A Taste of Burgundy
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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
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Quartier Vauban, Dijon © Office de Tourisme de Dijon - Atelier Demoulin
Located in the heart of France, Burgundy is an historic and cultural area but is most famous 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.
Dates
On request
Suggested itinerary by coach
Day 1
Depart the UK
Travel to either Dover and take the ferry across to Calais or Dunkirk. Upon arrival in France continue to the Lille/Arras area for an overnight stop. Dinner is included at the hotel this evening.
Day 2
Travel to Beaune
Depart after breakfast and continue the journey south via Reims to the hotel in Beaune for the next 4 nights. Check-in and relax before enjoying dinner in the hotel this evening.
Day 3
Beaune Sightseeing, Mustard and Wine
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.
Later, make a visit of the family owned Fallot Mustard Mill for a guided tour and tasting. They produce 5% of the mustard made in France and for mustard fans, they have an extra treat – a mustard museum in the town of Beaune. Thirty different mustards are made here and they’re used by top chefs all over France, including the legendary Paul Bocuse.
Continue to the Caves Bailly Lapierre for a tasting of sparkling Cremant wine. 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.
Return to the hotel for dinner and evening at leisure.
Day 4
Auxerre and Semur-en-Auxois
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.
After lunch (not included) drive to the village of Semur-en-Auxois, renowned for its well-preserved medieval architecture and ramparts.
Return to the hotel via Flavigny-sur-Ozerain, “One of the most beautiful villages in France”, famous for its abbey and aniseed candies.
Dinner is at the hotel this evening.
Day 5
Dijon and Route Des 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!
After some free time for lunch continue along the Route des Grands Crus, passing famous vineyards such as Nuits-Saint-Georges and Vosne-Romanee making a stop of the Chateau de Marsannay, a 40-hectare, 100% organic estate with a visitor centre. cellars where barrels and bottles age in the best conditions. Enjoy and guided visit and tasting before heading back to the hotel.
Dinner is at the hotel this evening.
Day 6
Depart Beaune
Bid farewell to Burgundy and travel north, making an overnight stop en-route to the port. Dinner is included at the hotel this evening.
Day 7
Return to the UK
After breakfast, continue the homeward journey to Calais or Dunkirk and take the ferry across 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. FREE on site coach parking.
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.
| Departure date | 7 days / 6 nights | Single supplement |
| On request |
