The History of Vincelles

Vincelles

Nestled on the peaceful banks of the Yonne, Vincelles is a charming village that combines nature, heritage, and the art of Burgundy living. Surrounded by renowned vineyards, it invites visitors to discover local flavors through tastings and picturesque walks. Its green setting, conducive to outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, or boating on the Nivernais Canal, makes it an ideal stop for lovers of nature and authenticity.

Welcome to Vincelles

Vincelles is situated between the Yonne River and the Nivernais Canal on one side, and the railway and the National Road 6 on the other. It derives its name from the Latin Vini-Cellae which means “wine cellar” due to its role as a place for loading and storing wines from Coulanges, located a few kilometers away.

The Saint-Roch Church

In the heart of the village, the Saint-Roch Church near the Town Hall was built in the 14th century and restored in 1765. Take a moment to stop in front of the monument to admire its gable facade, rhythmically adorned with an elegant portal with colonnettes and capitals sculpted with leaves of ivy, vine, and other creeping plants, receiving on each side the fall of the archivolts. Above, a small gallery surmounted by trilobed arches following the shape of the tympanum and a beautiful rose window with six lobes.

The Castle

Continue your walk along the water in the Rue de l’Yonne where you will find the washhouse of Vincelles built in 1867. Afterwards, take the Grande Rue which houses at its southern end the Château de Vincelles, in a 45-hectare wooded park. Built in 1775 by Edmé Germain Villetard, an officer in charge of the king’s stables and Mayor of Auxerre from 1790 to 1793, it also hosted Madame de Staël in 1806, exiled by Napoleon for her political ideas and writings over 40 leagues from Paris. From 1994, the former castle was renovated to serve as a medical-educational institute (IME) for adults and young people with disabilities.

The official coat of arms

The coat of arms of Vincelles, adopted in 2019, is full of historical symbols. The white and red border represents Burgundy, the black paddle wheels on a yellow background recall the two old watermills of the village, and the postilion’s hat symbolizes the horse relays. The yellow amphora evokes the transport and storage of wines, which are essential to the local economy, while the goose feather pays tribute to Madame de Staël.