Vézelay, France
Vézelay is a small town in the Yonne département in the Bourgogne région of France. It is a hilltop town which perhaps is the reason why it is famous historically. Vézelay is a very picturesque town, like so many in rural France. However it is noted for one main feature, the Vézelay Abbey (known as Basilique Sainte-Marie-Madeleine). According to legend a monk brought here the relics of Mary Magdalene (although apparently them on soon after). For this reason there has been great interest in the area ever since the 10th Century. Even today it is a major starting point for pilgrims on the Way of St. James to Santiago de Compostela.
The Abbey itself is a wondrous example of Romanesque art and architecture. It was built with the location of the sun in mind and plays with light, during the summer solstice, to depict signs. The stone decoration both inside and outside is highly detailed. Unfortunately a lot of the exterior decoration was defaced during the French Revolution to remove the heads of dignitaries (seen below in Auxerre), like so many churches around the country.
However the detail is still strong enough to depict the story of the crusades (unusual as the standard is to show the second coming of Christ). Inside each pillar of the Abbey has a story carved depicting the stories of the bible. The Abbey is a fascinating example of architecture from the C10th and is a well deserved World Heritage Site.