France

Burgundy (Bourgogne)

Region

Burgundy (Bourgogne) in eastern France is known for wine, history, and gastronomy. Highlights include the vineyards of the Côte d'Or, Romanesque churches and abbeys like Vézelay, Cluny, and Fontenay, and the Ducal Palace in Dijon.Additionally, you'll find medieval towns and canals where you can travel by houseboat or cycle along the canalside path.

Burgundy (Bourgogne), nestled in the heart of France, is a region you'll discover through its rich history, excellent gastronomy, and world-renowned wines. In Dijon, the former capital of the Dukes of Burgundy, the Ducal Palace and the Museum of Fine Arts impress. Beaune, the hub of the wine trade, is home to the Gothic Hospices de Beaune with their colorful roof, a masterpiece of medieval architecture. Along the Route des Grands Crus, you'll discover renowned vineyards from the Côte de Nuits to the Côte de Beaune, tasting fine Pinot Noir and Chardonnay directly from the winemakers. The Romanesque abbeys of Cluny and Fontenay bear witness to the region's profound religious and cultural significance in the Middle Ages. For a relaxed exploration of the vineyards and historical sites, spring or autumn are ideal to avoid the summer crowds. Also, plan time for the local markets and tasting regional specialties like Dijon mustard.

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Gevrey-Chambertin

Gevrey-Chambertin is a wine village on the Côte de Nuits, roughly twelve kilometers south of Dijon. The commune boasts nine Grand Cru vineyards, including Chambertin and Chambertin-Clos de Bèze – more than any other village in Burgundy.

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Chalon-sur-Saône

Chalon-sur-Saône, nestled on the banks of the Saône in Southern Burgundy, boasts a history dating back to Gallo-Roman times.

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Beaune

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Cluny

Cluny, nestled in the heart of Burgundy, is intrinsically linked to its once mighty Benedictine abbey. The Abbaye de Cluny was the centre of monastic reform in the Middle Ages and the largest church in Christendom before St. Peter's Basilica in Rome was built.

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More places in Burgundy (Bourgogne)

Dijon

Dijon, Burgundy's historic capital, boasts rich cultural heritage and a distinct food culture. Its focal point is the Palais des Ducs et des États de Bourgogne, home to the Musée des Beaux-Arts. Old Town features half-timbered houses, noble palaces, Notre-Dame Church, and Saint-Bénigne Cathedral. Dijon mustard is integral to the city; taste it in local mustard shops. Les Halles, a cast-iron and glass market hall, was built 1873-1875 by city architect Louis-Clément Weinberger, inspired by Eiffel designs. The "Parcours de la Chouette", marked with owl plaques, offers a good tour of the sights. Spring and autumn are pleasant and less crowded.

Dole

Dole, on the Doubs in the Jura department of Franche-Comté, was capital of the Free County of Burgundy until the 17th century. In the old town, you'll find narrow streets, canals, and bourgeois houses. Above the rooftops, the 73-meter-high tower of the Collégiale Notre-Dame rises, a 16th-century church. Louis Pasteur was born here, his birthplace now a museum. Along the Canal des Tanneurs, the old tanners' quarter called 'Petite Venise,' and on the banks of the Doubs, it's peaceful. At the weekly market, you'll find regional products. Spring and autumn are mild and less crowded.

Vézelay

Vézelay is situated on a hill in northern Burgundy at the edge of the Morvan. Above the village stands the Basilica of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine, a masterpiece of Romanesque art and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979. Here, Bernard of Clairvaux called for the Second Crusade in 1146, and it marks the starting point for one of the four major Ways of St. James to Santiago de Compostela. Inside, the bright nave and the sculpted capitals are well worth seeing. The village, with its cobbled lanes, galleries, and small shops, winds its way up the hill. It's quietest in the early morning and outside of peak season.

Pommard

Pommard is a wine village on the Côte de Beaune, a few kilometers south of Beaune. It is known for its robust Pinot Noir red wines. Amidst stone houses, wineries, and vineyards, you can taste and stroll.

Meursault

Meursault is a wine village on the Côte de Beaune, a few kilometers south of Beaune. It is known primarily for its Chardonnay white wines. The village features stone houses, wineries, the Gothic church of Saint-Nicolas with its tall tower, and the town hall with a colorful tiled roof.

Sights in Burgundy (Bourgogne)

Discover the most important sights and attractions

Herzogspalast von Dijon

The Palais des Ducs et des États de Bourgogne in Dijon was the residence of the Dukes of Burgundy, who played a significant role in Europe in the late Middle Ages. The building combines medieval sections, such as the 15th-century Tour Philippe le Bon, with classical wings from the 17th and 18th centuries.Today, the palace houses the City Hall and the Musée des Beaux-Arts, featuring the tombs of Dukes Philip the Bold and John the Fearless. Over 300 steps lead up the approximately 46-meter-high Tour Philippe le Bon; from the top, you can gaze over the rooftops of Dijon and, on a clear day, as far as the Alps.Our tip: Access to the tower is only possible with a guided tour, and spots are limited; so book in advance at the Tourist Office.

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Musée des Beaux-Arts

Ehemaliger Palast der Herzöge von Burgund mit bedeutenden Sammlungen westlicher Kunst vom 14. bis 19. Jh.

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Notre-Dame de Dijon

The church of Notre-Dame de Dijon is a major work of 13th-century Burgundian Gothic. Its west facade features three rows of decorative gargoyles without drainage function. On the tower on the facade, the Jacquemart strikes the hours: The figure came to Dijon in 1382 as war booty of Philip the Bold from Kortrijk; his "family" Jacqueline, Jacquelinet, and Jacquelinette were added in the following centuries. Inside, you'll see 13th-century stained-glass windows and the revered Black Madonna Notre-Dame de Bon-Espoir. On the north side sits the small owl (la chouette); tradition has it that you touch it with your left hand and make a wish.Our Tip: In the early morning, the facade is well-lit and it's still quiet.

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Natural History Museum

The Muséum d'histoire naturelle of Dijon is located in the Jardin de l'Arquebuse, the city's botanical garden near the train station. Its collections range from the geology and fossils of Burgundy to taxidermied animals from the region and around the world. Thousands of plant species grow in the adjacent garden.Our tip: Combine your museum visit with a stroll through the Jardin de l'Arquebuse; it's quiet there on weekday mornings.

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Colombière Park

The Parc de la Colombière in southern Dijon was laid out in the 17th century as a French garden, reportedly by a pupil of André Le Nôtre. Long avenues, lined with old trees, give the park a strict geometric layout. The park preserves remains of the Roman Via Agrippa. Today, it's popular for walks, with playgrounds and a small animal enclosure.Our Tip: It's quietest early morning and on weekdays.

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Dining & Drinks

L'Age de Raisin

Bar in 67 Rue Berbisey.

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La Maison des Cariatides

Restaurant in 28 Rue Chaudronnerie.

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Le Bouchon Du Palais

Restaurant in 4 Rue Bouhier.

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de Neuville – Chocolat français

Bakery in 27 Rue des Forges.

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Les Berthom

Bar in 32 Rue Monge.

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Dining & Drinks

Burgundy cooks with red wine, butter, and beef. The region is also one of the world's most important wine regions, and its cuisine consistently reflects this.

Boeuf bourguignon and Coq au vin

Both braises use red wine, bacon, onions, and mushrooms. They take hours and are a staple in any traditional spot.

Oeufs en meurette

Poached eggs in red wine sauce with bacon and mushrooms. A Burgundian starter rarely found outside the region.

Wines of the Côte d'Or

From Dijon to Santenay, plot after plot lines up, almost all from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The Climats have been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2015.

Époisses and Comté

The robust, Marc-washed rind cheese from Burgundy and the mountain cheese from the neighboring Jura form the usual cheese platter.

Kir

Aligoté white wine with Crème de cassis from Dijon is the standard aperitif. Topped with Champagne, it's called Kir Royal; with Crémant de Bourgogne, Kir Pétillant.

Burgundy's Cultural Heritage

Burgundy boasts a rich cultural and historical heritage. At Alésia, in 52 BC, the Gallic leader Vercingetorix was defeated by Caesar's troops. In the Late Middle Ages, the Duchy of Burgundy played a significant role in Europe under the Valois dukes.Its architecture is diverse. The Abbey of Cluny, in the High Middle Ages, was the center of a monastic reform with a network of monasteries across Europe; its church was for centuries the largest in Christendom. The Basilica of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine in Vézelay and the Cistercian Abbey of Fontenay are UNESCO World Heritage sites. The Palace of the Dukes in Dijon combines a 15th-century late Gothic tower with 17th and 18th-century Neoclassical wings.Viticulture is closely linked to the region's identity: the “Climats” – precisely demarcated vineyard plots of the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune – have been UNESCO World Heritage sites since 2015. Burgundian cuisine, with dishes like Boeuf bourguignon and Dijon mustard, is an integral part of daily life.

Local discoveries

By TrainYou can reach Dijon from Paris by TGV in just over an hour and a half; Beaune and Chalon-sur-Saône follow on the regional line heading south. Between Dijon and Beaune, regional trains run regularly, with a journey time of around 20 to 25 minutes.To the Wine VillagesThe Grand-Cru villages of the Côte d'Or are located along the Route des Grands Crus between Dijon and Santenay. Buses operate, but infrequently; by car or bike, you'll have significantly more freedom. The blood alcohol limit in France is 0.5, which should be factored in for tasting days.By Bike and on the WaterThe Voie des Vignes follows small roads and farm tracks through the vineyards from Beaune to Santenay and is largely flat. Another cycle path runs alongside the Canal de Bourgogne, and houseboats can be rented on the canal itself without a license.

Round trips through this region

Burgundy Wine Route

From Dijon, you drive south along the Route des Grands Crus via Gevrey-Chambertin to Beaune and on through the wine villages of Pommard and Meursault. Finally, you reach Chalon-sur-Saône; hardly any stage takes longer than 30 minutes.

9 Days

6 stops

Nearby

Dijon

Gevrey-Chambertin

Beaune

Beaune is the historical centre of the Burgundy wine trade and boasts a well-preserved old town within its ramparts. Its landmark is the Hôtel-Dieu of the Hospices de Beaune, a hospital founded in 1443 with a colourful, glazed tile roof. In its lanes, you'll find numerous wine cellars, wine houses, and shops. The town is an excellent starting point for the vineyards of the Côte d'Or and for tastings. It's quieter in spring and autumn than in summer; the famous Hospices wine auction takes place on the third weekend of November.

Pommard

Dole

Dining & Drinks

Burgundy cooks with red wine, butter, and beef. The region is also one of the world's most important wine regions, and its cuisine consistently reflects this.

Boeuf bourguignon and Coq au vin

Both braises use red wine, bacon, onions, and mushrooms. They take hours and are a staple in any traditional spot.

Oeufs en meurette

Poached eggs in red wine sauce with bacon and mushrooms. A Burgundian starter rarely found outside the region.

Wines of the Côte d'Or

From Dijon to Santenay, plot after plot lines up, almost all from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The Climats have been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2015.

Époisses and Comté

The robust, Marc-washed rind cheese from Burgundy and the mountain cheese from the neighboring Jura form the usual cheese platter.

Kir

Aligoté white wine with Crème de cassis from Dijon is the standard aperitif. Topped with Champagne, it's called Kir Royal; with Crémant de Bourgogne, Kir Pétillant.

Burgundy's Cultural Heritage

Local discoveries