Beautiful Burgundy

Burgundy is known as one of France's top wine regions. But this extraordinarily rich region has a lot more to offer. A treasury full of religious art, for example. Fine dining or enjoying marvellous architecture: Burgundy is both captivating and moving. This experience trip guides you along impressive abbeys, medieval city centres, famous wine villages and unspoilt natural beauty. A burgundy treat for all your senses. Fancy enjoying it a little longer? You can! We will put together your trip exactly as you wish.

Day 1: Departure to Courban

Your outward journey starts on your way to Courban. Here you will stay two nights in a charming Caractère hotel.

Day 2: Fontenay and Vézelay, Romanesque beauty in Burgundy

Via the impressive abbey of Fontenay, the Canal de Bourgogne will lead you to Alise-Sainte-Reine at the foot of Mont Auxois. A beautiful museum park commemorates Caesar's memorable victory over the Gauls led by Vercingetorix. Afterwards, you will reach the picturesque, medieval town of Semur-en-Auxois. Through a gentle, hilly landscape you can then continue on to the ancient fortified town of Avallon. The highlight of the day will be Vézelay with its impressive abbey church. You can return to your hotel via Auxerre or through the rolling vineyards of one of the most famous wine villages, Chablis.

Day 3: Dijon and the "Route des Grands Crus.

Dijon with its beautiful old center is the heart of Burgundy. After visiting the city, you will continue through Le Clos de Vougeot - the saint of wine culture - and other renowned vineyards such as Nuits-St-Georges. We recommend a visit to the impressive abbey of Cîteaux, where the Cistercian order was founded. In Meursault, you will stay four nights in a charming château.

Day 4: Charming Beaune

Beaune is historically closely linked to Flanders. The Hôtel-Dieu, with its colourful roof, is its most famous landmark. Don't forget the collegiate church Notre-Dame, with a series of Tournaisian tapestries from the 16th century! The center of Beaune possesses perhaps the largest number of wineries. Plus, many tastings here are free!

Day 5: The natural beauty of the Morvan

As an extension, after visiting Autun, nature lovers can indulge in a drive through the Morvan Regional Natural Park: an oasis of nature, tranquility, water and clean air where white charolais cows graze peacefully. It is a sparsely populated region with only the occasional town or village with farms, built of the 'grosses pierres', substantial stone walls characteristic of the region, which keep the heat out in summer and in during winter. The Loire and the Yonne cross the Morvan and five large lakes guarantee a paradise for hikers, fishermen, swimmers and lovers of water sports. Beautiful panoramas can be discovered around Lac de Settons before continuing on to Saulieu, gastronomic hub of the Morvan.

Day 6: Southern Burgundy, the heart of Christian Europe

Through Châlon-sur-Saône, birthplace of photography, towards Tournus, one of France's most important monastic centers with an atmospheric downtown with picturesque alleyways, to medieval Brancion, perched vertiginously above two deep ravines. On to Cormatin, with its impressive castle, to Taizé, known for its youth pilgrimages and Cluny. This 1100-year-old "mother abbey" housed the spiritual heart of medieval Europe. You will return via Paray-le-Monial, a place of pilgrimage with a basilica that is among the most beautifully preserved of Cluniac architecture.

Day 7: Going home

On day 7 it's time to go home. Unless you would love to stay a little longer, then you can extend your trip in a Caractère hotel of your choice. We will be happy to help you with this!