Burgundy – Chateaux and Chablis
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Jardin Darcy, Dijon © Office de Tourisme de Dijon - Atelier Demoulin
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Vineyards, Dijon © Office de Tourisme de Dijon - Atelier Demoulin
Burgundy – A gastronomy and wine capital
An historic and cultural area, Burgundy is most famous for its wine and gastronomy. It has become one of the most popular areas of France for its fabulous wines including Chablis, Beaune and Nuits- Saint-Georges, drawing admirers from all over the world. Rural Burgundy with its attractive countryside including the Morvan Regional Park, offers Renaissance chateaux, medieval abbeys and fortified villages all of which stand testimony to its colourful history. The region also boasts some of France’s most spectacular castles.
Auxerre and Caves de Bailly or Chateau de Tanlay.
Drive to Auxerre and enjoy some free time to walk around the town’s medieval streets. Here you can experience sights such as The Abbey St Germain and St. Stephen’s Cathedral from the 12th century. You can then choose to visit the ‘Caves de Bailly’, an underground quarry with over five million bottles of Cremant. You can also drive east and visit the Chetau de Tanley, famous for its beautiful ‘Grande Galerie’.
Dijon and Les Grands Crus.
On your third day, drive to Dijon which is the ancient and also modern capital of Burgundy. This provincial city is an astonishingly beautiful place known for its unique architecture,’toits bourgioignons’ (Burgundian polychrome roofs) and also famous for its mustard! You can then continue your journey on Route des Grands Crus, and enjoy the beautiful scenery consisting of multiple of famous vineyards.
Dates
Dates throughout 2024
Suggested itinerary by coach
Day 1
Depart the UK
Travel to either Dover (ferry) or Folkestone (Eurotunnel) for the crossing to Calais. Upon arrival in France continue to Beaune for the next four nights.
Day 2
Beaune Sightseeing
The ‘Capital of Burgundy Wines’, Beaune’s old town is town famous for its buildings with colourful roof tiles. A guided walking tour will show you the highlights of this charming town which hide within its ramparts: historical mansions, medieval half-timbered houses, flowered squares and gardens. Don’t miss its most famous building, the Hotel-Dieu, formerly a hospital and now a museum. On Saturdays, Beaune has a fabulous local market selling Burgundy produce. Enjoy some free time for shopping, sightseeing or simply taking in the ambience.
Day 3
Auxerre and Caves de Bailly
Today we enjoy some free time meandering through Auxerre’s medieval narrow streets. The Abbey St Germain and the 12th Century St. Stephens Cathedral are just some of the highlights. In the afternoon, we head south to visit the ‘Caves de Bailly’. Here, located 50 metres underground in an ancient quarry, there are over five million bottles of Cremant, a sparkling white wine, which is a regional speciality. There is a possibility to sample the Cremant along with other local wines.
Day 4
Dijon and Les Grands Crus
Today we drive to Burgundy’s capital, Dijon, one of the most beautiful provincial cities in France. A walking tour will introduce the Old Town and the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy. Dijon’s stunning architecture is distinguished by polychrome roofs, made of tiles arranged in geometric patterns. Dijon is, of course, also very famous for its mustard!
Continue along the Route des Grands Crus, passing famous vineyards such as Nuits-Saint-Georges and Vosne-Romanee. Perhaps stop at the Château de la Tour. One of the most famous vineyards of Burgundy, it is the only domain to harvest and produce its own wines and count among the famous great wines of Burgundy. The cellar is 300m from the Clos de Vougeot castle.
Day 5
Depart Beaune
Bid farewell to Burgundy and travel to Calais for the return ferry or Eurotunnel crossing to the UK.
Suggested Hotels
Mercure Beaune ****
Located 1.9 miles from the city centre and its ramparts, a 10-minute walk from the Hospices, the Mercure Beaune Centre features an outdoor swimming pool, a restaurant and free Wi-Fi throughout. The air-conditioned rooms have a private bathroom with a hairdryer, an LCD TV with satellite channels and a radio.
Novotel Beaune ****
Novotel Beaune, a designer hotel, is located in the south of Beaune. In addition to the restaurant, it offers a beautiful garden and an outdoor pool with a terrace. Each soundproofed and air-conditioned room is equipped with free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, tea and coffee making facilities and a private bathroom.
| Dates | 5 days / 4 nights |
| 2024 dates | Price on request |
