Burgundy is the heart of France. Literally it is, because it lies in the center of the country and is one of the main places for the production of wine, the true “nectar” that makes France famous worldwide. The capital is the city of Dijon, but other interesting centers include Auxerre, Besançon, Cluny, and Nevers, and almost all of these towns live off their wine-related economies. The town of Beaune in particular is considered the “wine capital of Burgundy” as it is located at the heart of the best Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vineyards. If you love wine and beautiful landscapes, even in autumn, come and enjoy the beauty of Burgundy!
How to get to Burgundy
Burgundy is a central region and therefore crisscrossed by many transport routes. Served by highways, railways, and alternative routes, it has three airports. Two, Dijon Airport (DIJ) and Dole Airport (DLE), are located within the region; Lyon-St. Exupéry International Airport (LYS), instead, is 200 km away and is well connected by private transfers that can be booked conveniently from home, for example by Transfeero website.
The wine region
The hallmark of Burgundy wineries is quality. The focus is on the flavor of the wine, not the number of bottles produced. Indeed, the vineyards are small, and they harvest only a small number of bunches, which are then carefully processed and aged in fine barrels. The grapes of this area are Chardonnay, which also originates from these lands, and Pinot Noir. Two areas in particular epitomize the fame of Burgundy’s entire production: the Nuits Side (north of Beaune) and the Beaune Side (south of the city).
Burgundy wines are paired with very specific flavors. And the local cuisine highlights them with meat dishes (beef Bourgogne), snails, hams (blue ham, Chablisienne ham), cheeses, and mushrooms. Among the itineraries in Burgundy, one to discover local flavors is also an excellent idea.
Itineraries in Burgundy
The first itinerary to consider is, indeed, wine and local flavors tastings. Simply explore the region’s wineries—for example, the Nuits tour, the tour of the territory south of Beaune, the Rue des Grand Crus route, or the Cités des Climats route which, in addition to Beaune, also includes Chablis and Mâcon. The best wineries to visit are: La Chablisienne, Domaines Albert Bichot, Domaine de Montmaine, Lambrays, Château de Meursault, Antonin Rodet, Domaine Frédéric Berne, and Château des Bachelards. There are countless ideas and tour operators to help you choose the “wine route” that best suits you.
Another interesting itinerary is the historical one, which will take you to admire the region’s splendid medieval cities. Dijon, of course, with its Palace of the Dukes, the Le Bon Tower, and the spectacular “Pedestrian Route of the Owl” through centuries-old architecture. You shall visit Besançon, with its citadel overlooking the river and the many museums; Cluny, with its abbey and medieval village dominated by the Cheese Tower (open to visitors) offering spectacular views from the top; Beaune and its wine cellars; Auxerre, the “Florence of Burgundy” with its Gothic churches, ancient palaces, museums, and bohemian atmosphere; Nevers, centered around its mighty ducal palace; Avallon, where monuments like the collegiate church of Saint-Lazare, the Clock Tower, the ramparts, and the Mansions of the Lords of Domecy will make you feel like you’re in a knight’s fairytale!
Burgundy offers unique natural landscapes that can also be admired by bicycle or on horseback! Try the many nature trails along ancient medieval paths or through protected nature reserves. You’ll visit places such as Lake Saint-Agnan, the peat bogs of Montsauche-les-Settons, the Morvan Regional Park, the Vaux Valley Botanical Trail, the Bresse Lakes Trail, and the Lison and Verneau springs trail.
The famous abbeys
Burgundy, in addition to its wine, is world-famous for being home to the oldest and best-preserved Cistercian abbey. A magnificent and huge architectural monument, it was once home to a famous saint! The Abbey of Ferté-Fontenay, in fact, was founded in 1118 by Bernard of Clairvaux and welcomes hundreds of thousands visitors each year. It often serves as a film set (the film “Cyrano de Bergereac” starring Gérard Depardieu was filmed here). To stay on the theme, you can follow the saint’s footsteps to his home abbey, Clairvaux itself, located 206 km—a two-hour drive—away.
