Exploring Burgundy: The Villages, Wine, and Cuisine

Burgundy is the ultimate destination for wine enthusiasts, foodies and history buffs. It’s a landscape of rolling hills dotted with picturesque medieval villages. Its vineyards are renowned for producing some of the world’s most coveted wines. From its local bistros to Michelin starred restaurants, the cuisine is among the finest in France.

Burgundy (Bourgogne in French) is located in eastern France between Paris and Lyon. Just under two hours by TGV train from Paris, it makes a good day trip from the capital city.

If going for a day, consider a guided private or small group tour for exclusive access to smaller, family-run vineyards. Enjoy wine tastings and learn about the local culture.

An Authentic Experience of France

If you would like to fully experience Burgundy’s culture, plan a trip of 3 to 4 days. Whether you are a wine connoisseur or a casual wine drinker, you will find Burgundy interesting. Even if you don’t drink wine, there is still lots to discover.

Spring to early autumn (April–October) is ideal for weather and perfect for vineyard tours. Autumn is my favorite, the weather is cool, vineyards turn red and gold and it’s harvest season.

Renting a car provides the freedom to explore the scenic countryside at your own pace. Burgundy also has the largest network of inland waterways in France if you are interested in barging tours. You can also enjoy bike rides along the scenic Voie des Vignes (bike path through vineyards).

Slowly traveling through Burgundy lets you truly savor the “art de vivre” (art of living) that defines French culture. Unlike most tourist spots, Burgundy offers a slower, authentic French lifestyle focused on nature, tradition, and fine living. 

La Rochepot Burgundy France

Discover Burgundy’s Towns & Villages

My husband and I love traveling the back roads of Burgundy. Beyond the vineyards, it is a wonderful destination for history and medieval architecture. The region is dotted with Roman ruins, stunning chateaux, ancient abbeys and churches. Its medieval towns and villages are straight out of a storybook..

Beaune – Wine Capital of Burgundy

Beaune, known as the “wine capital” of Burgundy, lies in the very center of Burgundy’s famous ‘Côte d’Or. It makes a great base for visiting the famous villages along the wine routes in the area.

Place General Leclerc, Beaune

Over the years our hotel of choice has been Le Cep. It’s a boutique hotel in the heart of the city with valet parking. It has an elegant decor that is fitting for the 16th century building. The warm atmosphere and excellent service make it a favorite.

Even if you don’t stay in Beaune, stroll through the picturesque, narrow cobblestone streets. The medieval old town still retains its well preserved ancient ramparts. The town is compact and its easy to explore the wine cellars, artisan shops and cafes.

Hospices de Beaune

The most famous site in town is the “Hospices de Beaune.” It is definitely worth visiting. This site is a former 15th-century charitable hospital that is now a museum. It is renowned for its stunning Gothic architecture and its distinctive polychrome tiled roof.

Collégiale Basilique Notre-Dame

The Collégiale Basilique Notre-Dame is just around the corner from the Museum of Wine. The Place de la Halle, where the weekly Saturday market is held, is also nearby.

For a good bistro meal, we enjoyed Ma Cuisine. It has a rustic, casual atmosphere and serves classic hearty food. It is famous for its massive wine list featuring over 20,000 bottles.

There are several restaurants with a Michelin star in Beaune. They offer fixed-price ‘menu du jour’ lunch menus that makes having a meal more affordable.

Beaune offers a diverse range of culinary activities. There are cooking schools, mustard mill tours, truffle hunting.and wine tastings. There are many shops and wine cellars that offer tours and tastings in the center of town.

On our last visit, we made arrangements in advance for a private tour at Maison Joseph Drouhin. Their wine cellars date back centuries and cover about 2.5 acres under the historic center of Beaune. We tasted some very special wines that were truly memorable. It was a one of a kind experience.

Day Trips from Beaune

For an authentic feel of life in the French countryside, you really need to visit a few of the many nearby medieval villages as day trips from Beaune

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Châteauneuf-en-Auxois

Châteauneuf-en-Auxois is a majestic hilltop fortress overlooking the rolling plains of the Burgundy canal region. It is one of the most popular nearby medieval villages to visit from Beaune.

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Noyers-sur-Serein

Noyers-sur-Serein is a perfect destination for anyone looking for an authentic and quiet French experience.  Despite its small size, it is recognized as one of the most beautiful villages in France.

Flavigny-sur-Ozerain

Flavigny-sur-Ozerain gained international fame as the filming location for the popular movie Chocolat. The local abbey is the home of the famous Anis de Flavigny candies, which have been produced there since 1591. 

Semur-en-Auxois is built on a pink granite cliff that overlooks the Armançon river. The town’s 15th-century ramparts and towers are among the most impressive in the region. Half-timbered houses line the narrow cobblestone streets

Dijon, the capital of Burgundy, is at the beginning of the “Route des Grands Crus”. It has has beautiful architecture, interesting museums and pretty parks. The city is famous for its mustard, blackcurrant liqueur and a special gingerbread called pain d’épices. 

The Wine Trail – The Côte d’Or

The Côte d’Or wine route is a relatively small section of Burgundy known for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. It is home of some of the world’s most highly prized and expensive wines.

The Côte d’Or is divided into two sub-regions. The northerly sub-region is Côte de Nuits and the southerly one is Côte de Beaune. Beaune is in the center of the two.

Many of the vineyards are surrounded by a wall of stones known as “clos.” The Cistercian monks started this tradition in the 12th century.

For wine tastings outside of Beaune, Nuits-Saint-Georges is the largest town in the Côte d’Or after Beaune. It is an important town for Pinot Noir, offering many cellars and tastings. Meursault is known for its prestigious white wines and elegant architecture.

Culinary Journey: More Than Just Wine

Although praised for its wine, Burgundy is truly a gastronomic delight. According to the official Michelin Guide, there are over 30 starred restaurants across the region. It is world-renowned for its wine based cuisine that features Charolais beef, Bresse chicken, and Burgundy snails.

Signature dishes include Boeuf Bourguignon and Coq au Vin. Both are made with lardons, pearl onions, mushrooms, carrots, and wine. Typically served with mashed potatoes, noodles or crunchy bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.

Escargots de Bourgogne

Escargot are another specialty. Snails are cooked in white wine, onions and garlic then stuffed with butter mixed with garlic and parsley and roasted.. And that delicious butter, every drop gets mopped up with a baguette.

Gougère are one of my personal favorites. They are savory cheese puffs made with cheeses like Emmental, Comté, and Gruyère. They are usually enjoyed with a glass of wine to start off a Burgundian meal.

Cheese – A Local Delicacy

Burgundy is home to some of France’s most celebrated cheeses. I love cheese and the soft, pungent cow’s milk cheeses from this region are my personal favorites. One note about cheese, it is eaten before dessert in France.

Époisses de Bourgogne is named for the village where it’s been made for over five centuries. This cow’s milk cheese is often called the “King of Cheeses.” Its orange rind is regularly washed with a local brandy. The aroma is pungent but its flavor is mild, tangy and nutty. Its best served at room temperature when it becomes creamy enough to spoon onto a baguette.

Brillat-Savarin is a decadent triple-cream cheese named after the famous 18th-century gourmet. It has a high fat content resulting in a buttery, luscious texture and a mild, slightly tangy flavor.

Abbaye de Cîteaux is made by Cistercian monks at the Cîteaux Abbey near Nuits-Saint-Georges. It is semi-soft and known for its subtle, milky flavor.

Soumaintrain is a soft, cow’s milk cheese with a washed rind similar to Époisses but generally milder.

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A journey through Burgundy is a dream come true for those of us that love traveling, good food and wine. Oozing with charm, Burgundy’s medieval villages are straight out of a storybook.

Wine, culture, nature and unforgettable experiences await you in Burgundy. If you plan a visit, you won’t be disappointed. It is a place to slow down and savor the “art de vivre” (art of living).

Have you been to any of the villages in Burgundy?  If so, did you have a favorite? Which part of a visit to Burgundy would excite you the most…the historic sites, discovering the wines or the food?