A pretty cottage near Vézelay in Burgundy

A delightful cottage built in 1860 on wooded slopes is the perfect place to relax in the peace of the Burgundy countryside, far from noisy roads yet near the forest. Vezelay is less than 20 minutes away and medieval Clamecy is even closer. In the heat of summer the cottage is cool inside, while it is warm and snug in winter with central heating, a wood fire and a good supply of logs. The beautiful Canal du Nivernais with its long towpaths is only 2km away, an easy bike ride along the valley. Les Rossignols (The Nightingales) is well named as from mid April to early June you can hear these songbirds at almost any hour. You might be lucky enough to see deer in the garden or the next field and pheasants often visit. In the evening you can enjoy the warmth from the brasero on the terrace or even use it as a barbecue. I am usually available most of the time as I live only 3km away. There's an excellent coffee shop 'Au Fil de l'Eau next to the bridge over the Beuvron in Clamecy. Clamecy is beautiful, an artist's delight, and well worth a visit. Chatel Censoir has quaint little paths and alleyways with great views from the hill near the church. The cafe in the square always offers a warm welcome and is a favourite spot for locals and tourists. Chatel is an enjoyable bike ride through the forest from Les Rossignols, returning along the canal. Lucy sur Yonne is famous for its modern stained glass church windows by Luc Simon. Vezelay and its basilique are beautiful. There is a wide choice of very good restaurants and the prices are reasonable. A car is essential as there is no public transport other than the train which passes along the valley of the Yonne from Auxerre, though this is often replaced by a bus. There are stations at Chatel Censoir, Coulanges sur Yonne and Clamecy. The supermarket in Coulanges is open 7 days a week and Clamecy has Leclerc and Auchan supermarkets. You can find organic products in la Rue de la Monnaie in Clamecy while in Lucy sur Yonne there is an organic farm as well as an organic bakery where bread is baked in an ancient stone oven. Chatel Censoir has a market on Thursday morning and in Clamecy the market is on Saturday. Only 20 minutes from Vezelay and on the edge of the Parc National du Morvan, there is so much to see and do in the area. Ride a bike along the Canal du Nivernais, stop for coffee in Chatel Censoir, then on to watch the tightrope walkers at Les Rochers des Saussois, a little later enjoy lunch at the bistro at L'Ecluse des Dames. You can hire canoes at Saint Pere for an amazing guided trip along the Cure, passing the pretty little church perched above the gorge and ancient bridge at Pierre Perthuis. Then there are the cave paintings at Les Grottes d'Arcy, a chateau under construction at Guedelon, taste the Cremant at Les Caves de Bailly near Auxerre, visit Irancy and Chablis, go back in time in the walled town of Noyers, not forgetting Avallon and the magic of the forests and hills of the Morvan...