The Wine Trails of Burgundy. 7 Nights – 6 days self-guided walking. Dijon, Gevrey-Chambertin, Château de Clos Vougeot, Nuit Saint Georges, Aloxe Corton, Beaune, Pommard, Meursault, Puligny Montrachet.
Two of the most famous vineyards worldwide are located to the south of Dijon – the Côte de Nuits, from Chenove to Corgoloin, producing powerful red wines; and the Côte de Beaune, from Aloxe Corton to Santenay, renowned for its delicate red wines and its full-bodied white wines. Since the 3rd century B.C., the vineyards here have provided the noblest vintages. Long-time properties of the dukes of Bourgogne, the area stands today as witness to the past, a trail of chapels, châteaux and old, glazed-roof villages, and vineyards, one after another. Included in the itinerary are two remarkable towns: Dijon, the capital of Burgundy, and Beaune, the vineyards’ capital.
Price:
£990 per person based on two people sharing in 3*and 4* hotels
Single supplement £410
Half board for additional 5 nights (2 nights included already) £215
Included:
Optional Extras:
Not Included:
Transport to/from beginning/end of trail, lunches, drinks with meals, taxe de sejour
Departure Dates:
Daily from beginning of May to end of October but we recommend that you avoid (if you can) high summer. Reserve early to obtain the best rooms.
Day 1: Arrival Dijon, capital of Burgundy
This town, steeped in history, is its own outdoor museum. Explore the old city, the neighborhood of the Palais de Justice, and the beautiful Palais des Ducs et des Etats de Bourgogne (Palace of the Dukes and States of Burgundy) home to the Musée des Beaux Arts.
Overnight Dijon
Day 2: Marsannay – Gevrey–Chambertin ~ 11 kms [+256 m / -276 m]
Continue exploring Dijon in the morning where there is plenty to see, including the Archeological Museum and the Sacred Art Museum in Sainte Anne‘s Chapel.
Late morning a taxi transfer takes you to Marsannay-la-Côte. From Marsannay, a city reputed for its rosé wines (unique in the Burgundian region), you will walk towards Fixey, where a 10th century church stands, the oldest in the region. You reach Gevrey-Chambertin, a wine town still guarded by an ancient, fortified castle.
Lodging and breakfast in a 4-star hotel.
Day 3: Gevrey Chambertin – Nuit Saint Georges ~14 kms [+249 m / -268 m]
Pass by the village of Chambolle Musigny, at the beginning of a narrow valley, and head to one of the more famous sites of Burgundy, the majestic Château de Clos Vougeot. A visit to the château reveals a 12th century wine cellar and gigantic wine press. Your path continues across the Echezeaux and Grand Echezeaux vineyards and then brings you to hallowed ground and the heart of some of the world’s greatest vineyards: La Romanée, Romanée-Conti, Richebourg, la Tâche.
Lodging and breakfast in a 3-star hotel.
Day 4: Nuits-Saint-Georges/Chaux – Beaune 19km [+245 m / -406 m]
Today’s walk takes you uphill (after a morning transfer), past vineyard-covered slopes, to the Hautes-Cotes de Nuits. The landscape is delightful, with beautiful views across the valley. Pass through the village of Villers-la-Faye, with its 11th century church sitting upon Mont Saint Victor, and then to Magny-les-Villers. Descending into the Côtes de Beaune, you reach Pernant-Vergelesses and one of the most picturesque little villages in the area, Aloxe-Corton, famous for white wines like Corton-Charlemagne, one of the best in Burgundy. Your day ends in Beaune, a magical Burgundian city of medieval charm, famous for its hospices and ramparts.
Lodging and breakfast in a 3-star hotel for 2 nights.
Day 5: Free day in Beaune
Explore the narrow streets lined with beautiful houses, some of which date back to the Renaissance period. Worth particular attention are the Hôtel-Dieu, the Collegiale Notre Dame, and the Musée des Vins de Bourgogne, found in the old Hôtel des Ducs de Bourgogne. Of course, you may choose to spend your entire day in the many wine cellars, enjoying the extraordinary variety of regional wines!
Day 6: Beaune – Meursault ~ 10 kms [+210 m / -178 m]
Leave Beaune and walk through the first Premiers Crus vineyards, heading to Pommard. This well-known village is huddled tightly around a church that is most remarkable for its square belltower. The wines of the village, celebrated around the globe, are of outstanding quality, deeply coloured, firm and honest. After passing over the last vineyard-covered hill, you will descent upon Meursault, a beautiful village reputed for its white wines.
Lodging and breakfast in a 3-star hotel for 2 nights.
Day 7: Meursault Loop via La Rochepot ~21km [+634 m / -635 m]
Make your way across the vineyards, to reach the hamlets of Blagny and Gamay, and then pass through the forest that stretches across the heights of the Côte de Beaune to La Rochepot – a village that boasts one of the most beautiful châteaux in Burgundy, dating from the 15th century. Descend to the village of Saint Aubin and its 10th century church, then wind through the Grands Crus of Chassagne-Montrachet and Puligny-Montrachet, to the village of Puligny-Montrachet itself. Your final stage is through Les Grands Crus at Les Perriéres to Meursault.
Lodging and breakfast in the same 3-star hotel.
Day 8: Departure
Tour ends after breakfast. Taxi to Beaune railway station.
Hotel List:
DIJON Hotel des Ducs ***
The hotel des Ducs is a nice hotel, located in the historical center of Dijon, 100 meters from the Tourist Office, the Dukes’ Palace and the Fine Arts Museum. The rooms are well decorated, and modern, with all the comfort needed. Customers will have breakfast in a pleasant conservatory.
GEVREY-CHAMBERTIN Hotel Arts et Terroirs****
This hotel is situated not very far from the center town of Gevrey-Chambertin. Customers will appreciate the peaceful atmosphere of this hotel. It offers comfortable and cozy rooms, decorated in a French style. Customers will enjoy the wooded garden where they will be able to taste a glass of wine (from the domaines around).
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NUITS-ST-GEORGES La Gentilhommière***
The hotel La Gentilhommière is located in the countryside, out of the village of Nuits-St-Georges. The hotel is housed in a former 16th century hunting lodge, in the heart of a forest and a magnificent 13-hectare park. Customers will enjoy the outdoor swimming-pool, and tennis court and a nice garden with a terrace. The rooms are well decorated and very comfortable. The hotel has a restaurant.
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BEAUNE. Hostellerie de la Bretonnière***
Nice hotel, hosted in an ancient relay station from 17th century, at about 5 minutes’ walk from the center town. It is a family hotel, in a very peaceful place despite its location in town. The hotel has a nice garden, a conservatory, a terrace, a bar and a parking.
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MEURSAULT Hotel les Hauts de Meursault**
This family-run hotel is situated on the top of the village of Meursault, giving a nice view on the vineyards of Meursault’s appellation. The rooms are comfortable, simply decorated with nice taste from the owners. They also run the restaurant of the hotel, which offers a classic French cuisine.
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➔ In case of unavailability of the first hotel, we suggest an alternative hotel of the same standard. If the same hotel category is not available, then, we try in the upper category hotel. In that last case, there will be an extra cost.
Getting there:
Train station in Dijon with good connections to Paris and other cities.
At the end you are taken to the train station in Beaune.
