Flower market in Bassou, wine fair in Joigny, contemporary concerts in Tonnerre and Avallon: six events to anchor a long weekend in Burgundy's Yonne department.
Three days off in the heart of Burgundian spring is the perfect window to explore Yonne from north to south. Why go? Because from Friday 8 to Sunday 10 May 2026, the department lines up a varied bill: a riverside flower market, a wine fair gathering Joigny growers, a young music festival under a listed covered market in Tonnerre.
Add open-air concerts at the foot of Avallon's medieval ramparts, plus two rural cultural seasons unfolding across the Pays d'Othe and the Puisaye. Here are six ideas to build a tailor-made weekend, from Burgundy vineyards to the deepest Yonne countryside.
Bassou Flower Market — a 8 May tradition by the Yonne river
The weekend kicks off on Friday 8 May in Bassou, a small village tucked along the Yonne between Auxerre and Joigny. For this public holiday, the village rolls out its long-standing Flower Market, a fixed appointment that locals from the Senonais and the Auxerrois put back on the calendar year after year.
Plant nurseries, florists and local craftspeople set up their stalls in the village centre. Ornamental plants, vegetable seedlings ready to plant out, cut flowers, handmade items: it is the right moment to fill the boot for the season ahead. Burgundy snail tastings, family-friendly entertainment and a country-fair atmosphere round out the picture. Free entry. See the festival page.
Joigny Wine Fair — two days around the Coteaux de Joigny
Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 May, head for Joigny and the annual Wine Fair. The town hall square turns into a showcase for the local vineyard: growers from the Coteaux de Joigny appellation present their cuvees alongside Burgundy regional produce.
Tastings are free and held directly with the producers, which is a good way to discuss recent vintages and the singularities of the Cote Saint-Jacques wines, planted on the slopes above town. Regional specialities and friendly entertainment make this an easy stop between a walk past the half-timbered houses and a stroll along the Yonne. Open access. See the festival page.
Festival Cohue in Tonnerre — opening the season under the listed market hall
In Tonnerre, Festival Cohue opens its season on Wednesday 6 May and runs through to October. The first date of the weekend offers a chance to discover the identity of this young festival, born in 2025 thanks to the Stoncca Live association.
The setting alone is worth the trip: the Covered Market, a 1903 metal hall listed for industrial heritage, hosts each concert in an unusual volume right in the town centre, a stone's throw from the Fosse Dionne spring.
The 2026 lineup mixes French songwriting, pop and sacred music, with a clear stance: a handful of exclusive evenings rather than a continuous schedule. Lovers of unusual venues and intimate formats will find plenty to enjoy. Flat rate of 35 euros per concert, with reductions for under-26s and members. See the festival page.
Les Terrasses du Bel-Air in Avallon — rampart-side concerts, free entry
Further south, Avallon launches its Terrasses du Bel-Air season on 14 March, running until late October. At the foot of the medieval ramparts, free concerts follow one another in a rare urban green setting.
Jazz, tango, Celtic music, world music, French songwriting: the programme casts a wide net from one evening to the next. The pay-what-you-can format makes it especially accessible for families and passing walkers. For travellers heading between the Morvan and the Chablis vineyards, it is a natural open-air stop before continuing the journey. See the festival page.
Musique en Othe in Cerisiers — concert season at the heart of the Pays d'Othe
The Musique en Othe association has been driving the cultural life of Cerisiers and the Pays d'Othe since 2001, with a season of around five concerts running from October to June. The village hall hosts jazz, world music, choral singing, piano-bar nights and themed musical shows, with a strong focus on accessibility: gentle prices, programmes designed for children, friendly introductions to each instrument.
This is the pick if you are staying in the north of Yonne and looking for a low-key outing, in a frankly village-like atmosphere. Around 10 euros per concert for adults, 5 euros for 12-17 year olds, free for under-12s. See the festival page.
AGADOP in Charny Oree-de-Puisaye — the cultural calendar of inner Puisaye
Head for the Puisaye to round off the tour. AGADOP (Friends of the Tithe Barn of Oree de Puisaye) programmes theatre shows, concerts, readings and events every month across the Charny Oree-de-Puisaye area. Street theatre, contemporary circus, puppetry: the association takes on the challenge of bringing the performing arts to a rural area far from the main cultural venues.
For this weekend, it is best to check the current schedule directly with the association, as dates are set month by month. A useful angle for travellers seeking a local rather than touristic experience, off the beaten paths. See the festival page.
To sum up
What to take away? Six addresses, four disciplines, one single region. May 8 in Bassou for the flowers, 9 and 10 in Joigny for the wine, concerts in Tonnerre and Avallon, and two rural seasons running in the background across the Pays d'Othe and the Puisaye. Plenty to fill three days without circling back, alternating villages, vineyards and heritage. To dig deeper, browse all festivals in Yonne.
