Serein
# Serein

The Serein (French pronunciation: (listen)) is a river of eastern France. It is the main waterway of the Chablis wine district in Burgundy. It is 188 km (117 mi) long. The Serein is not navigable.

## Origin of the name

Serein is the French word for "serene". This may reflect the placid nature of its course, or the strong monastic tradition in the area.

## Geography

The Serein rises in the Auxois hills at Arconcey and flows north-north-west into the Yonne at Bassou. Both the A6 Autoroute du Soleil and the Paris-Lyon railway line follow a similar route through the area.

### Main tributaries of the Serein and their length

The Serein has the following tributaries over 10 km length:

* Baigne (L) - 14 km
* Soutain (L) - 13 km
* Argentalet (L) - 26 km
* Ru du Champ Millet (R) - 10 km
* Ru de Vaucharme (L) - 16 km

note: R=Right L=Left

### Départements and towns crossed

From source to mouth:

* Côte-d'Or: Arconcey, La Motte-Ternant, Époisses
* Yonne: Montréal, L'Isle-sur-Serein, Noyers, Chablis, Pontigny Abbey, Bassou

## History

The history of the area is dominated by the Church at Pontigny and nearby Auxerre, whose remit extended to building the famous castle at Noyers.

