Travel Guides: All Countries / Europe / France / Burgundy
 |  | Destination Guide : Burgundy |
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| | | Burgundy cuts the mustard |  | Why go on holiday to Burgundy?
This former dukedom once held sway as the most powerful region of France, before it joined the rest of the country in 1477. Today, Burgundy is famous for its wines and cuisine, medieval houses, churches and monasteries, Roman ruins, and hundreds of miles of marked trails for walkers and cyclists, many of which cut through some of France's most beautiful viticulture areas. Waterway fans also have more than 745 miles of picturesque rivers and canals to chug along.
How much does it cost?
From about £400 for a week's self-drive package around the region's vineyards between May and September and £700 for a week's wine tour with tastings, some meals and B&B in high season. Three-night specials offering self-drive breaks in Dijon for two people, with ferry crossings, cost from about £100.
When should I go?
The weather is warmest in June to September, with average highs ranging from 24-27C/75F-81F. Spring and autumn are nice times to visit Burgundy, in east central France, when the climate is still pleasant and there are fewer crowds.
Top towns to visit?
Dijon in the Cote d'Or is Burgundy's capital. Mustard production is big business here, but if going for that reason isn't to your taste, visit Dijon for its beautiful medieval and renaissance buildings, as well as the Musee des Beaux-Arts, one of France's most renowned museums.
Auxerre's port is an excellent base for canal boat holidays and visiting the Chablis vineyards of northern Burgundy.
Wine buffs should head for Macon, on the Saone River 46 miles north of Lyon, to see where the pricey vintage Pouilly Fuisse is produced.
How do I keep busy?
Meander along 746 miles of waterways on a boat holiday on the Yonne, Saone and Sielle rivers and a web of canals and cycle or walk along sections on the GR2, GR7 and GR76 trails.
Parc Naturel Regional du Morvan has 435 miles of woods, lakes and green hills where you can walk, go mountain biking, horse riding, fishing, rock climbing and tackle other outdoor pursuits.
Hot air ballooning over Burgundy is possible too, for a price, from April to October.
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| | | Grape expectations | | Where's the wine?
The town of Beaune is Burgundy's unofficial capital and a cracking place to go wine tasting. There are umpteen venues to try, but recommended ones include Marche aux Vins, Patriarche Pere et Fils (which lets you sample 13 wines) and Lycee Viticole, where students learn the art of production. Most of the region is full of vineyards offering wine-tasting sessions.
Any remarkable buildings?
The spectacular Hotel-Dieu des Hospices de Beaune, a charity hospital founded in 1443, is gothic in style with a roof of colourful tiles. Tours of the impressive Abbaye de Fontenay reveal how the region's Cistercian monks used to live in medieval times.
Medieval Vezelay, a tiny walled village plonked in the middle of some truly gorgeous countryside, and its Basilique Ste Madeleine, founded in the 880s, witnessed gatherings of kings prior to the third Christian Crusade.
We love a good Roman ruin
Autun (formerly Augustodunum) was one of Roman France's most influential cities, and consequently had lovely buildings lavished upon it. See a restored 16,000-seat theatre, a temple of Janus, and walk along the city walls, part of which date from Roman times.
Good times of year to go?
Two of the area's best special events are the Folkloriades Internationales et Fetes de la Vigne, a week-long dance festival held in late August or September; and the Foire Internationale et Gastronomique at the Parc des Expositions, from October 31 to November 11, where foodies can gorge on dishes from Burgundy and around the world.
Dijon hosts a varied programme of cultural events during L'Estivade in late June to July.
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| | | Activities for all the family | | Where's good for nightlife?
Dijon has a perky social scene with most clubs and bars centred around place de la Republique. Find out what's going on in the free monthly publication Dijon Culture, available in tourist offices.
In larger towns elsewhere expect to find lively music bars, cafes and brasseries.
What's the food like?
In a word, delicious. Burgundy's signature dish is boeuf bourguignon - beef marinated in red wine, mushrooms, onions, carrots and bacon. Dishes made with similar sauces are typical, while cream is often added as well.
If you love mustard tuck into andouillette de Macon, a small sausage cooked with Dijon mustard. For a taste of the exotic, Burgundy's black escargots (snails) are the tastiest in France.
What should I buy?
Wine of course - and lots of it. Tasty Dijon mustard, cheeses, creme de cassis, balsamic vinegar, mustard pots and antiques are also worth looking at.
What is there for children to do?
Plenty of outdoor activities such as horse riding, sailing, canal boating, cycling (little ones can be carried on special seats) and swimming are available. The Arquebus botanical garden in Dijon has play areas for youngsters. Children of all ages are generally welcome in French restaurants, which is handy when you're in one of the country's gastronomic centres.
Tourist office
Maison de la France, 178 Piccadilly, London W1V 0AL. Tel. 09068 244123 (60p per minute).
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| | Available rental properties in Burgundy |
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| |  | | Les Bruyeres
A pleasant house bordering on the nature park - Le Morvan and the Côte d?Or. The house is located on its own 1 ha land. There is a beautiful lake of a
|  | | La Vieille
Situated in the heart of the Bourgogne and located in a village in the ?Parc régional du Morvan?, this is a cosy and warmly furnished, very spacious d
|  | | La Motte
This simple furnished little chalet is situated on a unique location along the Lac de Pannecière. (10m distance). Within walking distance from the vil
|  | | Le Gui
Detached nature stone house (60m2). The building is a former hay shed, which has diverse authentic elements, like the big shed doors, a feeding trough
|  | | Moulin de Vaupranges
You are in the "Parc Naturel Régional Morvan", in the centre of France.
You will discover unspoilt nature you only knew from tales here. The Mo
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