yonne River

Night view from Rabelo

The town is beautifully lit up at night. View from the bridge.

From a cruising point of view we were concerned that we had reached the end of the Yonne River because of our size. According to the charts we wouldn't be able to fit under the Pont Paul Bert. We measured, remeasured, and checked it even again. Kevin was positive we could fit under the bridge and continue along the Yonne River. We made it!

Going under the Pont Paul Bert

Captain Kevin had us tie up in Bailly. There wasn't much there except Bailly Lapierre Winery which we walked to from the canal! It was an amazing treat! The winery is completely underground. Even the parking is underground. It started as a quarry in 1186 when the stone was used for building the Pantheon, Notre Dame Cathedral and much more. From 1927 to 1970 the caverns were used to grow mushrooms. In 1972 it was turned into a winery. This place is so large it can hold up to 9 million bottles. We bought a case of their cremant which is a lovely sparkling wine.

Underground entrance to Bailly Lapierre Winery

Aging bottles

We were told to stand back from the giant stacks of bottles. Occasionally a bottle will explode pushing other bottles out of place.

There were statues throughout the winery

We are enjoying meeting fellow cruisers.

These new friends rowed over from their boat to have dinner on board Rabelo

Not all wineries are fancy. Some are small businesses where they sell right in the middle of their working area. This winery in Irancy grows a grape called Cesar as in Julius Cesar which we had never heard of before. Up to 10% of the Cesar grape can be added to the other grapes. There was a long line of people waiting to sample and purchase this wine.