Burgundy - from Dijon to Beaune
Burgundy, what an evocative name! Famous for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines, Burgundy houses some of the most celebrated vineyards in the world. Pommard, Meursault, Vosne-Romanée or Nuits Saint Georges are renowned for being among the best wines in the world.
But Burgundy is much more than wine. Self-drive tours in Burgundy will take you to cities such as Dijon and Beaune which definitely deserve a visit. In Beaune we will make sure that you don't miss the Hospices and have some time for a stroll through the old medieval town.
It is also a beautiful region with stunning countryside landscapes dotted with tiny villages, some of them "Plus Beaux Villages de France".
Our Self-Guided Tours in Burgundy
In Burgundy, you’ll be far from the madding crowds and you’ll get to enjoy a real taste of authentic France.
How to Get to Burgundy
Burgundy is about 3hr30 drive from Paris (center or CDG is about the same). On the way, you may visit Vaux-le-Vicomte palace and it makes a great day.
This region is perfectly located, half-way between Paris and Provence regions and it makes a formidable step if you can spend at least 3 nights - 2 full days touring Burgundy.
There are also direct TGV trains to Dijon from Paris (about 1hr40) but then in Dijon it is not guaranteed to get an automatic car rental so you may consider it only if you are ok driving a manual stick shift.
Wine Tasting in Burgundy
The Burgundy wine route is quite touristy and not always the most scenic road. However, we know local guides who will take you where classical tours can’t go. We will also provide maps of the most scenic roads in the area, guaranteeing you a much more pleasant excursion than you would have with any old tour. Away from the traditional Burgundy wine tasting tours, you will discover the some of the region’s most stunning hidden gems. Your guide will fill you with local knowledge and show you the various wineries in Cote de Beaune and Cote de Nuits.
Burgundy wines are quite expensive, even in France: a decent quality Burgundy wine will cost at least 25 to 30 euros. We can also include more wine regions to your trip.
Burgundy vineyards by Alain Doiré
Accommodation in Burgundy
We select premium B&Bs in the very heart of the wine-producing Burgundy. This way, on your self-drive tour in Burgundy, you will always be close to the wineries, Dijon or Beaune towns, allowing you to truly make the most of your time in Burgundy.
For those you would prefer to stay in the city, we can offer you a magnificent guesthouse just 100 yards from the Beaune hospices, within the surrounding medieval ramparts of the city.
We will give you a selection of our favorite restaurants where you will be able to try local culinary specialities such as truffles, escargots de Bourgogne (Burgundy snails), coq au vin (chicken braised in wine), boeuf bourguignon (beef Burgundy), oeufs en meurette (poached eggs in Burgundy red wine sauce), etc.
We will keep you away from the tourist traps offering the so called “menus bourguignon”.
Burgundy Gastronomy
La Moutarde de Dijon
Dijon, the capital of Burgundy, is famous across the globe for its mustard: moutarde de Dijon. Compared to its twin English version, the mustard produced in Dijon is mixed with vinegar, which gives it a milder taste. With this mustard, you can make a typical salad dressing: Dijon vinaigrette.
Another of Burgundy’s gastronomic wonders is its incomparable Boeuf Bourguignon. This dish is a stew prepared with Burgundy red wine sauce, onions, garlic and mushrooms. Originally a peasant meal, Boeuf Bourguignon has become a staple of French Haute de Cuisine.
Burgundy dishes - Treasures of the French cuisine
Other famous French dishes prepared with the local Burgundy wine are the coq au vin (chicken with wine), a braised chicken cooked with red wine, garlic, mushrooms and bacon, as well as the oeufs Meurette which are eggs poached in Bourgogne red wine.
Wine & Cheese in Burgundy by Alain Doiré
Burgundy Truffle
For the treasure hunters, they will enjoy a delicious Burgundy truffle, a rare mushroom. This particular truffle is considered the most qualitative of France and makes the best truffle oil or aperitive called Ratatruffe - the name sounds weird but trust us: it’s delicious! You should try our truffle mushroom pasta.
Burgundy Cheeses
When it comes to Burgundy cheeses, visitors are in for a treat. They are typically ripened with local alcohol (like in Normandy) and are a true taste sensation. The most prestigious one is l’Epoisse. On your Burgundy tour, we will offer you the chance to visit the Epoisse factory, where you will be able to taste this miraculous dairy creation, coupled with a delicious Burgundy wine. We can also plan for a trip discovering the best cheeses of France!
FAQs about Burgundy
Where is the Burgundy area of France?
Burgundy is in east-central France, about 60 miles southeast of Paris. Self-drive touring in Burgundy is very easy from Paris or CDG Airport.
What is Burgundy famous for?
Burgundy is most famous for its wine and gorgeous vineyards! In fact, it has some of the most expensive wines and vintages in the world. Dijon, the capital of Burgundy, is of course famous for its mustard. And the gorgeous town of Beaune is famous for its stunning medieval hospices. Our Burgundy tours will be tailor made to match the items you like in the above list.
What is the most famous Burgundy wine?
Over the centuries, Burgundy has become best known for producing exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines. Pommard, Meursault, Vosne-Romanée and Nuits Saint Georges are among the best wines in the world.
If you're a collector, these are some of the most famous wine producers in Burgundy:
- Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
- Domaine Leroy
- Domaine Dujac
- Domaine Georges Roumier
- Domaine Rousseau
- Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé
- Domaine Faiveley
- Domaine J.F
- Domaine Leflaive
If you're interested in focusing on wine-tasting, we would be more than happy to plan a customized self-guided wine tour of Burgundy for you.
How do I explore Burgundy?
Our favorite way to explore Burgundy is by car. It gives you the chance to travel at your own pace, stay as long as you want at each place, and discover more off-the-beaten-track villages and vineyards that organised bus tours don't go to. If you want to do plenty of wine-tasting and would prefer to have someone else drive, we recommend hiring a private wine guide for a day or two. They will be able to take you to vineyards and wineries that you wouldn't find on your own, and share their expert knowledge about each of the wines. Self-drive tours in Burgundy will give you the right pace to fully enjoy the region.
What is the best time to visit Burgundy?
Our favorite time to visit Burgundy is in September and October, during the grape harvest. The weather is still mild and the fall/autumn colors in the vineyards are absolutely stunning - ideal scenery for a road trip! And if you're there in the right time (normally early to mid September), you may be able to experience the annual grape harvest, where most harvesting is still done by hand.
Mid-to-late springtime is also a beautiful time to explore Burgundy. Summer can also be okay, but we prefer spring or fall as there are fewer tourists and more comfortable temperatures. Summer can get very hot and crowded! But don't worry - if you want to travel in summer, we will plan an itinerary that includes plenty of vineyards, wineries and other places of interest that most tourists don't know about!
