Burgundy
3
Day Itinerary •
France
Three days in Burgundy lets you explore the full extraordinary depth of France's greatest wine region, from the legendary Cote de Nuits with its Gevrey-Chambertin and Vosne-Romanee grands crus to the magnificent medieval city of Dijon, the extraordinary Hospices de Beaune and the finest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vineyards in the world. This route covers the essential Burgundy. The extraordinary walled vineyards of the Clos de Vougeot, the wine villages of Meursault and Pommard, the magnificent abbey of Citeaux where Cistercian monks still make cheese, the extraordinary mustard capital of Dijon with its ducal palace, and the finest table in France at the heart of Burgundy's culinary tradition.
Best Time To Visit
September to October or April to June
Getting There
TGV from Paris Gare de Lyon to Dijon, 1hr 40min
Getting Around
Rental car recommended, some cycling possible
Budget Per Day
Approx 100 to 170 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, walking and driving
DAY 1
DIJON
MORNING
PALAIS DES DUCS DE BOURGOGNE, THE SEAT OF BURGUNDIAN POWER
The extraordinary ducal palace at the heart of Dijon, seat of the most powerful duchy in medieval Europe. The Musee des Beaux-Arts inside is one of the finest in France. The Great Hall of the Dukes, the extraordinary carved tombs of Philip the Bold and John the Fearless, and the view from the Tour de Philippe le Bon over the old city are all extraordinary. Entry to museum approx 6 euros. Drive: 15 min walk
MIDDAY
DIJON OLD TOWN AND THE OWL TRAIL
The finest medieval old town in Burgundy. The extraordinary half-timbered houses of the rue de la Verrerie, the Eglise Notre-Dame with its extraordinary mechanical owl and the Jacquemart clock, and the covered market where the finest mustard, Epoisses cheese and pain d'epices in France are sold. Follow the bronze owl trail through 22 extraordinary historic monuments. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
MAILLE MUSTARD SHOP AND DIJON FOOD MARKET
The extraordinary Maille boutique on Place de la Liberation pumps fresh mustard from stone barrels. Fifteen varieties including Chablis and blackcurrant. The covered Les Halles market designed by Gustave Eiffel is the finest food market in Burgundy. Extraordinary local cheeses, charcuterie and wine.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Chartreuse de Champmol on the western edge of Dijon is the extraordinary 14th-century Carthusian monastery built by Philip the Bold as his dynastic mausoleum. The Well of Moses with its six extraordinary life-sized prophets by Claus Sluter is one of the greatest sculptures of the Middle Ages. Entry free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe Granville, Dijon Coffee and croissant on Place de la Liberation before the palace opens. | Lunch: Le Bistrot des Halles, Dijon Local boeuf bourguignon, oeufs en meurette and Bourgogne rouge. | Dinner: Loiseau des Ducs, Dijon One Michelin star in a medieval setting. Extraordinary Burgundian cuisine.
DAY 2
COTE DE NUITS
MORNING
GEVREY-CHAMBERTIN, THE KING OF BURGUNDY REDS
The most celebrated red wine village in Burgundy. Napoleon drank Chambertin with every meal and insisted it travel with him on campaign. The extraordinary Chateau de Gevrey-Chambertin dates from the 10th century. Walk the premiers and grands crus vineyards at the foot of the extraordinary Combe de Lavaux. Entry to chateau approx 8 euros. Drive: 15 min drive
MIDDAY
CLOS DE VOUGEOT, THE MOST FAMOUS VINEYARD IN BURGUNDY
The extraordinary walled vineyard of 50 hectares enclosed by the Cistercian monks of Citeaux in the 12th century. The Chateau du Clos de Vougeot with its four extraordinary 12th-century wine presses is the finest expression of Burgundian wine culture. The Confrerie des Chevaliers du Tastevin holds its extraordinary banquets here. Entry approx 7 euros. Drive: 10 min drive
AFTERNOON
VOSNE-ROMANEE AND THE ROMANEE-CONTI VINEYARD
The most prestigious wine village in the world. The extraordinary walled plot of the Romanee-Conti, producing the finest and most expensive wine on earth from 1.8 hectares of Pinot Noir, stands at the centre of Vosne-Romanee. Walk among the extraordinary grands crus and visit Nuits-Saint-Georges for a tasting at a small negociant.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Abbey of Citeaux, 15km east of Nuits-Saint-Georges, is the mother house of the entire Cistercian order, founded in 1098. The monks still make the extraordinary Epoisses-style Citeaux cheese sold at the abbey shop. The cloister and romanesque church are open to visitors. Entry free, cheese shop open daily.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Boulangerie in Gevrey-Chambertin Coffee and pain aux raisins before the morning vineyard walk. | Lunch: L'Etoile, Gevrey-Chambertin Extraordinary local lamb, jambon persille and Gevrey premier cru. | Dinner: La Cabotte, Nuits-Saint-Georges Outstanding bistro with extraordinary list of village and premier cru wines.
DAY 3
BEAUNE AND MEURSAULT
MORNING
HOSPICES DE BEAUNE, THE EXTRAORDINARY GOTHIC HOSPITAL
The Hotel-Dieu of Beaune, founded in 1443 by Nicolas Rolin, Chancellor of Burgundy, is the most extraordinary Gothic building in France outside Paris. The extraordinary polychrome glazed tile roof, the Grande Salle des Pauves with its original beds and the extraordinary Last Judgement altarpiece by Rogier van der Weyden are unmissable. The Hospices wine auction in November is the most celebrated in the world. Entry approx 12 euros. Drive: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
MEURSAULT, THE FINEST WHITE WINE VILLAGE IN THE WORLD
Meursault produces the greatest Chardonnay in the world. The extraordinary premiers crus of Perrieres, Charmes and Genevrieres are the finest white wines in Burgundy. The village church with its extraordinary 15th-century spire rises above the vines. Visit Domaine Comte Lafon or Domaine des Comtes Lafon for an extraordinary tasting. Several caves offer walk-in tastings. Drive: 15 min drive
AFTERNOON
POMMARD AND THE ROUTE DES GRANDS CRUS
The Route des Grands Crus from Dijon to Santenay is the most extraordinary wine road in the world. Pommard produces the finest and most structured reds of the Cote de Beaune. The extraordinary Chateau de Pommard offers the finest estate visit on the Cote with a remarkable museum of Burgundian wine culture. Entry approx 15 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Chateau de la Rochepot, 15km south of Beaune, is the finest medieval castle in Burgundy, its extraordinary polychrome tile roof matching the Hospices. Rebuilt in the 15th century and restored in the 19th, it rises above a wooded valley in extraordinary condition. Entry approx 8 euros. Fewer than 50,000 visitors a year.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Boulangerie in Beaune Coffee before the Hospices opens. The morning light on the tile roof is extraordinary. | Lunch: Le Benaton, Beaune Outstanding local cuisine with an extraordinary cellar of Beaune premiers crus. | Dinner: Ma Cuisine, Beaune The finest bistro in Beaune. Extraordinary Burgundy wine list from small growers.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Dijon, Night 1 Hotel du Nord or Hotel Wilson, central Dijon. Approx 90 to 160 euros per night. Beaune, Night 2 Hotel Le Cep or Hotel de la Paix, finest wine town hotel. Approx 110 to 180 euros. Alternatively Chambres d'hotes in a working domaine. Extraordinary experience. From approx 80 euros.
Top Tips
1. Walk the Route des Grands Crus at dawn before the tour buses arrive. The vineyards at first light are extraordinary.
2. Dijon mustard is best bought at Maille on Place de la Liberation. Fill a stoneware pot from the mustard pump.
3. The Hospices de Beaune is most extraordinary at 8am before crowds arrive. Book timed entry online.
4. Clos de Vougeot is the finest wine estate in Burgundy to tour. The 12th-century wine press is extraordinary.
5. Meursault Chardonnay is the finest white wine in the world. Buy directly from Domaine Comte Lafon.
6. The Saturday market at Beaune is the finest food market in Burgundy. Arrive early for the best cheese.
Total Budget
100 to 170 euros/day