Discover Chablis: Wine Culture and History

Chablis is best explored through two themes: wine culture and historic heritage.

Experience Wine Culture in Museums

The Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne explores the history, heritage and wine culture of the Chablisien, Grand Auxerrois and Châtillonnais through an immersive, multisensory visitor route. Its contemporary building adjoins the historic Petit Pontigny complex. Its buildings, dating from the 15th to the 18th century, were former cellars of the monks of Pontigny Abbey. The Cité offers a visitor route, a wine bar and year-round activities. Some programs may change; check the details for your chosen date before visiting.

The Vinéa Passion Museum has a different focus: it presents the winemaking heritage of the Chablisien through the know-how and characteristic objects of viticulture and winemaking. On display are reconstructed soils from the wine-growing region, as well as tools used for planting vines, viticulture and frost protection. A visit concludes with a tasting of wines from the Ermitage Ste Vaubourg winery, or grape juice for those who do not drink alcohol. Tasting arrangements may change. While the Cité explores several named regions, Vinéa Passion focuses on soils, tools and winemaking practices.

Buildings with Different Histories

Chablis’ historic heritage includes the Obédiencerie, a building dating from the 15th to the 17th century that historically belonged to the chapter of canons of Tours. The Collégiale Saint-Martin was built in 1160 and rebuilt from the 1220s onward. The Church of Saint-Pierre is a Gothic building from the 12th and 13th centuries and was once the town’s only parish church. These buildings represent different periods in the town’s history; you can use their respective dates as a guide when choosing which ones to visit.

The Pressoir à abattage at the western entrance to the town also tells the story of winemaking. This old wine press is typical of the period from the 12th to the 16th century and is now visible to everyone. The Prieuré Saint-Cosme was built in the 12th century by Premonstratensian canons and was originally fortified and protected by moats.

Guided Tours and Wine Tastings

The Petit Train Touristique de Chablis offers a 45-minute narrated tour through the historic center and wine-growing region. The Balade commentée dans le vignoble de Chablis is a guided walk to the Colline des Grands Crus de Chablis and is available by reservation only. The two options therefore differ in duration and format; the walk explicitly requires a reservation as part of your planning. Operating and reservation details may change, so it is advisable to check before visiting.

For a wine tasting, Domaine Antoine et Laura Robin offers tastings of its cuvées with views of the Grands Crus. Opening hours and tasting arrangements may change. Together with the museum visits, these experiences offer different ways to explore wine culture: exhibitions on history, soils and tools, a narrated tour, a walk requiring a reservation, or a tasting. When planning, choose the themes that matter most for your stay in Chablis, then look for suitable hotels for your trip.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Auxerre, Ligny-Le-Châtel, Poilly-Sur-Serein, Saint-Sauveur-en-Puisaye, Saint-Bris-Le-Vineux, Rogny-Les-Sept-Écluses, Nitry, Charny.

For the regional travel overview: Yonne.