Road Trip Through Burgundy
In spite of it being relatively smaller than the wine-producing stalwarts like Bordeaux, the Burgundy region of France (knows as “Bourgogne” in France) produces some of the best varieties of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the World. Under two hours from Paris by car, this region offers much beyond wines – delicious cheeses, majestic chateaux riddled with scandalous stories, picturesque villages with Romanesque heritage – this is where history & gastronomy unite!
Trip Highlights
- Begin your trip with a short 2 hour drive from Paris to Auxerre and marvel at the 13th century cathedral known for its extraordinary stained glass windows
- Explore Chablis-the northernmost of Burgundy’s five wine regions – known for its dry Chardonnay
- Continue to the medieval walled town of Vézelay- listed as one of the Plus Beaux Villages (most beautiful villages) of France – the hightlight is the UNESCO listed Basilique Sainte Marie-Madeleine
- The medieval Palais des Ducs at the historic center of Dijon (known for its mustard) lets you imagine the grandiose lives of the Dukes and the Duchesses, while the Musée des Beaux-Arts, which ranks among the best art museums in France
- Drive through the Côte de Nuits vineyards which produce some of the most exclusive and expensive Pinot Noir wines in the World
- The charming historic town of Beaune and its iconic 15th century Hôtel-Dieu (Hospices de Beaune) – with it’s distinctive Flemish Gothic architecture will take your breath away
- Visit the imposing 12th century Château de Châteauneuf, perched on a rocky hill, overlooking the valley and the Burgundy Canal
Which Visa Do I Need
Indian citizens require Schengen Visa for visiting France. It is processed by VFS and issued by the Consulates of France in all the Indian metro cities.
Length of Stay
We recommend at least 5-6 days for this itinerary. You may want to add a few nights at the beginning or end of the trip to spend in Paris
Best time to visit
This region is best visited before the grapes harvest season in October, while the winter months of November-January tend to be cold, with short days, and many attractions are closed, or work on limited hours.
scenic countryside, vineyards & wine tasting, gastronomy, medieval & roman architecture, stay in a château
Did you know
- Even though they produces less than 3% of the wine in France, the vineyards of Burgundy are one of the most expensive real estates in France – almost 80% of the wine produced in this region is from the Pinot Noir (red varietal) and Chardonnay (white varietal). .
- Burgundy is the birthplace of Dijon mustard, first used in the 14th century, and became popular in 1856, when vinegar, one of the main ingredients in mustard, was replaced with verjus — the juice of unripe grapes.
- The Romanesque Cluny Abbey was the largest church in the world for a few years in the 4th century until it was overtaken by the famous St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
- Aligoté grape varietal was used by the Burgundians to create a cocktail named ‘Kir’. Tipically served as an aperitif, it is made with crème de cassis (blackcurrant liqueur) and topped up with Aligoté or with sparkling wine (and if the sparkling wine happens to be Champagne, the cocktail is called Kir Royale)
- While people often use these words interchangeably, Château and Domaine don’t have the same meaning in France. A château would refer to a single estate surrounded by vineyards, while a Domaine is when a single winemaker owns small parcels of vineyards scattered around different villages. In general, Burgundy’s best wines will be Domaines while Chateaux will be Bordeaux’s best wines.
