Fontenay Abbey and Flavigny

Follow the D971 and then the D905 northwest of Dijon for roughly 70 km, rolling through the hedgerows and limestone combes of the Auxois. Near Montbard, the Brionne valley leads to Fontenay Abbey, founded in 1118 by Saint Bernard, a rare intact Cistercian complex where you can still read the Romanesque plan—church, cloister, dormitory—and the 13th‑century water‑powered forge. Twelve kilometers farther, Flavigny‑sur‑Ozerain crowns a 421‑meter spur; aniseed candies are still made in the former Benedictine abbey, and several streets doubled as the set for the film “Chocolat.”

We keep it effortless: hotel pickup in Dijon, a Mercedes at your disposal all day, and a dedicated driver who matches your pace. While they handle the roads, you tour Fontenay’s church, chapter house, and forge, then wander Flavigny from the Porte du Val to the Carolingian crypt, with a tasting stop at the anise boutique. On request, swing by Alise‑Sainte‑Reine for Vercingetorix’s statue or pause along the D953 for views over the Ozerain valley; the chauffeur waits and fine‑tunes the route around your choices.