Burgundy Travel Guide

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At the very heart of the country, Burgundy is one of France’s most prosperous regions. Its peaceful way of life, celebrated wine, delicous food and numerous outdoor activities all combine to make this region the ideal place to discover and appreciate la vie française . Wine is, of course, the region’s most obvious attraction, and devotees head straight for the great vineyards, whose produce has played the key role in the local economy since Louis XIV’s doctor prescribed wine as a palliative for the royal dyspepsia. Wine tasting is particularly big business around Chablis, Mâcon and Beaune.

The Canal de Bourgogne

Château living, the food of burgundy, the côte d’or, the saône valley, getting to the maconnais, things to do in the maconnais, the wines of burgundy.

For centuries Burgundy’s powerful dukes remained independent of the French crown, and during the Hundred Years' War they even sided with the English, selling them the captured Joan of Arc. By the fifteenth century their power extended over all of Franche-Comté, Alsace and Lorraine, Belgium, Holland, Picardy and Flanders, and their state was the best-organized and richest in Europe. Burgundy finally fell to the French kings when Duke Charles le Téméraire (the Bold) was killed besieging Nancy in 1477.

There’s evidence everywhere of this former wealth and power, both secular and religious: the dukes’ capital of Dijon , the great abbeys of Vézelay and Fontenay , the ruins of the monastery of Cluny (whose abbots’ influence was second only to the pope’s), and a large number of imposing châteaux. During the Middle Ages, Burgundy – along with Poitou and Provence – became one of the great church-building areas in France. Practically every village has its Romanesque church, especially in the country around Cluny and Paray-le-Monial , and where the Catholic Church built, so had the Romans before, with their legacy visible in the substantial Roman remains at Autun . There’s more history on show at Alésia , the scene of Julius Caesar’s epic victory over the Gauls in 52 BC.

Between bouts of gastronomic indulgence, you can engage in some moderate activity: for walkers there’s a wide range of hikes, from gentle walks in the Côte d’Or to relatively demanding treks in the Parc Régional du Morvan.

Thinking about a French holiday? Start planning your trip by finding out how to get there .

Travel ideas for France, created by local experts

An active walking tour out of the way in France

An active walking tour out of the way in France

Your trip starts with an in-depth introduction to France in Paris: several unique day excursions connect you with local Parisians to show you their city and way of life. Afterwards continue south to start a few days walking journey through Southern France before ending around Avignon.

Southern France – Walks in the Alpilles and Lavender fields

Southern France – Walks in the Alpilles and Lavender fields

Start your tour in the coastal city of Marseille, exploring Cassis on the way. Around the Alpilles in Provence, you will be provided with detailed walking materials to explore the area on foot, from both Les Baux and St Remy. End your tour in famous Avignon.

Tasting Eastern France

Tasting Eastern France

A delicious yet active journey through Eastern France. Start your trip in Lyon with some unique food tours before setting off on a 4-day walk across the Beaujolais region. Almost every day ends with a wine tasting in your guesthouse, soothing for body and soul.

Taste of Three - Belgium, France and Switzerland

Taste of Three - Belgium, France and Switzerland

Start your journey in Belgium and explore Brussels, Ghent and Bruges. A high-speed train will then take you to Strasbourg, from where you'll discover the Alsace. Proceed to Basel as your base, from where you'll see plenty of Switzerland: Zermatt, Matterhorn, Mount Pilatus and much more.

Most travellers to Burgundy arrive in Auxerre , the chief population and industrial centre in the north of Burgundy – and with good reason. A very pretty and historic town of narrow lanes and lovely open squares, it looks its best from Pont Paul-Bert over the river Yonne and the riverside quays. From here you get a lovely view of moored houseboats and barges, with churches soaring dramatically and harmoniously above the surrounding rooftops. To enjoy some local colour, and pick up some local produce, try the market in place de l’Arquebuse (Tues & Fri morning).

The most interesting of Auxerre’s many churches is the airy, light abbey church of St-Germain , famous for its ten-ribbed vaults, containing three of only five in existence worldwide. The monks’ former dormitories, around a classical cloister, now house a historical and archeological museum , but the real highlight is the crypt where the tomb of St Germain, fourth bishop of Auxerre (378–448), was the epicentre of the bishops’ burial catacombs. The tomb is empty – St Germain’s remains were used for various reliquaries and what was left was desecrated by Huguenots in 1567. The crypt is one of the few surviving examples of Carolingian architecture, with its plain barrel vaults still resting on their thousand-year-old oak beams. Its wonderfully vivid and expressive ochre frescoes are the oldest in France, dating back to around 850 AD.

East of Joigny, and, conveniently close to the TGV stop of Laroche-Migennes, the Canal de Bourgogne branches off to the north of the River Yonne southeast towards Dijon. Along or close to the canal are several places of interest: the beautiful town of Tonnere , the Renaissance châteaux of Tanlay and Ancy-le-Franc , the Abbaye de Fontenay , and the site of Julius Caesar’s victory over the Gauls at Alésia . Just east of the canal, perched above the River Armançon, lies the picturesque town of Semur-en-Auxois . Further east the Canal encompasses the upper reaches of the River Seine: at Châtillon-sur-Seine is the famous Celtic Treasure of Vix .

Abbaye de Fontenay

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Abbaye de Fontenay is the biggest draw in the area. Founded in 1118, it’s the only Burgundian monastery to survive intact, despite conversion to a paper mill in the early nineteenth century. It was restored in the early 1900s to its original form, while the gardens were re-landscaped in 2008 in full harmony with its Romanesque structure. It is one of the world’s most complete monastic complexes, including a caretaker’s lodge, guesthouse and chapel, dormitory, hospital, prison, bakery, kennels and abbot’s house, as well as a church, cloister, chapterhouse and even a forge.

A few kilometres south of Montbard, on Mont Auxois, above the village of Alise-Ste-Reine is Alésia (closed Dec & Jan). It was here in 52 BC that the Gauls, united under the leadership of Vercingétorix, made their last stand against the military might of Rome. Julius Caesar himself commanded the Roman army, which surrounded the final Gallic stronghold and starved the Gauls out, bloodily defeating all attempts at escape. Vercingétorix surrendered to save his people, was imprisoned in Rome for six years until Caesar’s formal triumph, and then strangled. The battle was a fundamental turning point in the fortunes of the region, as Gaul remained under Roman rule for four hundred years. The modern Muséoparc d’Alésia brings the battle of Alésia to life with a visitor centre, a museum and a multimedia exhibition about Gallo-Roman life. You can also visit excavations, including the theatre and a Gallo-Roman house.

Chevalier d’Éon: the cross-dressing diplomat

Tonnerre’s quirkiest claim to fame is that it was the birthplace of the great eighteenth-century cross-dresser, Chevalier d’Éon . Born in the Hôtel d’Uzès in 1728, still the most magnificent structure in Tonnerre, d’Éon went about his important diplomatic missions for King Louis XV dressed in women’s clothes. He fell out with the king, however, and, when he was in exile in London, wore a (male) dragoon’s uniform – yet still bookmakers took bets on his sex. When Louis XVI ascended to the throne he allowed d’Éon to return to France – but exiled in Tonnerre – and also recognized his claim to be a woman and to dress as such. After the Revolution, Chevalier d’Éon slowly slid into debt, and died penniless in London in 1810. An autopsy determined that he was undoubtedly a man. A museum in Tonnerre, at the Hôtel Chevalier d’Eon, 22 rue de Pont, features much of his correspondence as well as his lavish silk dresses and other personal effects.

On the Paris–Sens–Dijon TGV train route, Tonnere is a great base for exploring this corner of the region, and far cheaper than Chablis, just 18km away. Although not as prosperous as its world-renowned neighbour, it is much prettier, since it was not bombed during the war – unlike Chablis – and it has several sights well worth a look. Another string to its bow is the local golden, fruity Chardonnay – the newest appellation contrôlée in Burgundy, recognized in 2006. Tonnerre is also an excellent starting point for cycling along the Canal de Bourgogne; from here to Dijon it’s four or five days of easy cycling through some superb countryside. You don’t even have to worry about luggage: Bag Transfert will pick up your bags and take it to your next stop for €12 per piece.

Treasure of Vix

For anyone interested in pre-Roman France, there is one compelling reason to visit Châtillon-sur-Seine , around 30km east of Tonnerre: the so-called Treasure of Vix , discovered in 1953 6km northwest of Châtillon. The finds, from the sixth-century BC tomb of a Celtic princess buried in a four-wheeled chariot, include the famous Vase of Vix , which, weighing 208kg and 1.64m high, is the largest bronze vase of Greek origin known from antiquity, with a superbly modelled high-relief frieze round its rim, and Gorgons’ heads for handles. The treasure is displayed in the Musée du Pays Châtillonnais , which also boasts an impressive collection of objects from Celtic, Gallo-Roman and medieval periods found in the Châtillonnais region.

Burgundy – and in particular the area to the east and south of the Morvan – is one of the prime château regions in France. Whether still in the hands of old families like the Château de Vauban ,whose current owner is related to Vauban, the great French fortification builder, or state-owned and state-maintained like the Château de Castellux , their remoteness and association with a feudal aristocratic class places them several steps above a simple stately mansion.

As the upkeep of such massive structures becomes more and more expensive, many château owners rent their properties to large families or groups. Depending on numbers, costs can be as low as £300 per week, but take note: wi-fi may not penetrate the thick stone walls, and you will almost invariably need your own car; some places come with a cook and a maid, and occasionally the owners may still live on the premises (though you might never even bump into them). The range of experiences is broad, however, and you should be able to find something to suit your tastes – from Château de Missery near Saulieu, who offer weekend cookery courses and wine tastings for about a dozen people, to Château de Tailly , which is split into three buildings and can accommodate smaller parties of guests.

In Celtic times, Dijon held a strategic position on the tin merchants’ route from Britain to the Adriatic. It became the capital of the dukes of Burgundy around 1000 AD, and in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, under the auspices of dukes Philippe le Hardi (the Bold – as a boy, he had fought the English at Poitiers), Jean sans Peur (the Fearless), Philippe le Bon (the Good – he sold Joan of Arc to the English), and Charles le Téméraire (also the Bold), Dijon flourished. The dukes used their tremendous wealth and power – especially their control of Flanders, the dominant manufacturing region of the age – to make this one of the greatest centres of art, learning and science in Europe. It lost its capital status on incorporation into the kingdom of France in 1477, but has remained one of the country’s pre-eminent provincial cities. Today, it’s an affluent university city: elegant, modern and dynamic, especially when the students are around.

Dijon is not enormous and the area you’ll want to see is confined to the eminently walkable centre. The two tram lines that started service in the winter of 2012/13 have transformed the place, with cars being forced out onto the outskirts; if you have driven to Dijon, you are advised to leave the car at your hotel and forget about it until you leave. Rue de la Liberté forms the spine of the city, running east from the wide, attractive place Darcy and the eighteenth-century triumphal arch of Porte Guillaume – once a city gate – past the palace of the dukes of Burgundy on the semicircular place de la Libération .

The Palais des Ducs

The focus of a visit to Dijon is inevitably the seat of its former rulers, the Palais des Ducs , which stands at the hub of the city. Facing the main courtyard is the relaxed place de la Libération , built by Jules Hardouin-Mansart, one of the architects of Versailles, towards the end of the seventeenth century. It’s now something of a suntrap on a good day, and the decision to close it to traffic has stimulated a boom in café trade. The fourteenth-century Tour de Bar dominates the courtyard in front of the east wing, and now houses the Musée des Beaux-Arts , which houses an interesting collection of works from the Middle Ages to the twentieth century; among the highlights are the Flemish paintings, particularly the Nativity by the so-called Master of Flémalle, a shadowy figure who ranks with van Eyck as one of the first artists to break from the chilly stranglehold of International Gothic, Burgundy’s homespun phase of Gothic art.

Visiting the museum also provides the opportunity to see the surviving portions of the original ducal palace, including the vast kitchen and the magnificent Salle des Gardes . Displayed here are the lavish, almost decadent, tombs of Philippe le Hardi and Jean sans Peur and his wife, Marguerite de Bavière, with their startling, painted effigies of the dead, surrounded by gold-plated angels.

Quartier Notre-Dame

Architecturally more interesting than the dukes’ palace, and much more suggestive of the city’s former glories, are the lavish townhouses of the rich burghers. These abound in the streets behind the duke’s palace, most notably on rue de la Chouette . Some are half-timbered, with storeys projecting over the street, others are in more formal and imposing Renaissance stone. Particularly fine are the Renaissance Hôtel de Vogüé , 8 rue de la Chouette, the Hôtel Aubriot at no.40 rue des Forges, plus the Hôtel Benigne Malyot and the Maison des Cariatides at no. 1 and 28 rue Chaudronnière respectively.

The richness of Burgundy’s cuisine is largely due to two factors: the region’s wines and its possession of one of the world’s finest breeds of beef cattle, the Charolais. Wines are often used in the preparation of sauces, especially à la bourguignon . Essentially, this means that the dish is cooked in a red wine sauce to which baby onions, mushrooms and lardons (pieces of bacon) are added. The classic Burgundy dishes cooked in this manner are bœuf bourguignon and coq au vin . Another term that frequently appears on menus is meurette , which is also a red wine sauce but made without mushrooms and flambéed with a touch of marc brandy. It’s used with eggs, fish and poultry as well as red meat.

Snails ( escargots ) are hard to avoid in Burgundy, and the local style of cooking involves stewing them for several hours in white wine with shallots, carrots and onions, then stuffing them with garlic and parsley butter and finishing them off in the oven. Other specialities include the parsley-flavoured ham ( jambon persillé ); calf’s head ( tête de veau , or sansiot ); and a pauchouse of river fish (that is, poached in white wine with onions, butter, garlic and lardons ).

Like other regions of France, Burgundy produces a variety of cheeses . The best known are the creamy white Chaource, the soft St-Florentin from the Yonne valley, the orange-skinned Époisses and the delicious goat’s cheeses from the Morvan. And then there is gougère , a savoury pastry made with cheese, best eaten warm with a glass of Chablis.

The Morvan region lies in the middle of Burgundy between the valleys of the Loire and the Saône, stretching roughly from Clamecy , Vézelay and Avallon in the north to Autun in the south. It’s a land of wooded hills and, with poor soil and pastures only good for a few cattle, villages and farms are few and far between. In the nineteenth century, supplying firewood and charcoal to Paris was the main business and large tracts of hillside are still covered in coniferous plantations.

Carpeted with forest and etched by cascading streams, the Parc Régional du Morvan was officially created in 1970, when 170,000 hectares of hilly countryside were set aside in an attempt to protect the local cultural and physical environment with a series of nature trails, animal reserves, museums and local craft shops. It’s an excellent place for outdoor activities , especially cycling and walking, with a good network of simple accommodation.

With its Gothic spire rising against the backdrop of the Morvan hills, Autun is scarcely bigger than the circumference of its walls ; most of the enclosure still consists of Roman fortifications that have been maintained through the centuries. The emperor Augustus founded the town in about 10 BC as part of a massive and, ultimately, highly successful campaign to pacify the brooding Celts of defeated Vercingétorix. The splendour of Augustodunum, as it was called, was designed to eclipse the memory of Bibracte, the neighbouring capital of the powerful tribe of the Aedui. Autun did indeed become one of the leading cities of Roman Gaul until it was sacked by the Arabs in 725 AD. Today, it is a picturesque provincial town, and an excellent base for exploring the surrounding countryside, particularly the Parc du Morvan. This town’s past remains very tangible, and two of its four Roman gates survive – Porte St-André , spanning rue de la Croix-Blanche in the northeast, and Porte d’Arroux in the northwest – while a number of other remains are dotted about the town.

The tourist buses winding their way up the steep incline to Vézelay should not deter you from visiting this attractive hilltop hamlet, which is surrounded by ramparts and has some of the most picturesque, winding streets and crumbling buildings in Burgundy. While the main draw is undeniably the Basilica of Ste-Mary La Madeleine – one of the first UNESCO-inscribed sites in France – Vézelay is also a popular destination for art-lovers, with many small galleries and antique shops on rue St-Pierre, and an impressive art collection in the Musée Zervos .

Some 60km west of the Parc du Morvan, Nevers , on the confluence of the rivers Loire and Nièvre, is a strange place, where motorbikers and boy racers drawn to the Formula One racing ring at nearby Magny-Cours mingle in the streets with religious pilgrims come to pay their respects to Bernadette of Lourdes , gourmands attracted by the local nougatine sweets, and shoppers out to buy fine hand-painted pottery. Faïence , as it’s called, has been a hallmark of Nevers since the seventeenth century, and is painted in the deep colour known as bleue de Nevers ; there’s a stunning new museum – the Musée de la Faïence et des Beaux Arts – celebrating the renowned earthenware, housed in the restored Abbaye de Notre Dame at 15 rue St-Genest.

Place Carnot is the hub of the centre; nearby, just above the tourist office you’ll find the fifteenth-century Palais Ducal , former home of the dukes of Nevers, which has octagonal turrets and a central tower adorned with elegantly carved hunting scenes. That aside, Nevers’ main attractions are its religious monuments, including the Cathédrale de St-Cyr and the late eleventh-century church of St-Étienne .

South of Dijon, the attractive countryside of the Côte d’Or is characterized by the steep scarp of the côte , wooded along the top and cut by sheer little valleys called combes , where local rock climbers hone their skills. Spring is a good time to visit this region; you can avoid the crowds and the landscape is a dramatic symphony of browns – trees, earth and vines – punctuated by millions of bone-coloured vine stakes, standing like crosses in a vast war cemetery. The main administrative and shopping centre is the beautiful city of Beaune , south of which is the Great Wine Route , which checks off the big names in Burgundy winemaking.

Beaune , the principal town of the Côte d’Or, manages to maintain its attractively ancient air, despite a near-constant stream of wine aficionados using the place as their base. Narrow cobbled streets and sunny squares dotted with cafés make it a lovely, albeit expensive, spot to sample the region’s wine. Beaune’s chief attraction is the fifteenth-century hospital, the Hôtel-Dieu , founded in 1443 by chancellor of Burgundy, Nicholas Rolin. As grateful ex-patients or their families donated vine plots to the hospital, the town prospered quickly to become the centre of the local wine trade. The cobbled courtyard is surrounded by a wooden gallery overhung by a massive roof patterned with diamonds of variegated tiles – green, burnt sienna, black and yellow – and similarly multicoloured steep-pitched dormers and turrets. Inside is a vast paved hall with a glorious arched timber roof, the Grande Salle des Malades, with the original enclosed wooden beds. Passing through two smaller, furnished wards, one with some stunning seventeenth-century frescoes, then the kitchen and the pharmacy, you reach a dark chamber housing the splendid fifteenth-century altarpiece of the Last Judgement by Rogier van der Weyden and the tapestry of St Eloi, which is comparable to the Lady and the Unicorn in the Musée National du Moyen Age in Paris.

The Great Wine Route

The place names that line the legendary Great Wine Route National 74 – Gevrey-Chambertin, Vougeot , Vosne-Romanée, Nuits-St-Georges, Pommard , Volnay, Meursault – are music to the ears of wine buffs. These prosperous villages are full of wine cellars where you can get good advice on different vintages; you can taste and buy direct from the source at most of the vineyards by just turning up and asking.

If you’re interested in French wine culture, it’s worth visiting the Château du Clos-de-Vougeot to see the winemaking process. Particularly impressive are the mammoth thirteenth-century winepresses installed by the Cistercian monks who owned these vineyards for nearly seven hundred years. The land now belongs to more than eighty different owners, each growing and marketing their own wine.

The Saône valley south from Chalon-sur-Saône via Tournus all the way to Mâcon is prosperous and modern, nourished by tourism, industry (especially metalworking), and the wine trade. But turn your back on the river and head west and you immediately enter a different Burgundy, full of hilly pastures and woodland. This country is best known for its produce: the white wines of the Mâconnais are justly renowned, and the handsome white cattle that luxuriate in the green fields of the Charolais are an obvious sign that this is serious beef territory. In the past, the region was famed for its religious institutions ; almost every village clusters under the tower of a Romanesque church, spawned by the authority of the great abbey at Cluny . Many large and powerful abbeys were established in the eleventh and twelfth centuries under the aegis of Cluny.

Chalon-sur-Saône

Chalon is a sizeable port and bustling town on a broad meander of the Saône. Its old riverside quarter has an easy charm, and the town itself makes a cheap and cheerful base for exploring the more expensive areas of the Côte d’Or. The highlight of the old town , set just back from the river, is the lively place St-Vincent , where you can sit outside a café and admire the twin towers of the Romanesque cathedral, surrounded by medieval timber-framed houses. The Saône quays , meanwhile, provide some nice, though not always shaded, walking opportunities.

Chalon festivals

You may be tempted to visit Chalon during the pre-Lent carnival (Feb or March), which features a parade of giant masks and a confetti battle, or for one of the most remarkable festivals in Burgundy, the three-day Montgolifiades , which has a display and a race of dozens of multicoloured hot-air balloons; it takes place in the last weekend of May. As most of the sponsors are wine producers, the event is a great excuse to drink and be merry.

Scattered among the houses of the attractive modern-day town, the abbey of Cluny is the Saône Valley’s major tourist destination. The monastery was founded in 910 in response to the corruption of the existing church, and it took only a couple of vigorous early abbots to transform the power of Cluny into a veritable empire. Second only to that of the pope, the abbot’s power in the Christian world made even monarchs tremble. However, Cluny’s spiritual influence gradually declined and the abbey became a royal gift in the twelfth century. Centuries later, in the wake of the Revolution, Hugues de Semur’s vast and influential eleventh-century church , which had been the largest building in Christendom until the construction of St Peter’s in Rome, was dismantled. The most exciting thing that has happened since has been the burial of Mme Danielle Mitterrand, the President’s wife, in the town cemetery; her grave attracts many visitors.

What you see of the former abbey today is an octagonal belfry and the huge south transept . Standing amid these fragments of a once huge construction gives a tangible and poignant insight into the Revolution’s enormous powers of transformation. Access to the belfry is through the Grand École des Ingénieurs , one of France’s elite higher-education institutions, and you can often see the students in their grey lab coats.

Mâcon is a lively, prosperous town on the banks of the River Saône, 58km south of Chalon and 68km north of Lyon, with excellent transport connections between the two. A centre for the wine trade, with a surprisingly relaxed, seaside atmosphere, thanks to its long café-lined riverbank and free outdoor concerts in late June, July and August, it also boasts the best nightlife between Dijon and Lyon. It is, however, a nightmare to drive around and parking is problematic, so it’s not recommended as a base for a regional wine-tasting tour for anyone renting a car.

Alphonse Lamartine: the great Romantic

Often compared to Lord Byron, Alphonse Lamartine (1790–1869) is one of the best-known of the French Romantic poets. He was born and grew up in Milly (now called Milly-Lamartine), about 15km west of Mâcon, and published his first poetic work, Méditations poétiques , in 1820. After the 1830 Revolution in Paris, he became involved in politics and was elected to the Chambre des Députés in 1833.

Lamartine, having acquired a reputation as a powerful orator on the weighty questions of the day, like the abolition of slavery and capital punishment, had his finest hour was as the leading figure in the provisional government of the Second Republic, which was proclaimed from the Hôtel de Ville in Paris on February 23, 1848. He withdrew from politics when reactionary forces let the army loose on the protesting workers of Paris and Marseille in June 1848. Retiring to St-Point, he continued to write and publish until his death in 1869.

The Charolais and Paray-le-Monial

The Charolais takes its name from the pretty little water-enclosed market town of Charolles , with its 32 bridges, on the main N79 road. In turn, it gives its name to one of the world’s most illustrious breeds of cattle : the white, curly-haired, stocky Charolais, bred for its lean meat. Throughout this region, scattered across the rich farmland, are dozens of small villages, all with Romanesque churches, the offspring of Cluny’s vigorous youth.

Some 14km west of Charolles, across countryside that becomes ever gentler and flatter as you approach the broad valley of the Loire, is Paray-le-Monial , whose major attraction is its Basilique du Sacré-Coeur . Not only is it an exquisite building in its own right, with a marvellously satisfying arrangement of apses and chapels stacking up in sturdy symmetry to a fine octagonal belfry, it’s the best place to get an idea of what the abbey of Cluny looked like, as it was built shortly afterwards in devoted imitation of the mother church.

The Mâconnais

The Mâconnais wine-producing country lies to the west of the Saône, a 20km-wide strip stretching from Tournus to just south of Mâcon. The region’s best white wines, including all the grands crus and some of the best white grands crus , labelled Pouilly-Fuissé , come from the southern part of this strip, around the pretty villages of Pouilly , Vinzelles and Fuissé .

The Chardonnay grape is the most popular, with around 80% of vineyards in the region growing it. The area, in general, specialises in high-quality wines, mostly whites but distinctive reds and roses also make an appearance in most places.

vineyards near Fuisse, Burgundy, France

Fuisse, The Maconnais © Richard Semik / Shutterstock

The Maconnais is 2 hours from Paris or Marseille by train and an hour from Lyon. If travelling by car, follow the A6 and exit and Tournus or Macon.

The Maconnais region, between Sennecey-le-Grand and Saint-Verand, has plenty of charming little towns and villages to explore.

Along the banks of the Saone River, lies Macon, the main city in the Maconnais region. Here you can explore the Old Cathedral of Saint Vincent and the New Cathedral of Saint Vincent. Simply strolling through the old town centre and walking down Quai Lamartine is pleasant enough, as with visiting the museum of Ursulines and the Church of Saint-Pierre.

City of Macon with Saone river in Burgundy, France

Saone river in Macon © Labrador Photo Video / Shutterstock

Cluny, North-east of Macon, is home to Cluny Abbey, a national monument of France. Once the largest in Europe, Cluny Abbey has a museum with historical collections and stonework that you can't help but admire. Exploring the streets of Cluny is just a lovely, with pretty old buildings and cobblestone streets.

Cluny Abbey, Nigel Jarvis

Cluny Abbey © Nigel Jarvis / Shutterstock

Solutre-Pouilly Vergisson

The national site of Solutre-Pouilly Vergisson is not just known for its vineyards but it's the classic landscape of limestone cliffs and lush green vegetation. Explore the area and look out for the infamous Solutre rock.

famous Solutre Rock with vineyards, Burgundy, France

Solutre Rock © Prochasson Frederic

Berze-le-Chatel

The Berze-le-Chatel is a castle made up of a fortress, 13 towers and beautiful terraced gardens providing views of the rolling vineyards and cliffs.

Graced by ancient, golden buildings, Tournus is a beautiful little town on the banks of the Saône, 28km south of Chalon. Its main attraction is the old abbey church of St-Philibert , one of the earliest and thus most influential Romanesque buildings in Burgundy. Its construction began around 900 AD but the present building dates back to the first half of the eleventh century. The facade, with its powerful towers and simple decoration of Lombard arcading, is somewhat reminiscent of a fortress.

Burgundy farmers have been growing grapes since Roman times, and Burgundy’s wines are some of the most renowned in the world. In recent years, though, Burgundy’s vineyards, and those in other regions of France, have suffered due to competition from the southern hemisphere. However, because of stringent legal restrictions banning watering and other interference, French wines, more than others, remain a faithful reflection of the terroir where they are produced, and Burgundy experts remain confident that the climate and soil of their region will fight off any temporary economic challenges.

Burgundy’s best wines come from a narrow strip of hillside called the Côte d’Or that runs southwest from Dijon to Santenay, and is divided into two regions, Côte de Nuits (the better reds) and Côte de Beaune (the better whites). High-quality wine is certainly produced further south as well though, in the Mâconnais and on the Côtes Chalonnaises . Reds from the region are made almost exclusively from the Pinot Noir grape, while whites are largely from Chardonnay. Fans of bubbly should look out for the often highly regarded sparkling whites, which crop up across the region and won’t set you back half as much as a bottle of Champagne.

The single most important factor determining the “character” of wines is the soil . In both the Côte d’Or and Chablis , its character varies over very short distances, making for an enormous variety of taste. Chalky soil makes a wine drier and more acidic – while clay brings more fruitiness and body to it.

For an apéritif in Burgundy, you should try kir , named after the man who was both mayor and MP for Dijon for many years after World War II – two parts dry white wine, traditionally aligoté , and one part cassis. To round the evening off there are many liqueurs to choose from, but Burgundy is particularly famous for its marcs, of which the best are matured for years in oak casks.

The Yonne valley

Burgundy begins just south of Fontainebleau, near where the river Yonne joins the Seine, and follows the Yonne valley through the historic towns of Sens and Joigny before it reaches Auxerre. Scattered in a broad corridor to the east and west in the riverbanks of the Yonne’s tributaries – the Armançon , Serein , Cure and Cousin – is a fascinating collection of abbeys, châteaux, towns, villages and other sites as ancient as the history of France. They all deserve a visit, for reasons ranging from architecture ( Pontigny ) and wine ( Chablis ) to sheer secluded beauty ( Noyers-sur-Serein ).

Chablis and around

Some 16km south of Pontigny, the pretty red-roofed village of Chablis is home to the region’s famous dry white wines. Lying in the valley of the River Serein , the town is surrounded by rows of vines, interspersed with yellow splashes of fields full of sunflowers. While wandering around the wealthy, modern village take a look at the side door of the church of St-Martin , which is decorated with ancient horseshoes belonging to sick horses left by visiting pilgrims – St-Martin being the protector of horsemen.

The wacky Corkscrew and Vineyard Museum at Beine , a ten minutes’ drive west of Chablis, is great fun; spot the phallic and occasionally X-rated bottle-openers and corkscrews, and indulge in a little wine tasting.

Chablis wines

The combination of fossilized/limestone Jurassic soil, as well as a perfect vineyard climate with hard, wet winters and dry, sunny summers have made the village of Chablis one of the best-known names in dry white wines. Chablis follows the four Burgundy denominations in its own, particular way: the plots on a plateau are the cheapest, denominated as Petit-Chablis . The ones with a northern or eastern orientation (and thus limited sun exposure) are simply called Chablis . Those facing south or west are much more expensive and classified into 79 premiers crus . At the top of the pyramid are 103 hectares on the west side of the Serein facing south and comprising just seven Grand Crus that many believe produce the finest dry white wine in France: Blanchot, Bougros, Le Clos, Grenouilles, Preuses, Valmur and Vaudésirs. You can pick up a premier cru bottle in local cellars for €20 and a Grand Cru for less than €40.

For tastings try domain Jean-Marc Brocard in Préhy; they use a unique biodynamic model of viniculture which they are happy to explain to you (in English). Vititours offer English-speaking tours that end in tastings. They can pick you up from any hotel within a 35km radius of Chablis, which includes Auxerre. The hotel Du Vieux Moulin also offers tastings of its own domain Laroche.

Eating and drinking

The café terraces on place de la République are a great spot for a drink or light meal and are open quite late by French provincial standards.

Noyers-sur-Serein

Around 23km southeast of Chablis – you’ll need to drive, or take a taxi (about €35–40 from Tonnerre or Montbard train stations) – you come to the beautiful little town of Noyers-sur-Serein . Half-timbered and arcaded houses, ornamented with rustic carvings – particularly those on place de la Petite-Étape-aux-Vins and around place de l’Hôtel de Ville – are corralled inside a loop of the river and the town walls; you can pass a few pleasant hours wandering the path between the river and the irregular walls with their robust towers. The Serein here is as pretty as in Chablis, but Noyers, being remarkably free of commercialism, has more charm.

Pontigny lies 25km east of Joigny, and has a beautifully preserved twelfth-century Cistercian abbey church , standing on the edge of the village. There’s no tower, no stained glass and no statuary to distract from its austere lines, though the sombre effect is somehow compensated for by the seventeenth-century choir that occupies much of the nave.

Three Englishmen played a major role in the abbey’s early history, all of them archbishops of Canterbury. Thomas Becket took refuge from Henry II in the abbey in 1164, before moving to Sens in 1166; Stephen Langton similarly hid here during an argument over his eligibility for the primacy from 1207 to 1213; finally, Saint Edmund of Abingdon retired here in 1240, after unsuccessfully trying to stand up to Henry III. Saint Edmund’s relics lie in a seventeenth-century tomb inside the abbey.

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Burgundy Travel Guide 2024 : A definitive guide to explore France's most charming regions, famed for its superb wines, rich history, and magnificent vistas. (Travel and Vacation guide Book 30)

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Burgundy Travel Guide 2024 : A definitive guide to explore France's most charming regions, famed for its superb wines, rich history, and magnificent vistas. (Travel and Vacation guide Book 30) Kindle Edition

  • Up-to-date Information : This guide gives the newest insights about Burgundy, guaranteeing that you have access to the most recent info on lodgings, activities, and travel needs.
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In the ever-evolving landscape of travel literature, Kenneth Finley remains a steadfast force, a trailblazer who continues to redefine the art of travel guide publishing. With each new guide, he invites readers to join him on an expedition of words, inviting them to explore the uncharted territories of their dreams and embark on adventures that linger in the heart and mind long after the pages have been turned.

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Unveil the Charm of Burgundy: Your Essential Travel Guide to France’s Hidden Gem

Prepare to embark on an unforgettable journey through one of France’s most picturesque regions with the Travel Guide to Burgundy, France . This detailed and up-to-date guide for 2024 is your key to exploring the rich history, world-renowned vineyards, and charming towns of Burgundy. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler, a romantic couple, or a family looking for a unique experience, this guide has something special for everyone!

2024 Travel Guide to Burgundy : Stay ahead of the curve with the latest and most accurate information for exploring Burgundy in 2024. This guide is crafted to help you navigate the region with ease and excitement.

Comprehensive Vacation Guide : Discover the best of Burgundy’s sightseeing, museums, and attractions . From historic châteaux to vibrant local markets, this guide covers it all.

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Budget-Friendly Insights : Explore Burgundy without breaking the bank with our Budget Travel Guide to Burgundy , featuring tips and recommendations for affordable yet memorable experiences.

Detailed Travel Planner and Itinerary : Make the most of your trip with our easy-to-use Travel Planner and Itinerary for Burgundy , designed to help you maximize every moment of your stay.

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Burgundy Travel Guide

  • Janine Marsh

Burgundy Canal snaking its way to Chateauneuf-en-Auxois village

Burgundy has it all: glorious countryside, vineyards, amazing gastronomy, a fabulous history, picturesque villages, awesome towns, the Burgundy Canal and an incredible capital city – Dijon.

Wine, chateaux, gastronomy!

Of the hundreds of reasons Burgundy, or to give it its French name Bourgogne, will tempt you to visit again and again – these three stand out. The wonderful wines, some of the best in the world. The plethora of delicious cheeses. And, the astonishingly beautiful chateaux. There are more chateaux in this region than any other in France.

And, I haven’t even mentioned the diversity of the local landscape, the chance to stay in a fabulous chateau, amazing heritage, picturesque villages, the waterways, the peacefulness of the countryside…

Dijon Capital of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté

medieval buildings in Dijon town

The Dukes of Burgundy were once more powerful than the royal family of France. Their footprint in Dijon is incredible. Hugely wealthy, the Dukes of Burgundy were patrons of the arts and spent fortunes on making Dijon as beautiful as possible. An enormous palace, wide open squares, medieval streets with gorgeous mansions – their legacy is on every corner.

Wander round Dijon town and take in the sights of this historic town that bears so many traces of its illustrious and very prosperous past. Pop into a modern clothes shop and discover an ancient well left over from the 15 th Century. Dip down an alleyway and find a hidden medieval house that looks like it was built yesterday.

The unique and free to enter Museum of Burgundy Life in Dijon has an eclectic and wonderful mix of objects. The recreations of shops and their contents from the 19th and early 20th Centuries are truly superb.

Dine out in Dijon

Rest your feet and people watch at Place Francois Rude, encircled by cafés and bars whose tables spill onto the pedestrianised square. A lively place named after the Dijon-born sculptor of “La Marseilleise” which graces the Arc de Triomphe in Paris . The locals call it Place du Bareuzai thanks to the statue of a naked man treading grapes. The name means  ”red stockings” (from bas rosé) which the winegrowers had after crushing grapes with their feet

There’s a huge choice of places to eat in Dijon. I really love Les Oenophiles restaurant for its 15 th century pigeonnier, 17 th century dining room, 100% home cooked food and incredible tasting boeuf bourguignon, the region’s signature dish.

The Perfect day in Dijon

Dijon market

Start at the gorgeous market with its Eiffel designed architecture, the great man and designer of the famous tower in Paris was born in this town. Burgundians love their food and in this market you will really see, smell and taste the love that goes into preparing it. From bread with little heart shaped ends to snail cake and divine chocolate nibbles. There are amazing cheese such as Epoisses produced in a little village of the same name. Perfect washed down with locally produced wine such as Chablis. There is a café in the centre of the market that simply oozes joie de vivre as happy customers sit and chat… and eat.

Afterwards enjoy coffee in the square with a nibble on a nonette, the local gingerbread cake. Then it’s time to browse the second hand book stalls, lunch in the Place Francois Rude and then hop on the tram to Beaune which is slower than taking the train but a fun and charming route.

Beautiful Beaune the winetastic town

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Wine tasting in Beaune, home of the famous and really quite sensational Hospices de Beaune. It’s a pretty town where they take their wine seriously. When one of the locals discovered that robbers had been tunnelling from her wine cellar into the local bank, she called the robbers “idiots” for ignoring her wine collection which she felt was far more worthy than the gold or money in the bank! The Hospices de Beaune was a cutting edge hospital in the 1400s and incredibly parts of it stayed open until the 1990s. It is a fascinating place to visit and you will never forget the site of that magnificent multi-coloured tiled roof.  (About 20 mins by train from Dijon, or scenic route by tram about one hour 20 mins).

Great activities for families in Burgundy

  • Enjoy a picnic along the famous Burgundy canal
  • Cycle – there are 800 km of cycle routes and 5 major routes.
  • A must-see is the Chateau of Guedelon , Yonnne, a medieval castle being built in the 21 st Century. (Open March – November).

Chateauneuf- en-Auxois is a fairy-tale looking picture perfect hill top Burgundian country town. It overlooks the Burgundy Canal and is officially one of the “Plus Beaux Villages de France”. A great place to spend a relaxing day chilling out though there is not a lot to do other than wander, wonder and eat – the views alone are worth the detour.

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Burgundy Travel Guide

Burgundy Travel Guide

Burgundy is in east-central France, positioned southeast of Paris. It is recognized for its rich history, delicious red wines, prestigious gastronomy, and Châteaus (Castles). Distinguished by gentle rolling hillsides blanketed with vines. As one of France’s most reputable wine-producing regions, Burgundy is frequently thought to be at the core of French cuisine. Many traditional French foods such as coq au vin, beef bourguignon, and escargot all originate from Burgundy.

Here Are Some Basic Travel Information For Your Trip To Burgundy

Burgundy wine.

Most known for its wines, the Burgundy region of France produces some of the country’s best and most prestigious wines. Red wines made from pinot noir grapes and whites made from chardonnay grapes are the specialties of the region; though Chablis and Beaujolais are also well-known wines coming from this region.

Burgundy has the highest number of Appellation d ‘origine contrôlées (AOCs) compared to other French regions. Also, it is often seen as the most terroir conscious of the French wine regions. The practice of delineating vineyards by their terroir in Burgundy dates back to Medieval times. Back then, many monasteries played a key role in developing the Burgundy wine industry.

Burgundy has a long history of being one of the most respected wine growing regions in France. In fact, there is archeological evidence of vine-growing in Burgundy dating back to the 2nd century AD. Wine in France was first produced by monks and monasteries, and the Benedictines became the first group to develop a large vineyard in the Burgundy region.

Burgundy Travel Blog Wine

What to do in Burgundy

Go wine tasting.

Since this is THE wine-producing region in France, Burgundy is a great place to explore vineyards and go  wine tasting . With many famous vineyards big and small dot the landscape of this area, it is easy to explore the many vineyards and taste the wines from this region.

Go to the Dijon International Gastronomy Fair

Since Burgundy is also home to many of France’s most celebrated dishes and is known as a region with especially delicious cuisine, heading to the Dijon Gastronomic fair in the fall is a great way to sample some delicious food.

Go to a harvesting festival

September in France marks the beginning of the grape harvest season in France, which is specially celebrated in Burgundy. In September, you could easily bounce around the many wine-related festivals in France—there’s the Heralding of the Harvest in Saint Emillion and the Jazz and Wine Festival of Burgundy in Beaune. In November, you can also celebrate the release of the Beaujolais Nouveau around France.

Watch the  Tour de France

St. Etienne is actually home to the French bicycle industry (many famous bike manufacturers are based here), and the city often hosts a stage of the Tour de France. Although I don’t recommend biking and drinking, this is the perfect place to combine cycling and wine tasting into one vacation.

Things To Do In Burgundy

Visit the Vézelay Abbey

A Benedictine monastery located in the Yonne region of France, this monastery perched on top of a hill overlooks the fields of vineyards below, and the basilica here is a masterpiece of Romanesque art and architecture. Supposedly, the bones of Mary Magdalene are also located here, and there are many pilgrims who come to this church for that very reason today.

Regional Cuisine of Burgundy

The cuisine of Burgundy is known for its richness, due in large part to two factors. The region’s heavy red wines and its possession of one of the world’s finest breeds of beef cattle, the Charollais. The wines are used in the making of the sauces, which earn a dish the designation of à la bourguignonne. Basically, this means prepared in a red wine gravy to which baby onions, mushrooms and lardons (pieces of bacon) are added.

Although modern versions of this dish often use just regular old chicken, this dish is traditionally made with a rooster (as I discovered when I came home to my great aunts house one day to find a sully feathered rooster sitting on her counter), red wine, mushrooms, garlic and lardons (bacon-like pork).

This is a dish of snails cooked in a garlic, parsley butter sauce, which is served as an appetizer.

Boeuf Bourguignon (aka Beef Burgundy)

Perhaps one of the most famous dishes from this area, beef burgundy is essentially a stew prepared with beef braised in red wine (preferably with a red, Burgundy wine) and is flavored with pearl onions, garlic, carrots, lardons, and mushrooms.

Food In Burgundy Beef bourguignon

Main Towns and Attractions in Burgundy

With a famous mustard named after this city, it is no wonder that Dijon remains one of France’s gastronomic capitals today. It is also the capital of the region with majestic buildings dating back to the glorious days of the Dukes of Burgundy. Lively University town.

The Roman heart of Burgundy. A city rich in history and architecture, circled by stunning countryside.

Located on the River Yonne, explore the old part of town with its timber-framed houses.

The center of the wine region, steeped in wine culture, with famous vineyards surrounding it at all points of the compass.

Home to the famous white wine that comes from this area with the same name, this town is known as the ‘Golden Gate’ of Burgundy for the great wine it produces.

Once the largest abbey in Christendom, this town is an important location in Burgundy’s past.

Famous for its wines and landscapes, Mâcon on the River Saône is the gateway to the south, Lyon, and the Mediterranean.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site has been a center of pilgrimage for centuries. The basilica is the nucleus of this charming medieval town, which rates as one of Burgundy’s, and France’s best.

burgundy travel blog 2020

Weather in Burgundy

Burgundy is a landlocked region situated in the heart of France; it usually has warm or hot summers with that continental feel to them. Generally, the summer months are hot and dry, with rainfall averaging 6 cm per month during July and August.

The climate in the Spring and Autumn brings a mixture of sun and scattered showers with temperatures in the mid-60s.

Wear layers of clothes so that you are ready for colder mornings and warmer afternoons. Waterproof outer layers are wise on longer day trips if the weather forecast is uncertain.

Getting to Burgundy

Located just a short train ride from Paris, the TGV (France’s high-speed train) comes through Montbard to Dijon and on to Beaune and Chalon-sur-Saône, and via Sens to Le Creusot, Mâcon and on to Avignon and Marseille. The regional services run at a more leisurely pace but connects the smaller towns of the region.

Looking for more information about planning a trip to Burgundy? Start with these handy links:

Peter

Peter is the editor of France Travel Blog. He has traveled to France many times and is ready to share the knowledge in this travel guide for France.

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How to spend one week in Burgundy: Travel Guide & Itinerary

Last Updated on 1st March 2023 by Sophie Nadeau

This post may contain affiliate links. Please check out my  privacy policy  and  disclosure  for more information.

My recent time in Burgundy, or Bourgogne as it is so-called in French, was a seven day bliss of slow travel, culinary experiences, and boutique hotel stays. And so if you’re looking for an alternative destination to the rugged coast of Brittany, the bright lights of Paris, or the sun-soaked villages of Provence, then Burgundy is the place to go. Here’s your complete guide and itinerary for one week in Burgundy …

Tour de l'Horloge d'Auxerre (Auxerre Clock Tower)

Chalon Sur Saône

Nuits-saint-georges, tips, tricks, and practical advice for visiting burgundy, enjoyed reading about how to spend one week in burgundy pin it now, read it again later:, suggested itinerary for one week in burgundy.

Stay: 1 night

Where to stay: Panorama 360 Hotel & Spa

Located in the very southerly point of Burgundy, in a place where there’s a Mediterranean feel about the place and the sun shines for an incredible number of days each year in comparison with much of the rest of the region, Mâcon is the French city you wish you’d heard of before.

First inhabited as early as the Gallo-Roman period, and perhaps earlier, the city is home to a maze of cobbled lanes, pretty restaurants, and a laid-back way of life. Cross the medieval Pont Laurent and you’ll soon arrive in Bresse, another area of France and just as charming, albeit in a different way.

Read more: A guide to the best things to do in Mâcon

Maison de Bois (House of wood), 13 Place aux Herbes

Where to stay: Saint Georges Hôtel

Timber-framed houses can be found in abundance across this quaint French city. While slightly larger than Mâcon, Chalon Sur Saone is by no means quite as large as the regional capital of Dijon.

Alleged to be the birthplace of photography (the city’s most famous resident, Nicéphore Niépce took the earliest surviving photograph ) , there’s no shortage of things to do in this pretty city.

Highlights of Chalon-Sur-Saône, which is set across an isle in the River Saône and mainland France include the ever-so-impressiveDoyenné tower (this 15th-century tower was once located by the cathedral.

During the 20th-century, it was dismantled and re-erected on the other side of the river) and Musée Vivant-Denon. If you’ve got a little more time in the city, then La Boule à Thé is a beautiful café serving all manner of hot drinks and cool beverages.

Chalon Sur Saone, Burgundy, France

Where to stay: Hôtel le Cep

Essential tour: Burgundy Full-Day Tour and Wine Tastings from Beaune

The wine city of Beaune is every oenophile’s dream on a trip through l’Hexagon. Wander down any street and you’ll soon be greeted with wine vendors, as well as ample opportunities to head to one of the many tasting sessions that take place in the cellars that were constructed during the 17th-century.

Other must-see attractions in Beaune include strolling along the city’s ramparts (around half of the fortifications from the Middle Ages survive to this day) and visiting the other wine-themed attractions around town.

For example, directly opposite The Hospices de Beaune, you’ll find the wine bookstore of Athenaeum, while the Musée du Vin de Bourgogne will tell you all you need to know about the region’s rich wine history.

Beaune, France travel Guide: Best things to do in Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy (Bourgogne). Here’s where to stay, best attractions, and the best wine locations in Beaune, which is a timber-framed town filled with museums, eateries, and churches

Where to stay: Hotel Chateau de la Berchere

Located along the Route des Grands Crus, a UNESCO World Heritage rated wine route, Nuits-Saint-Georges is a quintessentially Burgundian town.

But with a population of just five thousand residents and only a handful of tourist attractions (several churches, a belfry, and a few restaurants) , you come to Nuits-Saint-Georges to enjoy the wine!

After all, from the town, it’s possible to walk or drive to nearby Vosne-Romanée. This French village is filled with wine vendors and tasting opportunities. Walk to the fringes of the village and you’ll soon stumble upon the vineyard that grows the grapes from Romanée-Conti wine, i.e. the most expensive wine in the world!

Read more: Your Guide to Nuits-Saint-Georges

Nuits Saint Georges village centre

Stay: 2 nights

Where to stay: Grand Hotel La Cloche Dijon MGallery by Sofitel

In order to truly enjoy the French capital city of mustard, you’ll need to set aside a full two days to wander around both the historic city centre and its wider counterparts. For a bird’s eye view of the city, be sure to climb Tour Philip Le Bon. From the top, you’ll soon discover one of the best views of the Dijon.

Other highlights of Dijon include mustard tasting (of course!) , visiting the city’s many tiny churches, exploring the crypt of 6th-century Saint, Saint Beningnus, and exploring a handful of museums, scattered across the city.

Many of the museums in Dijon are free to visit, and of note is the Musée des Beaux-Arts (one of the oldest art museums in France) and the Musée de l’Art Sacré (a museum of religious art housed within a former church). I particularly love all of the hidden gems of Dijon .

La Maison Sans Toit (the house without a roof), Place Bossuet

Where to stay: Hôtel Les Maréchaux

Just over an hour and a half from Paris on the train, the city of Auxerre is lesser-known than its other Bourgogne counterparts, though it should still be on your radar. Characterised by its three impressive ecclesiastical buildings (An Abbey, A Cathedral, and a Church) set alongside the glittering River Yonne.

Elsewhere in Auxerre, you’ll soon discover that there’s more to meet the eye than the maze of cobbled lanes and timber-framed houses that are so synonymous with the region.

After all, the Clocher (clock tower) dates all the way back to the 15th-century. Fortified and with a rather impressive astronomical clock, the stunning structure is reminiscent of that of Rouen.

Read more: The clock tower of Auxerre

auxerre river view, Burgundy, France

The best airport to fly into for this week-long itinerary is Aéroport Lyon-Saint Exupéry (Lyon Airport). I personally flew into here from London with a budget airline and thought that it was a great way to reach Eastern France.

Alternatively, Geneva also has a great international airport with regular connecting flights to the rest of Europe. Finally, if you want to complete this itinerary in reverse, then you could always fly to one of Paris’ airports (though I personally think that Charles de Gaulle is the easiest and most convenient of the Parisian airports).

Cherry blossom tree on the quai lamartine Mâcon, Burgundy

All of the cities and towns listed within this itinerary can be reached via public transport, and for many of the more historic older towns in Burgundy , you probably wouldn’t want to have a car with you!

For example, Beaune, Dijon, and Auxerre are all filled with one-way cobbled lanes and difficult enough to navigate on foot, let alone by car!

All of the destinations listed have tourism offices that are open throughout the year, and most offer free maps with walking tours (though some charge a nominal fee) .

Shops, cafés, and even pharmacies are generally closed all day on Sundays, and so you’ll want to stock up on groceries and the like on the Saturday as a result!

Here's why you need to visit the Burgundy capital of wine, Beaune, historic seat of the Dukes of Burgundy. Best Beaune attractions and things to do in eastern France

If you’re looking to learn a little more about wine prior to your visit, then I recommend purchasing a book like this one . Though it’s not absolutely necessary to know anything about vin before visiting Bourgogne, a little knowledge will certainly help you understand your preferences when selecting where you should go wine tasting and what you should purchase!

Finally, you’ll find that a general level of English-speakers can be found in pretty much every large town and city throughout the Bourgogne region.

This is especially true of those working in the tourism industry; hotels, B&Bs, tourism offices etc. However, it’s only polite to try speaking a little French and I highly recommend bringing along a simple French phrasebook like this one !

A one week travel itinerary and guide for seven days in Burgundy. Looking for inspiration for your trip to Bourgogne? This guide will tell you where to stay and the best towns to visit!

Sophie Nadeau is a full time travel writer and photographer focused on cultural experiences in Europe and beyond. When she's not chasing after the sunset (or cute dogs she sees on her travels) she can be found reading, playing video games, and going on long hikes with her husband.

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Hello! This post is great 🙂 Did you find that you needed to make reservations at wineries/ vineyards to do tours and tastings? Or can you just walk in? Thanks in advance!

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Burgundy Travel Guide

Renowned throughout the world for its venerable wines, Burgundy is an essential destination for those who appreciate the finer aspects of the winemaker’s art. This is a region where you can visit some of the oldest and most prestigious vineyards in the world and taste wines that are regularly regarded as the best France has to offer (which is saying something). As one of the richest regions of France for hundreds of years, Burgundy also offers a wealth of history and culture as well as beautiful landscapes that offer the adventurous visitor plenty of stuff to do, even if it’s just a walk to admire the scenery. If you’re booking one of our fantastic villas and chateaux in Burgundy , you’ll want to read this fantastic Burgundy travel guide to find all the best things to do, see, eat and drink.

  • HIDDEN GEMS

burgundy travel guide books

For lovers of the great outdoors, from its unspoilt landscapes to its tantalising produce, there is no finer corner of France than Burgundy . This east-central region is blessed with blueberry-covered hills, forested fields, glistening lakes and, of course, vast vineyards. It is a nirvana for ramblers, hikers and cyclists alike, particularly those who like their landscapes dotted with medieval villages, magnificent châteaux and Renaissance architecture. No wonder it’s so popular for weddings . Add in the delicious regional cuisine, comprising everything from Dijon mustard and boeuf bourguignon to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and it isn’t difficult to see why Burgundy is one of France’s most beguiling destinations.

Typical Sights

  • Dijon – Discover the former capital of the dukes of Burgundy, and the home of mustard!
  • Château de Tanly – Be seduced by the turrets and stone drawbridge of this fairytale castle.
  • Beaune – Explore the city’s cobbled alleys, shaded squares and historic buildings by foot.
  • Fontenay Abbey – Get an insight into medieval monks at this preserved Cistercian abbey.
  • Vézelay – Discover this picturesque hilltop village on the fringes of Morvan National Park.

burgundy travel guide books

When to Visit?

Despite its endless attractions, Burgundy is yet to be overrun by tourism, so even visits in the height of summer are unlikely to be spoiled by camera-clicking tourists. What’s more, Burgundy in summer is simply stunning, with long, sunny and warm days ( July and August see average highs of 25 degrees Celsius). That makes summertime ideal for hiking, cycling or boating Burgundy’s myriad waterways.

However, if your plan is more about wine tasting and cultural activities, it’s worth considering a visit in August,   September and October . Not only is it harvest season, so you can see the pickers at work and taste the young wine at festivals , but the cooler weather makes for easier city sightseeing. Avoid winter , when days are dark and cold and many attractions, shops and restaurants are closed.

Getting Around

  • Airports:  There is no direct flight from the UK to Burgundy but you can easily fly to Paris and hire a car or take the train to reach your final destination in less than 2 hours.
  • Public transport: Burgundy’s major cities and towns are connected by the regional railway network TER, so you can travel between places such as Dijon, Autun and Beaune with ease. However, some of the region’s popular attractions, like the hilltop Vézelay, are only accessible by bus.
  • By bike: Burgundy by bike is a joy, with quiet countryside roads and towpaths linking several towns in the region. But be prepared for rather a lot of up and down, particularly among the vineyards.
  • Hiring a car: Driving is the best way to see the most of Burgundy in the least amount of time. There are a number of car hire companies in the region, most notably Auto Europe who have offices in all airports and eight of Burgundy’s towns.

Burgundy

  • Explore the pretty little village of Chablis . Although world-famous for its white wines, Chablis is not top of most people’s list when visiting Burgundy, but perhaps it should be. As you enter the city by a grand gateway (the Porte Noël) consisting of two turreted towers, you enter a world of narrow stone streets and beautiful timbered houses dating from the 1300s. A beacon of Burgundian beauty.
  • Keen cyclists, avid boaters and history buffs alike will adore the Canal de Bourgogne . Built between 1775 and 1832 and stretching for more than 150 miles to connect the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, it crosses the entire Burgundy region, which makes it a great jumping on-and-off point for sightseers. Why not hop onto the route in Dijon and – on the road between Paris and Dijon, visit Auxerre. This beautiful yet under-appreciated town is more often driven-through than delved into, but we think it deserves more credit. Pick up a town map from the tourist office and explore the city’s crooked streets, stone-and-timber buildings and café-lined squares. And explore the city’s trio of churches – particularly the flamboyant Gothic Cathédrale Saint-Étienne d’Auxerre .
  • Head to Beaujolais for a rare wine experience. While most of Burgundy’s vineyards are given over to growing the ‘big two’ grape varietals – Pinot Noir reds and Chardonnay whites – the far south of the region focuses on Gamay. A fruity, light red wine grape with low acidity and high tannin, Gamay makes some fine wines, yet this is one of the few places in the world you can try them in their purest form.
  • Gird your loins for a climb up the steep path to Châteauneuf-en-Auxois . This charming little hilltop town is well worth the exertion, both for the town itself and the vistas of the surrounding woodland and farms. Often billed as a ‘mini-Carcassonne’, Châteauneuf-en-Auxois boasts a turreted, fortified castle dotted with pretty merchant houses; all dating back to between the 12th and 15th centuries.

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The Best Family Activities in Burgundy

  • Want to sneak in a bit of education while you’re entertaining the kids? The  MuséoParc Alésia  in the Côte-d’Or is a huge archaeological site spanning some 7,000 acres where you can delve into the history of the Gauls and their ferocious battles with the Romans.
  • How about something a bit more contemporary, but equally enticing?  Guédelon Castle  in Treigny isn’t actually a medieval castle but an ongoing recreation of one. The whole family can join in and enjoy typical activities from the age, including crafts, decorating and even a spot of baking.
  • Edge Charter  offers boat trips with a bit of a difference. You can charter your very own péniche (think a cross between a canal boat and a barge) and take a leisurely trip down the Yonne or the Canal de Nivernais, with breakfast and lunch included.
  • Why not head a little higher?  Near the town of Givry is a treetop adventure playground  with high(ish) altitude activities and ziplines, and courses suitable for younger children too.

If you want more ways that you can enjoy your holiday as a family, come on over to the best family activities in Burgundy   page.

The Best Family Cycling Routes in Burgundy

  • The Canal de Bourgogne runs for an impressive 212km, and its towpaths make great cycling routes. The southern end is particularly pretty, so pick your starting point and pedal for as long as you like.
  • The Voie Verte route from Givry to St-Gengoux-le-National is a fairly hefty 21km, but you’ll be passing though beautiful woodland and the charming village of Bexy so there’s plenty of opportunity to stop, admire the scenery, or break out the picnic basket.
  • Alternatively, head south from Auxerre down the banks of the river Yonne. Depending on the age of the kids, you’ll probably have to head back the way you came at some point but the relaxing landscapes and waterside views are worth seeing twice.

Burgundy Travel Guide by Oliver's Travels - detail (1)

Well, you don’t want to arrive home afterwards to learn that you missed out on the mustard tasting, the canoeing or the F3 car driving, do you?! Yes, those are all real experiences you can enjoy during your holiday in Burgundy; you can see a full list of suggested group activities below.

Adrenaline-Fuelled Activities in Burgundy

  • AN Rafting   is based in the beautiful Morvan National Park and can sort you out with some seriously exciting white-water rafting – and if that doesn’t float your boat (pun also intended) the park can also play host to paintballing, potholing and climbing.
  • If you really want to get your pulse racing (there’s another pun) then why not head to the  Circuit Magny Cours ? You could try a two-hour endurance race or even get behind the wheel of an F3 car, or if you’re not that confident behind the wheel you can enjoy the thrill of high speeds with a professional driver.
  • Looking for somewhere to hire a bike?   Velibourgogne   are the people to talk to, and they include all the extras like helmets, lights and handy route maps.

Laid Back Activities to Enjoy in Burgundy

  • L’Or des Valois  is a family-run business that can take you and your friends on your own truffle hunt – as well as providing you with the chance to take home loads of tasty truffle-based treats.
  • Château de Chailly  is a fantastic course designed by Thierry Sprecher that sits in the grounds of a spectacular chateau – and as well as a lazy game with your mates, they also offer lessons and competitions to sharpen your skills.
  • CeltÔ spa  in Bourbon Lancy offers visitors a thermal pool, jacuzzis, saunas and a range of treatments that’ll have you feeling fresh as a daisy (and twice as relaxed).

If you want to try more activities, check out our post the best things for adults in Burgundy .

Burgundy - Vineyard

What can we say about Burgundy wine? One of the planet’s most famous wine regions, it produces some truly glorious vintages – especially dry red wines made from Pinot Noir grapes and white wines from Chardonnay grapes – that have oenophiles flocking from all over the world.

But Burgundy isn’t only about wine.The region is also a mecca for foodies, with the tender bœuf (from premium cattle breed the Charollais), delicious escargots (snails, stewed in white wine and garlic) and tasty fromages (from creamy white Chaource to orange-skinned Époisses) drawing in tourist crowds year-after-year.With such a rich heritage of gastronomy, Burgundy is also inevitably home to some of France’s finest restaurants, food shops and unique dining experiences. To help ensure you experience the very best of Burgundy dining and food-related fun, here’s our selection of the region’s top culinary attractions.

The Best Restaurants in Burgundy

  • A fine restaurant in fine settings (it’s a converted former mill)  Au Fil du Zinc in Chablis serves quality french food cooked impeccably, and if you can’t decide there’s a tempting tasting menu that’ll let you try a bit of everything.
  • Maison Lameloise in Chagny is the place to head if you feel like splashing out – it’s been awarded three Michelin stars, so you know you’ll be getting one of the finest dining experiences of your life.
  • For something a bit less formal that still hits the fine dining spot, head to Paray-le-Monial and try  Restaurant Frédéric Doucet , which serves such delights as Breton lobster and Morvan truffles but welcomes groups and families too.

Want to find more delectable inspiration? Take a look at our best foodie experiences .

Tempting Dishes to Try in Burgundy

  • The practice of eating escargots actually originated in Burgundy. If you haven’t tried them, don’t be put off – if you like shellfish such as mussels and clams, you’ll surely appreciate a snail or two.
  • Of course, Burgundy’s magnificent wine is used a lot in cooking, which has given rise to two of its most famous dishes – beef bourguignon and coq au vin . Make sure you try at least one while you’re over there to appreciate them in truly authentic style.
  • Oeufs en meurette also utilises wine, but not with meat – this dish pairs poached eggs with a wine reduction and is usually eaten for brunch.
  • One of the strongest cow’s milk cheeses you’re likely to try, Époises  is a Burgundy classic and is considered one of the great French cheeses. It pairs perfectly with a nice robust red wine.

The Best Foodie Activities in Burgundy

  • Many of the dishes that are considered ‘French’ actually originated in Burgundy – so make sure you sample some of these staples with a tour from  Burgundy on a Plate . Based in Chagny, they offer a fantastic range of foodie tours including truffle hunting, cheese tasting and even customised tours including an activity of your choice.
  • Everyone knows that French cookery is among the best in the world, so why not take a few of those skills back home with you?  The Cook’s Atelier  will let you get to grips with the basics of French cookery, guided by top professionals and using fresh, local ingredients.
  • Of course, it wouldn’t be a trip to Burgundy without sampling some of that world-famous wine.  Joseph Drouhin Oenothèque  is a renowned winery in Beaune that covers some 200 acres, and a tour includes a visit to their ancient cellars and a sampling session of some of their finest vintages.
  • If you fancy a wine tour with a bit of a twist,  Authentica Tours  (which operates out of Dijon and Beaune) can take you around some of the region’s best vineyards while indulging in a bit of sightseeing on the way.

Foodie1-Recovered

Featured Villas:  Chateau D’Aleny ,  Chateau de Fremont,   Manoir de la Gargole ,  Chateau Des Siecles

Looking for a full list of villas to rent this year? Check out our  villa holidays  page here.

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Chateau D’Aleny – Sleeps 34 – Oliver’s Travels

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Chateau De Fremont – Sleeps 31 – Oliver’s Travels

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Manoir De La Gargole – Sleeps 20 – Oliver’s Travels

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Chateau Des Siecles – Sleeps 33 – Oliver’s Travels

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4 Responses

burgundy travel guide books

looking to rent a villa for 3 couples , all adults 60 yr olds, with at least 3 full bathrooms. must have a great kitchen, indoor outdoor dining, and an in-ground pool. Looking for the Burgundy Beaunes areas road bikers, prefer to cook, so kitchen barbecue area is very important. Sept 9 2017, for at least 10 days. Can you help

burgundy travel guide books

Hi Stephen, That sounds like a brilliant holiday you’re planning! We can certainly help – I have passed on your details to our concierge team and they will be in touch with some options shortly. Thanks!

burgundy travel guide books

We are thinking of coming to Burgundy this Easter from the UK. We would look to arrive on Good Friday and leave on the Tuesday. We would like to visit different wineries in the villages etc and just generally explore. However, do you think most places will be shut on the Sunday/Monday as it is Easter? I know Sunday most things shut down in France anyway but I wondered about Easter Monday!

burgundy travel guide books

Hey Rebecca,

Thanks for getting in touch :).

The likelihood is the majority of shops will be closed on Easter Monday as it’s a Bank Holiday. Some supermarkets might be open till mid-morning but will be back in action on the Tuesday.

Let us know if you need anything else or if you need any villa recommendations for your trip just pop us an email at [email protected] . Thanks!

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Burgundy travel guide

Photo of Burgundy

Visit Burgundy, France

The Burgundy region has a fascinating mix of unspoiled countryside, historical towns and monuments, many of them a result of the illustrious and wealthy past of the region, and is also well known for the exceptional Burgundy wines produced here

Burgundy tourism

The Burgundy (French name 'Bourgogne') region is found in central-eastern France to the south-east of Paris, between the towns of Sens and Auxerre to the north and Maçon (just north of Lyon) to the south.

View of Noyers-sur-Serein

Among the reasons that people visit the region are the attractive countryside including the Morvan Regional Park, the numerous historical towns and villages, and the interesting abbeys and other important monuments.

Wine enthusiasts will also appreciate the chance to see the vineyards and sample such renowned wines as Chablis, Beaune, Macon and Nuits-Saint-Georges, just a few of those produced in this region of France and another excellent reason to visit!

Burgundy covers quite an extensive area and includes four French departments: Cote d'Or (north-east), Nievre (south-west) , Saone-et-Loire (south-east) and Yonne (north-west). Below we mention some of the most popular highlights and places to visit in each department, and you will find much more detailed visitor information in the individual department travel guides.

A Brief History

Before you visit Burgundy it is useful to know that for several centuries (until 1477) the region was a state independent of France and important religious centre of Europe, and sided with the English against the French during the Hundred Years War.

At that time it was a very rich state, and continues to be one of the most wealthy regions of France to this day: it is the legacies from this golden age of prosperity that still provide many of the major attractions in the region.

Cote d'Or - north-east Burgundy

View of Semur-en-Auxois

The Cote d'Or department is an interesting introduction to Burgundy, with several of the region's most interesting and scenic highlights, towns and villages.

In the south-east of the department you can visit Beaune - famous for its wine and for its very impressive medieval hospital complex (the 'hotel dieu') and also the extensive historical centre of Dijon , our favourite city in the region and with a great deal to discover.

The most visited historic monument in Cote d'Or is Fontenay Abbey , one of the most interesting and complete abbeys and architectural treasures in France (close to Montbard ).

Flavigny

There are several particularly attractive villages and small towns in Cote d'Or, including in particular Chateauneuf-en-Auxois and Semur-en-Auxois . We also particularly enjoyed visiting the small fortified village of Flavigny , which is classified as one of the 'most beautiful villages of France'.

To the east of Cote d'Or at Chatillon-sur-Seine you can see the fascinating Treasure of Vix, with artefacts from the burial site of a queen that lived here 2500 years ago.

The town of Saulieu in the south-west of the department is a gateway town to discover the natural environment of the Morvan regional natural park (see Nievre below).

See the Cote d'Or travel guide for more highlights and places of interest.

Yonne - north-west Burgundy

Auxerre

The Yonne department is best known for its medieval architecture, and also has several very attractive towns and villages to explore.

There are numerous towns and villages in the region worth visiting, including Avallon (a personal favourite) and also Sens , Joigny and Tonnerre , and Auxerre , each of which has an interesting historic centre.

Among the smaller towns and villages in this part of Burgundy we particularly recommend you visit Noyers-sur-Serein , which has a very attractive medieval old town with numerous half-timbered houses to see. We also enjoyed exploring the small village of Montreal .

No visit to Yonne would be complete without a wine-tasting afternoon at the village of Chablis , which is famous worldwide for the fine wines produced from the vineyards on the hills surrounding the village.

Pontigny

Yonne also has several historic monuments of particular interest. Visitors to Yonne will certainly want to visit Vezelay to see the abbey (and the pretty village of Vezelay itself), and the abbey at Pontigny .

It was here in Pontigny Abbey that Thomas Becket took refuge from the English King Henry II in the 13th century.

There are also several castles of interest in Yonne, with those at Ancy-le-Franc castle and Tanlay castle among the most popular. An interesting contrast is provided by the project to build a brand-new castle using only techniques and materials available in medieval times at Guedelon .

See the Yonne travel guide for more highlights and places of interest

Nievre - south-west Burgundy

La Charite-sur-Loire

Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy visiting the Nievre department with the quiet roads and paths, in particular within the Morvan Natural park being very popular with hikers and cyclists.

Although Nievre has less important towns and monuments than the other departments in Burgundy, there are still some notable places to visit. Particular highlights include:

  • the town of Clamecy with its collegiale church
  • the imposing Duke's Palace at Nevers
  • the abbey complex and town at La Charite-sur-Loire , now a UNESCO listed world heritage site.

The department is best known for the chance to enjoy the unspoiled countryside, with small-scale farms, streams and ancient woodlands on the rolling countryside that we associate with Burgundy.

Situated to the east of the department, the Morvan Regional Park is a particularly scenic part of Nievre, and often entered via the gateway town of Corbigny .

See the Nievre travel guide for more highlights and places of interest

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Saone-et-Loire - south-east Burgundy

Paray-le-Monial

Saone-et-Loire in the southern part of Burgundy is a less established tourist destination than the northern departments of Burgundy, but still has places of interest to discover and explore.

The highlight for visitors is certainly the 11th century abbey at Cluny , which now features impressive 'enhanced reality' screens to help you better see the abbey at the time it was built.

The basilica at Paray-le-Monial and the church at Anzy-le-Duc are among the other important religious monuments in this part of Burgundy.

Autun

Stepping further back in time you can see substantial Roman ruins at Autun , as well as a romanesque style cathedral with an impressive entrance and other historic monuments. The towns of Tournus and Macon are also highlights of a visit to this region.

Smaller towns and villages that we enjoyed visiting in Saone-et-Loire include the picturesque village of Semur-en-Brionnais and the historical centre of Chalon-sur-Saone , and also the attractive village at Brancion .

The renaissance style chateau at Cormatin is also a popular attraction in Saone-et-Loire, dating from the 17th century and surrounded by moats and French style gardens.

See the Saone-et-Loire travel guide for more highlights and places of interest

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The World Was Here First

The Ultimate 2 to 3 Days in Burgundy Itinerary

Published on March 25, 2024

by Brittany Scott-Gunfield

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burgundy travel guide books

Burgundy is a beautiful wine region in eastern France with few cities and plenty of rural towns, chateaux and hiking trails. While you can easily spend a relaxing week discovering the whole region, our 2 or 3 days in Burgundy itinerary will cover the main highlights that you can experience in this gorgeous area.

From wine tasting and mustard-making to pottering around the old towns and discovering unique local treasures, Burgundy has plenty to offer visitors.

Table of Contents

How Many Days in Burgundy?

Burgundy is a small region so you don’t need to spend weeks in the area to get a feel for the place or discover everything, so how many days to spend in Burgundy depends on your style of holiday.

If you’re short on time, you can have a fantastic time over just 2 days in the area, filling each day with a cultural and gastronomic experience in the city of Dijon or the town of Beaune, each bursting with exceptional food and history.

Those who have a bit more time to spare, 3 days would be ideal to see the main sights of the largest towns, and spend one day wine-tasting or visiting a picturesque chateaux that’s off the beaten track.

If you can take the time, over one week in Burgundy you can have a relaxing trip, visiting small villages such as the picturesque hilltop town of Vézelay, or the renowned white wine vineyards of Chablis from a base out in the countryside, or moving from campsite to campsite as you tour through the area as part of a Burgundy road trip.

Beautiful Vineyards in Burgundy

Getting To & Around Burgundy

While famous for wine-making, Burgundy is not so famous internationally for tourists and isn’t as easily accessible as other major cities in France.

If you’re reaching Burgundy from afar, your best option is to fly into Paris , Geneva or Lyon and rent a car or take the train into the region.

Cities like Dijon, Auxerre and Maçon are all well connected with public transport, so you won’t have a problem taking a train over from the airport, whichever one you choose to fly into. You can view schedules here .

Plus, there are regular trains to smaller towns such as Beaune, and buses available for even shorter excursions to smaller villages. However, if you’re spending longer than a few days in the region, it’s advisable to rent a car.

There are wineries, quaint villages and chateaux scattered all over the Burgundy countryside, so if you want to discover some of its best kept secrets, you’ll need a car to get around and turn your holiday into a Burgundy road trip. You can browse car rental options here .

With your own car, you can then feel free to stop anywhere that piques your interest along the way, as well as stop by local boulangeries for fresh bread, and markets for your cheeses and meats, so you can have delicious picnics as you travel and keep your costs down.

Driving towards Beaune

2 to 3-Day Burgundy Itinerary

From mediaeval streets and colourful tiled roofs to exquisite pinot noir, mustard and, of course, beef bourguignon, Burgundy has everything for a wonderful trip over a few days to eat and drink at your leisure or have a packed itinerary of activities.

Our itinerary will take you around the region’s largest city of Dijon, complete with quaint old town and gastronomic heaven, to the smaller town of Beaune to the south with historic buildings and cultural activities.

We’ll then offer you a few day trip ideas so if you’re lucky enough to have 3 days to explore the region, you can choose whether food, history or culture wins out for your final day.

Day 1 – Dijon

Dijon is a beautiful mediaeval-turned-university city with plenty of vibrant activity taking place within the historic streets lined with half-timbered houses.

Whether you simply amble around the city on your first day, join a walking tour or get involved in a cooking class, you’re sure to have a great time.

Timber Houses in Dijon

Vieux Dijon

The best place to explore Dijon is on foot, wandering around the beautiful streets of the old town. From the iconic Place François Rude with its half-timbered houses and classic carousel to the central square Place de la Libération and all of the small streets in between.

Dijon’s tourist office offers maps of the city’s Owl Trail which you can follow to discover all of the hidden gems of the old town, marked by numbered plaques of owls, or you can simply wander around the pretty streets, discovering the city for yourself and following your nose and ears as the bustling city and mouth-watering treats are sure to draw you in.

You can wander from the enormous gothic Cathédrale Saint-Bénigne de Dijon and its neighbouring Romanesque Abbey now housing the Archaeology Museum of Dijon.

You can also follow the popular Rue de la Liberté, usually bustling with locals and tourists perusing the shops, into Place François Rude where you can stop for the famed pictures of Dijon as well as a coffee or lunch in a brasserie, before heading down Rue des Forges, with ornate buildings and boutique shops galore.

At the end of the street is another Gothic architectural wonder of Dijon, the Cathédrale de Notre Dame de Dijon, its facade lined with gargoyles and its interior covered with impressive historic paintings and stained glass windows.

At the back of the cathedral you’ll find the 16th-century owl sculpture that has become symbolic of Dijon, and the most important stop on the Owl Trail – don’t forget to stroke the owl’s head with your left hand while making a wish!

Just behind the cathedral is Dijon’s central marketplace, Les Halles. Take a look at all of the local produce before stopping by one of the neighbouring bars and restaurants for a fantastic and scenic lunch spot.

Notre-Dame de Dijon

Place de la Libération and Palais des Ducs et des États de Bourgogne

Surrounded by restaurants and bars on one side and the Palace of the Dukes and Estates of Bourgogne on the other, Place de la Libération is a must-see stop on your itinerary for Burgundy.

The heart of Dijon since the 17th century, the square has seen many changes over the centuries yet still remains a popular spot for tourists and locals alike to meet and spend an afternoon in the sun or an evening with a glass of wine.

Next to the square is the beautiful private mansion Musée Magnin which is open to the public, but the highlight of this area is the incredible Palace of the Dukes and Estates of Bourgogne.

Having been rebuilt in parts and been extended over many centuries from its original construction in the 1300s to the final additions of the 1800s, the palace has a mix of architectural styles visible as you wander around the outside, creating the unique appearance that stands proudly in the square today.

Since the palace is so large, it has been transformed into two sections, the town hall of Dijon to one side, and the city’s Fine Arts Museum on the other, both of which can be visited.

The Fine Arts Museum is well worth a visit and not just because it’s free to enter and gaze upon the 1500 works of art contained within.

From the tombs of the former Dukes of Burgundy and Egyptian antiquities to Renaissance works from the likes of Rubens and more modern collections including Monet and Manet – the Fine Arts Museum contains a huge number of impressive paintings and sculptures that you can easily spend a whole afternoon in awe of.

The palace also has access to the Philippe Le Bon Tower, built in the 15th century and standing at 46-metres high to give incredible views over the city.

Place de la Libération

International Cité of Gastronomy and Wine

If Fine Arts Museums aren’t your cup of tea and you want to get a more unique experience while in Dijon, then head down to the Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie et du Vin for one of the city’s more modern attractions.

This complex of boutique shops, luxury hotels and marketplace hosts a number of events aimed at educating visitors on the local gastronomic and wine-making traditions.

You can book a cooking class on location, or book tickets to attend a talk or wine tasting event to learn more about the food and wine history of Burgundy and the wines from the nearby Côte de Nuits region.

Or, simply take in the exciting sights and smells of the space that was once a hospice, and now offers some of the most delicious artisanal produce of the region.

It’s best to book classes and talks in advance to ensure a space, but if you have a few days in the area and fancy staying at the onsite four-star hotel, you may get lucky and attend a talk on the spur of the moment.

Day 2 – Beaune

Nestled in the heart of the Burgundy wine region, Beaune is a charming town renowned for its rich history, exceptional wines, and vibrant culinary scene.

With its picturesque streets, mediaeval architecture, colourful rooftops, cultural attractions, and warm hospitality, Beaune offers a quintessential Burgundian experience that captivates everyone seeking a blend of history, gastronomy, and wine culture.

Hôtel-Dieu Museum

The Hôtel-Dieu Museum (also referred to as the Hospices de Beaune) is the highlight of any trip to Beaune, and possibly Burgundy as a whole as the incredible architecture, history and art combine into one extraordinary location.

Founded in 1443 by Nicolas Rolin, chancellor to the Duke of Burgundy, and his wife Guigone de Salins, the Hôtel-Dieu was originally established as a hospital for the poor and sick. Its iconic architecture, characterised by colourful tiled roofs and intricate Gothic details, shows off the philanthropic endeavours of its founders and makes for fantastic photo opportunities.

Today, the Hôtel-Dieu Museum is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and showcases a wealth of historical artefacts, artwork, and medical instruments, located within expertly restored wards and kitchens providing a glimpse into the daily life of those living and working in the Hospice during the Middle Ages to gain a better understanding of the evolution of healthcare over the centuries.

One of the museum’s highlights is the magnificent ‘Last Judgement’ artwork over several panels by Flemish artist Rogier van der Weyden, located in the hospice’s chapel and considered one of the masterpieces of early Northern Renaissance art.

You can also explore the museum’s tranquil courtyards and gardens for more incredible photos of the immaculate coloured tiles and cobbled ground.

Hospices de Beaune

Mustard-Making

Dijon mustard is world-renowned, yet the oldest traditional mustard manufacturer in the area is located in Beaune and offers both tours and experiences to make mustard in the traditional manner, by grinding mustard seeds in a mortar.

La Moutarderie Fallot has a shop in Dijon you can visit if you simply want to take some souvenirs home with you.

However, the factory tour is well worth visiting to learn about the history of mustard-making in the area. This includes what herbs and aromatic spices they use to flavour their mustard as well as the incredible Burgundy cuisine that has been influenced by the exceptional local mustard production.

Book your tour before your arrival to ensure you have a guide speaking your language, as the factory receives many visitors and offers tours in various languages throughout the day.

Patriarche Wine Tour

Burgundy is synonymous with medium-bodied red wines, so you have to visit at least one vineyard or wine cellar while in the area for a few days.

If you’re not able to get out to a vineyard over just 2 days in Burgundy, fear not, as Beaune has one of the most remarkable wine cellars in France located just below the street, which offers tours and tastings as well as a small shop for souvenirs.

Patriarche Père et Fils has 5 kilometres of vaulted caves below Beaune, filled with around 2 million bottles of wine!

You can wander around the caves yourself, admiring the sheer quantity of high-quality wine, and be joined by a wine expert at the end of your trip who will discuss the 6 wines you’ll taste and answer any questions you may have.

The Patriarche tour is an excellent stop for any trip to Burgundy, especially if the weather is unfavourable, but if you want to get outside and enjoy some sunshine, you can take an organised tour to a nearby vineyard to see how the producers collect the grapes and turn them into liquid gold.

Vineyards near Beaune

Day 3 – Chalon-sur-Saône, Savigny-lès-Beaune or Wine Tasting

There are plenty of delightful Burgundy day trips to take, from visiting the lesser-known villages and towns, to excursions to see the amazing chateaux, wine tasting or hiking; so choose your activity for your final day wisely!

If you don’t have a car, some organised options from Dijon include this bike tour  or  this full-day bus tour .

Chalon-sur-Saône

Chalon-sur-Saône is a small pretty town to the south of Beaune and worth a day trip if you’re staying in Burgundy for 3 days or more.

As a significant Roman settlement, you can explore the historic centre with quaint mediaeval streets filled with colourful half-timbered houses before stopping in various caves for wine tasting opportunities, and exceptional traditional Burgundy cuisine.

Located on the Saône River, you can also enjoy pleasant strolls or boat rides along the river to see the town from another perspective, enjoy picnics of local wines and cheeses and end your trip to Burgundy in a state of relaxation.

Just outside of Chalon-sur-Saône, easy to reach in 10 minutes by bus or by car on your Burgundy road trip, is the unique Nicéphore Niépce Museum of Photography.

This museum is named after the inventor of photography and is located in the inventor’s studio, the oldest photography lab in the world, where he took and developed the first-ever photograph.

For fans of photography and history, this museum offers an experience to delve into the traditional techniques of the practice and understand its significance in the world of art.

Chalon-sur-Saône

Savigny-lès-Beaune

If you’re staying closer to Beaune or have a keen interest in vehicles, then you shouldn;t miss out on a trip to the epic Château de Savigny-lès-Beaune which has been transformed into an amazing museum of motor vehicles.

With reportedly the world’s biggest collection of fighter jets, as well as helicopters and fire engines in the grounds, and numerous rooms filled with all kinds of motorbikes, there is plenty to take in on a day trip to the Château, just 10 minutes driving north of Beaune – not to mention the entire room dedicated to Fiat Abarth race cars.

You can then spend your afternoon ambling around the very small town, and stopping for wine tasting in one of its many cellars.

Wine Tasting

For a full day of wine tasting, you’re not stuck for choice in Burgundy, with renowned locations like, the Route de Grand Crus, Gevrey-Chambertin and Meursault right on your doorstep around Beaune for those with expensive tastes or just looking to experience the finer things in life.

Those who prefer white to red wine are also in luck, as the town of Chablis is located in the northwest of Burgundy, towards the town of Auxerre, and offers some excellent choices for sipping chardonnay and vineyard day trips.

Domaine William Fèvre is one of the most prominent producers in Chablis, known for its wines that reflect the unique characteristics of local limestone soils, which visitors can enjoy tastings of, including their range of Premier Cru and Grand Cru Chablis wines.

Domaine Jean-Marc Brocard is another well-known producer of Chablis, although with a focus on organic and biodynamic practices to produce more expressive and vibrant Chablis wines. Here you can taste a variety of Chablis, experiencing the vast range of flavours on offer in the area.

Otherwise in Burgundy, Domaine des Comtes Lafon is a beautiful vineyard situated in stunning surroundings in Meursault, perfect for an afternoon of wine tasting in the sun, while further north, towards Dijon is Domaine Armand Rousseau in Gevrey-Chambertin famous for its outstanding and elegant red Burgundy wines, including its Grand Cru Chambertin and Chambertin-Clos de Bèze.

Wine Route in Burgundy

Have More Time?

If you have more than 3 days in Burgundy, you should definitely deviate one day to vineyard tours and wine-tasting, while spending a couple of other days visiting the other, larger towns in the area.

While the small valley between Dijon and Beaune is ideal for shorter breaks, over at least 4 days, you can travel further in the region, visiting Auxerre and Chablis to the northwest, or Maçon to the south.

Hiking in the Gorges de la Canche in Burgundy offers an ideal day out for nature enthusiasts seeking stunning scenery and outdoor adventure.

With its dramatic limestone cliffs, meandering streams, and lush greenery, the gorge provides a picturesque backdrop for hiking, catering to all skill levels with a variety of trails which are clearly marked.

With plenty of wildlife and plants around, hikers can delight in trekking around this area, coming across ancient ruins and mediaeval landmarks along the way.

Hiking in the Gorges de la Canche promises a memorable and enriching experience, blending natural beauty, cultural heritage, and outdoor recreation in the heart of Burgundy.

Mâcon is located in the far south of Burgundy and offers ample opportunities for wine tasting and exploration of local vineyards. The city itself has a charming historic centre with picturesque streets, lively markets, and architectural gems such as the towering and ornate Saint-Pierre Cathedral.

Mâcon is also a lovely place for riverside walks as it’s situated along the banks of the Saône River, providing scenic riverfront promenades and opportunities for boat rides.

Food enthusiasts will also appreciate the city’s gastronomic delights, including regional specialities like Poulet de Bresse (Bresse chicken) and the famous Mâconnais cheeses.

Auxerre is a charming town in Burgundy, France, offering a rich tapestry of historical and cultural attractions worth exploring.

One standout site is the Clock Tower, originally a Gallo-Roman tower turned prison in the 15th century, now restored and housing a fascinating clock mechanism dating back to 1483. Its unique solar and lunar hands not only tell time but also indicate moon phases, making it a captivating piece of heritage.

The town is also graced by the tranquil Canal du Nivernais, known as the “stop Vineyard,” offering scenic paths for boat rides, biking, or leisurely walks through picturesque wine villages along its banks.

Among its architectural marvels, Auxerre boasts the Saint-Germain Abbey, founded in the 5th century by Queen Clotilde and home to ancient crypts adorned with remarkable murals, making it a testament to the town’s rich history spanning over sixteen centuries.

Visitors can also ascend the 12th-century tower of Saint Jean for panoramic views and immerse themselves in Burgundy’s wine culture with a visit to Domaine Louis Moreau.

Town of Auxerre

Where to Stay in Burgundy

Hôtel des Ducs – A central, 3-star hotel in the lovely city of Dijon, this is a good mid-range base for exploring Burgundy. There are several room types to choose from, a bar and a very good breakfast available.

Led Nomades Beaune – A chic, modern hotel in Beaune, this is an excellent upmarket place to stay during your time in Burgundy. Not only are there 2 swimming pools but there is also a spa, a bar and a superb breakfast.

City Loft Apparthotel – These apartments in Dijon are great for those after their own space in Burgundy. They are well-located, breakfast is available and all flats are fully equipped with all you may need during your stay.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Burgundy hotels!

Burgundy is a diverse region so creating an itinerary for your stay should include a variety of history, culture, nature and, of course, food and drink to make the most of your trip.

Are you planning to visit Burgundy? Have any questions? Let us know in the comments!

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Brittany Scott-Gunfield

About Brittany Scott-Gunfield

Brittany is a writer for The World Was Here First. Originally from Colchester, England, she is slowly but surely travelling the world as a digital nomad. She loves to hike around different landscapes and has a deep love for travelling around France (and elsewhere in Europe).

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France, Bourgogne-Franche-Comte, Burgundy, Saone-et-Loire, Solutre-Pouilly. The limestone Rock of Solutre and its surrounding vineyards.

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Canal boat barge on Canal de Nivernais.

Burgundy (Bourgogne in French) offers some of France's most gorgeous countryside: rolling green hills dotted with mustard fields and medieval villages. The region's towns and its dashingly handsome capital, Dijon, are heirs to a glorious architectural heritage that goes back to the Renaissance, the Middle Ages and into the mists of Gallo-Roman and Celtic antiquity.

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Burgundy and beyond

Guedelon Castle meticulously constructed using only 13th-century.techniques and materials, Treigny.

Burgundy   Travel Guide

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Why Go To Burgundy

Imagine rolling hills draped in vineyards that gather into quaint villages, magnificently preserved of their medieval charms, and you'll start to picture Burgundy, a glorious region in central-east France. The crown of this fairy-tale region is Dijon, the capital city, which brims with remembrances of the days when the Dukes of Bourgogne used to reside here. Beaune, a walled village surrounded by vineyards, is completely delightful, too – especially since wine tasting is the village's predominant pastime. But enough can't be said for the numerous châteaux and abbeys, the incredible Morvan Regional Natural Park and the gastronomic appeals of the region.

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Burgundy Travel Tips

Best months to visit.

The best time to visit Burgundy is between September and November when the weather cools and the vineyards feature an array of autumn colors. Winters in Burgundy are cold and dark (average lows hover in the 30s), though December, January and February tend to be the best times to find deals on flights and accommodations. Spring is another sweet shoulder season, while June to August are considered peak season thanks to the warm, dry weather. Keep in mind: Temperatures can vary widely across the region; you'll want to pack layers if you plan to visit multiple towns.

Weather in Burgundy

Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center

What You Need to Know

  • It's Bourgogne in France In America, we refer to the region as Burgundy. In France, it's Bourgogne .
  • It's medieval and modern Virtually untouched by the world wars that ravaged much of Europe's great cities, Burgundy retains its medieval charms, yet it's fitted for modern life.
  • It's a wine capital The Burgundy region specializes in chardonnay and pinot noir wines, and vineyards and wine bars are staples here.

How to Save Money in Burgundy

  • Stick to one city Burgundy is filled with marvelous cities and villages, from regal Dijon to the cathedral-dominated Autun, but the transportation costs of bouncing around will stack up quickly.
  • Travel in the low season Wintertime can be cold and bleak in Burgundy, but the money you can potentially save on accommodations and airfare should cheer you up.
  • Enjoy a prix-fixe lunch Take your big meal at lunch and enjoy a delicious yet affordable two- or three-course prix-fixe meal, then eat a light (read: cheap) dinner.

Culture & Customs

Burgundy has a rich history that dates back to the 5th century, when the Burgundians – a Scandinavian people from a southern stretch of the Baltic Sea – settled the region. But it was not until the 9th century that the region really started to flourish, with cities like Dijon on the rise and what would be famous works of art and architecture being produced. 

The official language in Burgundy is French, and though you'll find that many in the tourist industry speak English, it's best to learn a few phrases or even pick up a phrasebook to help you get around. "Merci" is thank you and "s'il vous plaît" is please. If you're at a loss for words, politely ask the waiter or shop attendant "Pouvez-vous m'aider?" (Can you help me?) or "Parlez-vous anglais?" (Do you speak English?). Another helpful phrase: "Excusez-moi" (Pardon or excuse me). 

In France, the currency is the euro (1 euro equals about $1.23), and travelers can exchange their dollars for euros at the airport exchange booths or kiosks throughout Burgundy. Since the euro to U.S. dollar exchange rate fluctuates, be sure to check what the current exchange rate is before you go. When it comes to tipping, visitors should note that service charges are usually included on restaurant bills, though it is common to round out the bill with a small tip. Tipping hotel staff a euro or two for their services is also customary.

What to Eat

Burgundy is known for a number of culinary delights, including its famous Dijon mustard, which mustard-maker Jean Naigeon first created back in the 1750s. Boeuf bourguignon , a traditional Burgundy-style beef stew later popularized by famous chef Julia Child, is another staple. And arguably the world's most pungent cheese, Époisses, hails from a Burgundy city by the same name. 

Many travelers make Dijon their home base since it provides easy access to the towns and villages that spool out from the region's capital. Some of Dijon's traveler-approved eateries include Les Pré aux Clercs , L'Arôme and La Maison des Cariatides for a fancy French meal, and Café de l'Industrie and Café Gourmand for bistro fare. Of course, no matter where you base yourself, you're bound to stumble upon a memorable gastronomic experience thanks to the region's rich ingredients and Michelin-starred chefs. 

Of course, Burgundy is also a center for winemaking – and there are tens of thousands of acres devoted to vineyards growing chardonnay and pinot noir grapes across Burgundy's Côte de Beaune, Côte de Nuits, Chablis, Côte Chalonnaise and Mâconnais regions. Driving the historic 37-mile Route des Grand Crus is a great way to get an overview of some of the heavyweights, though taking a curated wine tour is another way. If you consider yourself an oenophile, you'll want to take time in Beaune to visit the Musée du Vin to learn about the region's wine-making tools, tradition and art. Beaune's Marché aux Vins is another must-see if you're looking for a more low-key tasting or tour than a full-day wine tour can provide. Tastings start at 9 euros (around $11) per person.

Getting Around Burgundy

The best way to get around Burgundy is by car and train. These quick and efficient modes of transportation will get you where you want to go on your own timetable. There are also networks of buses throughout Burgundy, and taxis are an option, too, though they are far from affordable. Cycling is another increasingly popular and scenic means of traveling between villages or wineries. 

To reach Burgundy, many travelers fly into Paris ' Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), Paris Orly Airport (ORY) or Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport (LYS), and either take trains to the Burgundy region or rent a car and drive. Burgundy sits about 200 miles southeast of Paris and about 120 miles north of Lyon. If you're hoping to take the train into the region, you'll find a high frequency of trains running from Paris to Dijon, the region's capital. Trains from Paris to Dijon take approximately 90 minutes, with tickets starting at $18. From Dijon, you can hop local trains to other hot spots within the region, including Mâcon, Beaune and Montbard, among others.

Fall is a golden time to visit Burgundy.

Explore More of Burgundy

Hospices de Beaune

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The Rough Guide to France

This practical travel guide to France features detailed factual travel tips and points-of-interest structured lists of all iconic must-see sights as well as some off-the-beaten-track treasures. Our itinerary suggestions and expert author picks of things to see and do will make it a perfect companion both, ahead of your trip and on the ground. This France guide book is packed full of details on how to get there and around, pre-departure information and top time-saving tips, including a visual list of things not to miss. Our colour-coded maps make France easier to navigate while you're there. This guide book to France has been fully updated post-COVID-19. The Rough Guide to FRANCE covers:  Paris; The North; Champagne and the Ardennes; Alsace and Lorraine; Normandy; Brittany; The Loire; Burgundy; Poitou-Charentes and the Atlantic coast; The Limousin, Dordogne and the Lot; The Pyrenees; Languedoc; The Massif Central; The Alps and Franche-Comte; The Rhone valley; Provence; The Côte d'Azur; Corsica. Inside this France travel guide you'll find: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EVERY TYPE OF TRAVELLER

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Written by Rough Guides' expert authors with a trademark blend of humour, honesty and expertise, this France guide book will help you find the best places, matching different needs. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

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Features inspirational colour photography, including the stunning Carcassonne Castle and the spectacular Canal du Midi. COLOUR-CODED MAPPING

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BURGUNDY TRAVEL GUIDE 2023: An Easy Guidebook on Everything You Need to Know About Traveling to the Burgundy, France

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BURGUNDY TRAVEL GUIDE 2023: An Easy Guidebook on Everything You Need to Know About Traveling to the Burgundy, France Kindle Edition

  • Discover the captivating beauty and rich cultural heritage of Burgundy, a land brimming with enchantment and allure. In the "Burgundy Travel Guide 2023," embark on an extraordinary adventure through this picturesque region that will leave you spellbound. This comprehensive guide is your key to unlocking the secrets of Burgundy and immersing yourself in its wonders.
  • Begin your journey with an introduction to Burgundy, where you'll be welcomed into a world of unparalleled beauty and cultural treasures. Learn essential information to ensure a seamless and fulfilling Burgundy adventure, including practical tips and insights that will enhance your travel experience.
  • Gain a deeper understanding of Burgundy as you delve into its geographical overview, uncovering its diverse landscapes and charming countryside. Discover the best time to visit and unravel the region's unique weather patterns, allowing you to plan your trip with precision.
  • Unveil Burgundy's fascinating heritage as you explore its renowned heritage sites. From historic landmarks to hidden gems off the beaten path, this guide reveals the must-see places that will leave an indelible mark on your memories. Immerse yourself in the local customs and etiquette of Burgundy, ensuring that you blend seamlessly into the vibrant tapestry of the region.
  • Craft your perfect itinerary with expert guidance, selecting the right duration for your Burgundy experience. Unlock the secrets of hidden treasures, venturing off the beaten path to uncover enchanting gems that will ignite your sense of adventure. Plus, discover invaluable tips for budget travelers, maximizing the value of your money without compromising on quality.
  • Explore the captivating cities of Burgundy, beginning with Dijon, the capital. Immerse yourself in its cultural offerings, visit museums and galleries, and savor the culinary delights that make Dijon a gastronomic paradise. Journey to Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy, where you'll be immersed in the world of vineyards, wine cellars, and architectural marvels. Experience the charm of Auxerre, a riverside gem, and indulge in its gastronomic delights while sailing on the tranquil Yonne River.
  • Marvel at Burgundy's natural beauty as you embark on scenic routes through its picturesque countryside. Discover the splendor of its national parks and nature reserves, immersing yourself in the untouched wilderness. Unwind and rejuvenate on a canal cruise, drifting along Burgundy's waterways, savoring the tranquility that surrounds you.
  • Delight your taste buds with Burgundy's culinary heritage, indulging in traditional dishes and regional specialties. Embark on a journey through the region's vineyards, sampling exquisite wines that have made Burgundy world-renowned. Experience gastronomic excellence at Michelin-starred restaurants, or unleash your inner chef at cooking classes and workshops.
  • Immerse yourself in Burgundy's vibrant festivals and events, celebrating its wine culture, music, dance, theater, and seasonal traditions. Engage in outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, golfing, and adventure sports, embracing the great outdoors in all its glory. Shop for specialty products, peruse bustling markets, and uncover hidden artisanal shops for unique souvenirs and handmade crafts.
  • With practical information on transportation, accommodation options, basic French phrases, and health and safety tips, you'll navigate Burgundy with ease and confidence. Extend your journey beyond Burgundy with nearby excursions to Lyon, Alsace, and Paris, unraveling the wonders of these enchanting destinations.
  • Print length 91 pages
  • Language English
  • Sticky notes On Kindle Scribe
  • Publication date June 14, 2023
  • File size 166 KB
  • Page Flip Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0C87KD9C7
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 14, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 166 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
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  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 91 pages
  • #2,223 in French Travel
  • #6,993 in Two-Hour Travel Short Reads
  • #7,153 in General France Travel Guides

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    The basilica at Paray-le-Monial and the church at Anzy-le-Duc are among the other important religious monuments in this part of Burgundy. Stepping further back in time you can see substantial Roman ruins at Autun, as well as a romanesque style cathedral with an impressive entrance and other historic monuments. The towns of Tournus and Macon are ...

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