Places to visit

AUTUN - The most important city in Roman Gaul. Today the most obvious indication of its importance is the well preserved remains of the Roman Amphitheatre, which could seat some 20,000 people. One hour from Beaune by car.

ALOXE CORTON - wine village that sits on the side of the Hill of Corton, just to the north of Beaune. Home to vineyards farmed by the Roman Emperor Charlemagne, hence the wine ‘Corton Charlemagne’. An ideal place to start a walk around the hill of Corton, passing by the village of Pernand Vergelesses on the other side of the hill.

BEAUNE - the wine capital of Burgundy. Home to the Hospices de Beaune, a very well preserved Medieval Hospital in the centre of the town, and one of France’s most important tourist attractions.

BEZE - A small village to the north east of Dijon. The Abbey of Beze, which no longer exists, was founded in 629 AD, with funds from a local noble, and the vineyard Clos de Beze in Gevrey Chambertin was planted by the monks in about 636 AD. Charming village with underground grottos. Just over half an hour from Dijon by car.

BUSSIERE SUR OUCHE - small village in the Ouche valley, dominated by the Abbey de la Bussiere, a well restored Cistercian Abbey, now operated as a luxury hotel . An ideal stop for a drink on the terrace and appreciation of a fine restoration.

CHAMBOLLE MUSIGNY - ancient wine village next to Vougeot. The small church L’Eglise St Barbe, constructed in the 15c, has murals on the walls dating back hundreds of years. The doors are usually open.

CHATEAUNEUF EN AUXOIS - medieval hilltop town in the Ouche valley. Commanding views of the surrounding countryside, a beautiful small chateau, and a selection of cafes for refreshment.

CITEAUX - The remains of the Abbey de Citeaux, Mother Abbey of the Cistercian Order founded in 1098. Still a working monastery. 13km east of Nuits St George.

COMMARIN - THE CHATEAU https://www.commarin.com/ - magnificent ancient chateau in the Ouche valley, it has never been sold, and is now owned by the 26th generation. A ‘must’ visit.

CLUNY - The Abbey of Cluny was where the Benedictine Order was founded in Burgundy. Construction started in the 9c, and for 400 years the Abbey was the largest building for Christian worship in the western world. The magnificent Abbey was destroyed by the Revolution, but the remains give some idea of its original size and scale

CONCOEUR - Tiny village on the top of the Cote behind Vosne Romanee. On the Chemin des Moines from the Abbey of St Vivant de Vergy. The organic Ferme de Fruit Rouges has a charming small shop selling blackcurrant liquor, red fruit jams and other local products. http://www.fruirouge.fr/

CURTIL VERGY - small village on the side of the Hill of Vergy, in the Hautes Cotes behind Vosne Romanee. Home to the remains of the Abbey St Vivant, whose monks first planted the vines of Romanee Conti. A good friendly village restaurant Au Petit Bonheur https://www.restaurantaupetitbonheur.com/ and a good place to start a fine walk around the Hill of Vergy

DIJON - The capital of Burgundy. A very well preserved Medieval Quarter. The Owls Trail is a well thought out tourist walk that takes in all the most important historical sites.

DIJON MARKET - One of France’s great markets. A must for food lovers. Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturday mornings only.

FALLOT MUSTARD FACTORY - in Beaune. The last artisan mustard maker in Burgundy. Visits and mustard shop for tasting and purchase. https://www.fallot.com/en/

FIXIN - small wine village 3km to the north of Gevrey Chambertin, home to the Parc Noisot with its 100 steps up the Cote, one step for each day of The Restoration. Worth a visit.

FONTENAY - A magnificently preserved early Cistercian Abbey, now a Unesco World Heritage Site. Just over an hour from Dijon by car. https://www.abbayedefontenay.com/en/

FORTERESSE DE THIL - https://www.forteresse-de-thil.fr/ a French couple doing a valiant job of preserving one of Burgundy’s iconic monuments

GEVREY CHAMBERTIN - mythical wine village in the heart of the Grand Crus vineyards

GUEDELON https://www.guedelon.fr/en/ a Medieval chateau constructed entirely using medieval methods, anticipated to complete in 2030. Some 60 plus volunteers engaged in creating a modern masterpiece. Enlightening, and a big visitor attraction in west Burgundy, not far from the A6

HILL OF VERGY - small hill in the Hautes Cotes behind Gevrey Chambertin, From the 6c to 1610 there was fortified chateau on the top of the hill, the remains of which can just about be seen today. Save for one tower - the Tower of St Denis, it was demolished on the orders of the King of France in 1610 at the end of the religious wars. There is a beautiful church, on the northern side of the hill, which dates back to the 12c, but is sadly usually closed. Just below the Church there is an artisan jewellery workshop -Firouza, run by a young couple who used to work for Cartier https://www.firouza.fr/

HOSPICES DE BEAUNE - http://hospices-de-beaune.com/index.php?/hospicesdebeaune/L-Hotel-Dieu/English The most important tourist attraction in Burgundy. A magnificently preserved medieval hospital from the 15c that was operational until well into the 20c. Self funded from the proceeds of sales of wine from the vineyards with which the Hospices has been endowed over the centuries. The story of one of the two founders, Guigone de Salins, can be found here.

LANGRES - originally the capital of Burgundy, a fortified hilltop city, 70km to the north of Dijon

MEURSAULT - THE CHATEAU- http://www.chateau-meursault.com/ world famous wine village, with a well restored tourist attraction, the Chateau de Meursault

PERNAND VERGELESSES - ancient wine village, which nestles behind the Hill of Corton. Panoramic views of the Cote de Beaune from a fine picnic spot at the top of the hill above the village

POMMARD - THE CHATEAU https://chateaudepommard.com/ is another well restored Chateau and enjoyable visit, now in the hands of a US software entrepreneur.

PULIGNY MONTRACHET - world famous wine village, with excellent hotel and restaurant Le Montrachet

ROCHEPOT -THE CHATEAU https://chateau-de-la-rochepot.com/

ST ROMAIN - a beautiful ancient wine village, which wends its way up the escarpment, with a magnificent small church at the top. A good village restaurant Hotel Les Roches, half way up, and some fine good value wine making

VEZELAY https://www.basiliquedevezelay.org/ For a long time the Basilique was thought to contain the remains of Mary Magdalen.

VOUGEOT http://www.closdevougeot.fr/en/ Originally wine making buildings for the Cistercian Order at Citeaux. Over the centuries, developed by the Order as a beautiful chateau. Now home to La Confrerie du Chevaliers du Tastevin http://www.tastevin-bourgogne.com/en/ an organisation established to promote Burgundy wine in the 1930’s at the time of the Great Depression. Now there are Chapters around the world, and at Vougeot dinners are held six times a year, when upwards of 600 people make merry to welcome the inauguration of new Chevaliers. Sadly only the ground floor is open for visits, but the medieval wine presses have been well preserved. The last week in June each year,musique the Chateau is host to Burgundy’s most memorable music festival Musique et Vin, http://www.musiqueetvin-closvougeot.com/?lang=en when David Chan, a great Burgundy fan, and a Leader of the New York Met, visits Burgundy, with a selection of his orchestra, and a fine group of friends. The charity auction at the gala dinner on the final Sunday usually raises the best part of €1m for talented young musicians. Tickets usually on sale from early April. A very special event.

WINE GUIDE

With a wine guide, you get a half or full day tour with a knowledgeable guide, who can tell you about the history of wine making in Burgundy, the vineyards and the work that takes place in them, and also the wine making process. Contact information for some of the guides who have successfully looked after our clients are below.

Stephanie Mancusot http://www.burgundywinetours.fr/index.html

Sherry Thevenot http://bourgogne-authentique.com/about-us/

Burgundy Discovery http://www.burgundydiscovery.com/

Authentica Tours https://www.authentica-tours.com/