Randonnée Gourmande de l'Yonne

The Randonnée Gourmande de l'Yonne, where walking and gastronomy meet

The Randonnée Gourmande de l'Yonne offers an original and festive experience: walking the trails of Auxerrois, with each stage punctuated by a tasting of local products. This formula, popularized by the Departmental Committee of FFRandonnée of the Yonne, combines the pleasures of nature walking and Burgundy cuisine in a convivial spirit.

Auxerrois, an exceptional terroir for a unique hike

The Auxerrois is one of Burgundy's most renowned northern vineyards. The clay-limestone slopes surrounding Auxerre produce white and red wines of great finesse: Irancy (the only AOC red wine from the Yonne), Bourgogne Côtes d'Auxerre, Coulanges-la-Vineuse, and Saint-Bris, the only Burgundy appellation authorized for Sauvignon. These vines, planted on sunny slopes, offer a spectacular landscape, dotted with troglodyte cellars, medieval wine villages, and breathtaking views of the Yonne valley.

A marked route between vineyards and villages

The hiking route follows marked vineyard paths and country lanes that wind through the villages of the Auxerrois. Hikers walk among the vines, pass through villages with rich architectural heritage—old cellars and presses, winegrowers' houses, Romanesque churches—and enjoy panoramic views of the slopes and the Yonne plain.

Gastronomy, the heart of the event

Throughout the route, tasting stations are set up at key locations, often at winegrowers' estates or in cellars opened for the occasion:

• Winegrower's aperitif: Bourgogne Côtes d'Auxerre white or red, Irancy, Saint-Bris, served directly by local producers from the cellar.
• Burgundy cheeses: Époisses, Soumaintrain, fresh goat cheese, farm cheeses from the Yonne, served with sourdough bread from local artisanal bakers.
• Cured meats and terrines: Burgundy ham with parsley, rillettes, pâtés with Chablis or Irancy, air-dried sausages.
• Hot dish: Often offered mid-route, a traditional Burgundy dish—Époisses tart, eggs in red wine sauce (œufs en meurette), chicken fricassee with cream.
• Desserts and sweets: Nonnettes and gingerbread from Sens, walnut cakes, seasonal fruit tarts, gougères from the Yonne.

The Departmental Committee FFRandonnée of the Yonne

The organization relies on the expertise of the Departmental Committee of the French Federation of Pedestrian Hiking of the Yonne, which maintains and marks the department's trails, certifies routes, and regularly organizes festive hiking events to showcase the local terroirs. The committee's volunteers ensure trail marking, safety, and participant reception.

A day of sharing and discovery

The Randonnée Gourmande de l'Yonne attracts hundreds of hikers each year from Auxerre, the Yonne department, and neighboring regions. The event is the perfect opportunity for beginners to discover the Auxerrois vineyards, for connoisseurs to meet their favorite winegrowers, and for everyone to spend a memorable day in an exceptional natural and heritage setting. Conviviality is the primary value of this hike, where conversations naturally flow over a glass of Burgundy or a gougère.