Heritage homes

Buying a property near one of France’s unique sites recognised by UNESCO can come with a wealth of benefits, finds Hannah Evans

- Hannah Evans

Perched on a grassy hill in the largely rural department of Yonne, part of the Bourgogne Franche-Comté region, Vézelay is an archetypal small French town. Ancient stone houses line narrow streets and residents benefit from a post office, pharmacy, and a few restaurants and cafés, as well as a highly rated glacerie. The commune is situated in the outskirts of the Parc Naturel Régional du Morvan where popular activities include rambling and fishing, while the nearest Carrefour is a half-hour drive away in the larger town of Clamecy, perfectly manageable for a weekly shop.

In many ways Vézelay would be considered a pretty but small place, were it not for the huge abbey which sits at its centre, and which places the town among the most prestigious sites in France.

The Benedictine Basilica of Saint Magdalene, one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture in the world, was given UNESCO World Heritage status in 1979, meaning that while Vézelay remains a relatively quiet and peaceful place to live, there is a steady stream of tourists year-round who come to visit the abbey, often in pilgrimage. It is also the reason why there are a number of thriving B&Bs and guesthouses in the vicinity, and why the few local restaurants are never short of business. This is an example of the UNESCO effect, currently enjoyed by 44 unique sites across France.

THE LIST

UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) first introduced the ‘Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage’ in 1972, effective from 1975. The first French additions to the list, in 1979, were Chartres Cathedral, Mont St-Michel, Versailles, and of course Vézelay, all recognised for their high cultural significance.