Burgundy Travelers Recommend

Dijon may be most famous for its mustard but the centuries-old city is also a popular pilgrimage point for wine lovers; the capital of the Burgundy region is just a short trip from many of France’s top vineyards. Three days in Dijon give you enough time sample wine and go city sightseeing. Here’s how.

Day 1: City Explorations

Attractive, walkable, and bursting with heritage architecture, Dijon is one of France’s most accessible cities. Dedicate your first day to discovering local delicacies on a food tour that covers Les Halles Market. Here, see how locals shop and taste staples of Burgundian cuisine, which include gingerbread, gougères (cheese puffs), and, of course, Dijon mustard.

Once your appetite is sated, continue exploring Dijon’s UNESCO-listed city center on a walking tour. Old Town highlights include the Church of Notre-Dame, which dates back to the 13th century and the lavish Palace of the Dukes and Estates of Burgundy. Head inside for a closer look and drop by the Musée des Beaux-Arts housed within its walls. As the day winds down, enjoy dinner at one of the city’s traditional bistros: you’ll want to prepare yourself for the wine tastings ahead.

Day 2: Discovering the Côte de Nuits

The Côte d’Or, a limestone ridge in the heart of the region, is best known for the quality of its vines. The wineries in the area are celebrated as some of the world’s best, and the Côte d’Or is divided into two main subregions which specialize in pinot noir and chardonnay respectively.

Tasting tours give you the chance to explore both regions without having to worry about navigating; a number of half- and full-day tours depart from Dijon, so you can leave the logistics (and the driving) to someone else. Tours typically include a hearty breakfast and give you the chance to venture into the vines, explore heritage cellars, and do plenty of tasting. Plus, as you wind your way along the Route des Grands Crus, you’ll discover heralded communes such as Gevrey-Chambertin, Nuits-Saint-Georges, and Vosne-Romanée.

Day 3: Day Tripping on the Côte de Beaune

Dedicate your third and final day in Burgundy to discovering the Côte de Beaune region. Comprising Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Pommard, and Chassagne-Montrachet, the area is packed with world-class communes. One day gives you enough time to wend your way through medieval villages, glimpse the climats (traditional wine-growing parcels) that dot the landscape, and even drop by some of the top-rated domaines (winemakers) in the area.

A number of full-day tours provide access to the region’s coveted villages and wineries, and typically include tastings, behind-the-scenes tours, and rouns-trip transport, which allows you to admire the sights of the Route des Grands Crus and sip without stress. Many also stop in the heritage town of Beaune. Regarded as the capital of the Burgundy wine region, Beaune boasts striking landmarks (including the Hospices de Beaune) and traditional eateries.

Located 162 miles (260 kilometers) southeast of Paris, the charming, medieval town of Beaune is regarded as the capital of the Burgundy wine region. Visitors use Beaune as a jumping-off point to discover some of the world’s most heralded wineries. If you have just one day in town—or are visiting from Paris or Dijon—here’s how to explore.

Morning: Beaune Sightseeing

Small but mighty, Beaune is replete with charm—and, thanks to its proximity to the Côte d’Or, is considered one of the best places to indulge in winery visits and wine tastings in all of France. Before you get to sipping, acquaint yourself with walkable Beaune with a stroll around town; look out for its old city walls as you go. The majestic Hôtel-Dieu des Hospices, a former hospital that dates to the 15th century, is recognizable for its multicolored roof tiles, while Notre-Dame de Beaune and the Beaune Town Hall offer further sightseeing opportunities. You can also drop into the Maison des Climats for an introduction to the region’s winemaking traditions.

Afternoon: Vinous Indulgence

Wine is Beaune’s raison d’être, and no visit to the Burgundian town is complete without taking advantage of its vinous plenty. If you’re short on time, single-winery tours and curated tastings offer the perfect introduction to the region. For a more lengthy excursion, travel by car or by bike to the major Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune wine areas. Discover the region’s distinctive climats (wine plots), visit its heralded domaines (vineyards), and venture to its famed communes (including the likes of Meursault, Pommard, and Nuits-Saint-Georges). Pinot noir and chardonnay are the two major grapes of this region, and you’d be wise to taste widely while at the source. Pick a tour with a lunch option to fortify you for your sampling adventures.

Evening: Take to the Skies

Beaune and the surrounding Burgundy countryside are famed for their extraordinary beauty, and there are few better ways to soak up the scenery—and cap off your day’s adventures—than with a sunset hot-air-balloon ride. As you float gently above the tree line, you can enjoy panoramic views of the region’s vineyards, châteaux, and medieval villages. Upon returning to earth, toast your aerial excursion with one final flute of sparkling wine before returning to your accommodations (or making the journey back to Paris or Dijon).

For centuries, Burgundy has been associated with luxury. Famous for producing some of the world’s most beloved wines—think of names like Gevrey-Chambertin and Puligny-Montrachet—the region is also renowned for its elegant châteaux, top-notch restaurants, and wealth of culture. Here’s how to spend three days in Burgundy.

Day 1: Wine sipping in Beaune

Burgundy produces some of the wine world’s most coveted vintages, and the charming medieval city of Beaune is the perfect place to begin your vinous adventures. The city’s proximity to the Côte-d'Or—a limestone ridge that’s home to Burgundy’s most heralded producers—makes it a major destination for wine tourists. Choose from several half- and full-day touring options for easy access to the region. Head to the Côte de Nuits if pinot noir is your varietal of choice, or venture to the Côte de Beaune for world-class chardonnay. Beaune itself is also well worth a look: stop there for lunch or dinner, and check out the Hôtel-Dieu des Hospices (a 15th-century former hospital known for its distinctive tiled roof) and the Basilique Notre-Dame de Beaune.

Day 2: Historical highlights

After a day of decadence among the vines, dedicate your second day in Burgundy to a sightseeing tour of the region’s medieval abbeys, centuries-old châteaux, and lovely villages. Begin your tour in Vézelay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site considered one of France’s most beautiful villages. Spot landmarks such as the grand Vézelay Abbey, and discover Burgundian cuisine on a tasting tour of the town’s restaurants. Alternatively, visit another regional highlight or two, such as the Château de Bazoches, the UNESCO-listed Fontenay Abbey, or Cluny Abbey.

Day 3: Sightseeing in Dijon

Round out your stay in Burgundy with a day in the region’s capital. Picturesque, walkable Dijon—whose entire city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site—is an idyllic setting for a day of discovery. If you’re a history buff, don’t miss the Ducal Palace or the Church of Notre-Dame. If food is your passion, browse the vendors at Les Halles Market, stop for a treat at one of the many chocolatiers, or pick up jars of Dijon mustard to take home with you. And art lovers should spend a few hours at the Musée des Beaux-Arts. Finally, wind down with a hearty meal at a local bistro—washed down with plenty of local wine, of course.

A trip to Burgundy is a wine lover’s dream. In addition to bucolic scenery, château tours, and must-do tastings, you can learn the techniques involved in producing some of the world’s best wine. Red wine is the main focus in this region, yet there are a few white varieties as well. Here’s what to see, sip, and do in Burgundy.

Must-Try Varietals Folks in eastern France’s Burgundy region have been fermenting grapes into wine since the second century. What began as a practice among monks has flourished into one of the best and biggest winemaking industries in the world. The red heavy hitters here are made from pinot noir grapes, while chardonnays and lesser-known Aligotés lead the white-wine offering. Starting just south of Dijon is the Route des Grands Crus, a 37-mile (60-kilometer) journey through some of the top winemaking towns including Gevrey-Chambertin, Nuits-Saint-Georges, and Romanée Conti. Have an expert guide you through the winemaking process from start to finish, and give insight into the grapes and blends used to create the province’s renowned wines. Along the way, taste some of the area’s best wines from prized vintners, tour charming villages, feast on cheese and other local delicacies, and explore everything Burgundy has to offer.

Must-Do Experiences

• Visit prize-winning wineries and sample wines along the Route des Grands Crus to taste famous Burgundy red wines.
• Explore Beaune by bike and take in the scenic views while sampling wine and food from this subregion.
• Enjoy wine and cheese tastings as an introduction to the famous Dijon region.
• Discover special and limited Burgundy varieties that are not available outside of this district.
• Visit the magnificent Château du Clos de Vougeot, one of the oldest wineries in Burgundy.

The capital of France’s Burgundy region, Dijon is famous for its eponymous mustard. But the sharp-yet-creamy condiment is just one of many gastronomic delights that can be found in this charming city. Here’s what you need to know about dining and drinking in Dijon.

Must-Try Dishes and Varietals

Dijon mustard is the city’s most well-known food export, and you’ll find various varieties for sale in boutiques around the city. In Dijon, as in the rest of Burgundy, dishes such as coq au vin (a wine-infused chicken stew), boeuf bourguignon (a rich, red-wine-based stew), oeufs en meurette (poached eggs in red-wine sauce), and escargots à la Bourgogne (snails in parsley-garlic butter) are popular. You’ll also see lots of flavorful cuts of Charolais beef, which come from the cattle that roam Burgundy’s fertile fields, as well as cheese platters composed of local products such as Epoisses and Abbaye de la Pierre qui Vire. For a sweet snack, pick up some pain d'épices (gingerbread) or nonnettes (a small cake made of gingerbread, honey, and orange).

Dijon is surrounded by some of France’s premier vineyards and most renowned wine producers, with pinot noirs from Côte de Nuits and chardonnays from Côte de Beaune featuring heavily. Don’t leave the region without trying crème de cassis, a blackberry liqueur native to Dijon. It’s commonly poured into Champagne to make a Kir Royale, an effervescent cocktail.

Must-Do Experiences

• Take part in wine tastings and learn about local viticulture during wine tours around the Côte d’Or.

• Descend into atmospheric cellars for wine-and-cheese pairings.

• Explore Dijon’s Les Halles food market and sample local specialties on a food tour.

Burgundy is one of France’s most famous wine regions, its vineyards having been acknowledged by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. There is no more exciting time to visit Burgundy than during the annual grape harvest, the climax of the grape-growing year. Here’s how you can make the most out of a harvest-time visit. 

When to Go

The grape harvest in Burgundy typically takes place in September, but can begin as early as late August and continue until late September or, in rare cases, early October, depending on that year’s weather conditions. 

Where to Go

The harvest can be experienced in any of Burgundy’s appellations, from Chablis to Beaujolais and beyond. Among the best places to be for the harvest is the Côte d’Or, which includes the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune wine regions, where the majority of Burgundy’s Grand Cru vineyards are located.

How to Go

If you want to get your hands dirty, some wineries allow visitors to participate in the harvest for the day, picking and sorting grapes and sipping samples from the fermentation tanks. You can also join a wine tour of the region and observe the harvest in action, learning about pressing, running off, and other processes as well as sampling wines at various Burgundy cellars. Dijon and Beaune are popular jumping-off points for Burgundy wine tours, which range from a couple of hours to a full day.