Burgundy Walking Tour
Grand Cru Wines, Chateaus, Abbeys and much more
Burgundy Walking Tour
Grand Cru Wines, Chateaus, Abbeys and much more
Enjoy easy walks amongst the endless vineyards of full-bodied reds and supple white wines, surrounded by the green rolling hills, wooded slopes & grazing Charolais cattle of a bountiful and generous land; images evoked when one thinks of Burgundy.
Burgundians are also faithful to the traditions of earlier generations with a warm and generous hospitality--a guest here eats and drinks very well indeed, thus bringing honor to the host's table. In the spirit of the local traditions of hospitality, we bring you the best of Burgundy.
Daily walks from one world renowned wine producer to the next. Stop and raise a glass a dark cool wine cellar; such as the 12th-c Chateau du Clos de Vougeot. Tour the influential Abbey Cîteaux and discover tiny villages associated closer to Napoléon than to wine.
Emerge into a terrain separated by vast fields of sunflower, grain and colzat flowers creating a blazing golden hue while forest provide contrast in color and relief. Learn about the ancient Gallo-Roman culture and pause to taste the delicious fruit liqueurs made from local berries.
Meanders through forests and fields to Beaune, wine capital of Burgundy. Enjoy a private tour of the city and the traditional market day. Saone River Valley and the nearby hills of the Cote Chalonnaise inspire contemplation. Soon robust red wine country and soon after, viola, the land of superlative whites. Then enjoy Cluny and the Benedictine Abbey of A.D. 909, once the grandest, most prestigious monastic institution in Europe
Inclusions
Not included
Burgundy has long been a crossroad of Northern Europe and thus benefited from so many cultures. Here the Celtic peoples first learned to make wine barrels from the oak, which grew in abundance in their forests. Centuries later its the full-bodied reds and supple white wines, endless vineyards, green rolling hills, wooded slopes, grazing Charolais cattle on a bountiful and generous land that are the images evoked when one thinks of Burgundy. Burgundians are also faithful to the traditions of earlier generations with a warm and generous hospitality for the visitor--a guest here eats and drinks very well indeed, thus bringing honor to the host's table. In the spirit of the local traditions of hospitality, we bring you the best of Burgundy while staying at small friendly inns and dining at some of the best tables the region has to offer.
Gevrey-Chambertin, 30-minute from Dijon, is the base for our first walks. You discover tiny villages such as Fixin which has the peculiarity from other villages in that it prefers to be associated with Napoléon rather than with the excellent wine production. Our trail leads us through the vineyards to Fixey, for a visit of a 10th-century Romanesque chapel, the oldest chapel in Burgundy. Visit a local wine cellar for a wine tasting, in anticipation of a difficult choice to made at dinner tonight.
Lodgings: For two nights at a wonderful 3 -star.
Walk from one world renowned wine village to the next with several opportunities to stop and raise a glass in some dark cool wine cellar such as the 12th-century Château du Clos de Vougeot. Enjoy the history of how the Cistercian monks from the nearby Abbey of Cîteaux first made wine then explore the villages of the world's most exclusive wine, and visit such domains as Clos de la Tache and Romanée-Conti. Then end the day with a special tasting of five or six wines in a vaulted candle-lighted room under the streets
Climb up to the Hautes Côtes, a rural setting left virtually unchanged for generations. Then emerge into a terrain much different from that of the vineyards we left behind. The remote villages we encounter are separated by vast fields of sunflower, grain and colzat flowers and creates a blazing golden hue to the land as the forest provide contrast in color and relief. Learn about the ancient Gallo-Roman culture and then in the village of Echevronne we pause to taste the delicious fruit liqueurs produced from local red currant berries, blackberries and raspberries.
Lodgings: 2 nights in a 3-star in village center.
Today we walk to Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy. Meanders through forests and fields to the Pas de St Martin, a scenic rocky point overlook. Legend has it that in the 6th century St Martin leaped across this valley. Begin the next day with a tour of Beaune. Afterwards freely enjoying the traditional market day, as the two main plazas fill with vendors selling everything from fresh bread, fruits and vegetables to house wares and clothing a part of European life since the Middle Ages
Walk into robust red wine country then soon find yourself in the land of superlative whites. Stroll through the vineyards of the village of Pommard producers of the heartier red wines while the next village, Volnay, produces a lighter more feminine wine. Hike above Volnay to a shady pine tree overlook where the spread of vineyards in the distant Saône River Valley and the nearby hills of the Côte Chalonnaise inspire contemplation. Wander into Meursault and duck into a tasting room before a grand farewell dinner in the village of Levernois.
Transfers to Dijon
The following is a list of train schedules for transportation to and from the tour start and end locations. Train departure times and tracks are subject to change, so verify before boarding.
*Meeting your tour by train if not staying in Dijon:
Trains from Paris to Dijon (tour start): ~1.5 hours
Paris Gare de Lyon.....10:34am; arrival Dijon.... 12:12pm
From Lyon: ~1.5 hours
#Lyon Part Dieu ....09:54 am; arrival Dijon... 11:35 am
KEEP IT PRIVATE ON AN EXISTING TOUR or CUSTOMIZE YOUR TRIP
If you have at least 6 participants we can keep it private on any of our sheduled tours or on an alternative date (subject to availability). For less than 6, prices may vary and for more than 12 discounts may apply.
To help us get started complete the form below. You can also call us M-Sat 9-5 PST (USA), or to the right, schedule a call or send us a message.
Sometimes a custom trip is participating in one of our exisitng trips on a private basis with a few alterations to trip length, activity level, or adding some side trips. Other times we get to work to create a unique itinerary specific to your groups desires or budget. We then use our expertise to organize a tour especially tailored to your vision.
The first thing we do is get to know you a little. We learn your interests and preferences, find out who’s going and why. Family, friends or associates? Birthday, reunion or corporate retreat? When you speak with our tour designer he/she will work together with you to design a trip that is sure to create great anticipation and excitement for all.
