Self-guided walking
6 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 1+
Leisurely plus
Flights
available
This six-night gastronomic walking holiday invites you to discover the essence of Burgundy; a place where centuries-old culture and practices meet the modern world in a region world famous for its traditions of wine and gastronomy. Here you'll find medieval Beaune, whose walled old town houses the immaculately preserved 15th century Hospices de Beaune, picture-perfect Meursault and a host of authentic Burgundy chateaux; this region has more chateaux than any other in France. To the north, past the Combe Lavaux - Jean Roland Nature Reserve, where wildflowers grow and peregrine falcons and eagles nest, lies the regional capital of Dijon. The city boasts a rich blend of architecture alongside the magnificent palace of the Valois Dukes, now home to the Museum of Fine Art.
The walks provide a wonderful balance of quiet country lanes, vineyard tracks and woodland trails taking in sleepy, unspoilt villages, majestic vine-clad hills and ancient oak forest. Sample fine wines in 13th century cellars and enjoy lunch in a selection of medieval towns including world-renowned Nuits-St-Georges. Walk the historic streets of Dijon and hunt for truffles with Yann and his dog Elfe in the grounds of a secluded chateau.
This area is popular with gastronomes and for good reason! You can look forward to fine dining on Filet de boeuf flambe a la sauce creme de truffe or Sandre aux echalotes confites et au Pommard and sampling some of the regional cheeses - Brillat Savarin and Epoisses - accompanied by the region's incredible Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines. You'll stay in wonderful hotels including an elegantly renovated farmhouse with picturesque gardens, a lovingly restored former winery and a modern 4 star hotel complete with spa facilities.
Walking is along a mixture of small country roads, vineyard tracks, and woodland or forest paths. Walking boots are recommended.
Read more about this holiday in The Good Life France.
Wander the streets of Beaune and marvel at the multi coloured roofs of the 15th Century Hospices de Beaune. Overnight at the perfectly located Hotel Le Central and take your pick from the plethora of local restaurants nearby.
You stay at Le Central Boutique Hotel.
Renovated in 2018, this 16th century hotel is located in Beaune city centre, in front of the Hospices de Beaune. Hôtel Central offers family rooms and free WiFi.
Featuring a contemporary decor, each room offers a wardrobe, a desk and a private bathroom with bath or shower and hairdryer.
A continental breakfast, including local produces, is served every morning. Guests may also taste local wines at the on site bar. Dame Tartine by Edgar, the hotel's restaurant, is located 50 yards away, in front of the Hospices de Beaune. It serves traditional, regional cuisine and toasts prepared with organic bread from the bakery. Guests may eat in the dining room, on the terrace on in the property's courtyard.
Room upgrades: Superior, Junior Suite and Suite.
Parking in Beaune
Hotel has 6 spaces in a locked and private garage £25 per car per day and should be pre-booked. Free parking is available in the town with no restrictions in terms of length of stay – hotel can advise suitable car parks on arrival.
You'll begin by crossing over the northern tip of the limestone escarpment of the Cote-d'Or to gain wonderful views across the plain as you descend to the village of Chenove. From here turn south and wind your way along the Chemin des Grand Crus, passing the vineyards of Couchey and Fixin and continuing along to the famous wine village of Gevrey-Chambertin.
You stay at La Rotisserie du Chambertin.
Offering 2 French restaurants, hotel La Rotisserie du Chambertin is located in Gevrey-Chambertin at the heart of the Burgundy vineyards. It features a shaded terrace.
The rooms all have an LCD TV and a minibar. Free WiFi access is available. The private bathrooms include a walk-in shower or a bath, hairdryer and free toiletries.
A continental breakfast is available each morning. The Bistrot Lucien restaurant is open every day for lunch and dinner and guests can also enjoy a meal at the gastronomic Table d'Hôte restaurant, which is open from Tuesday to Saturday. You can savour refreshing drinks inside or on the terrace during sunny weather.
Please note that there are no twin bedded rooms at the Rotisserie.
Room upgrades: Superior
Options today include taking the train to Dijon or Beaune. In Dijon stroll the history-filled streets and alleyways with 12th-15th century timbered houses to see the Church of Notre Dame, cathedral and the grand Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy. In Beaune marvel at the multi-coloured roofs of the 15th century Hospices de Beaune.
Leave the vines behind today and head up into the woods where you'll follow an old disused railway track. Wind through shady, protected woodland before emerging back into the sun-soaked vines behind tranquil Morey-St-Denis, a good place to enjoy a coffee break. Continue on through the sleepy village of Chambolle-Musigny to Vougeot and visit the historic Chateau du Clos de Vougeot which produces one of the world's most celebrated Grand Cru wines. From here it's just a short distance to Vosne-Romanee where your 4 star hotel and restaurant await.
You stay at Le Richebourg.
Lying right alongside the vineyards of Vosne Romanee (home to the world's top two most expensive wines!) and just off the Route des Grands Crus wine route (which runs from Dijon to Santenay), this relaxed, modern 4 star hotel offers refined rooms furnished with colorful fabrics, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi and minibars. The hotel serves continental breakfast and dinner is taken in the fine-dining restaurant. There is also a piano bar, a garden terrace, and a spa with a whirlpool, sauna, steam room and treatment rooms. Our standard room here comes with a private terrace at the back of the hotel.
Room upgrades: Terrasse Room, Junior Suite or Cocoon / Sauna Room.
The Cocoon room comes equipped with a private infrared sauna, offering the same benefits as a traditional sauna, but at a more tolerable temperature.
Stroll through the vines to the medieval town of Nuits-St-Georges, world-famous for its wines. There are many opportunities for wine tasting in the wine 'caves' in the town, however, why not take a visit to Le Cassissium, an experience dedicated to Creme de Cassis, a blackcurrant liquer added to wine to make a Kir. Alternatively the L'Imaginarium provides a wonderful insight into the wonderful world of vines, vineyards and wine in the area. Or perhaps take a walk through the woods to the Chateau-entre-Deux-Monts. in the hills behind the vineyards of Vosne Romanee.
A 25-minute transfer takes you to Pernand-Vergelesses to follow vineyard tracks past the Hill of Corton, once owned by Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne. Then it's on to medieval Savigny-les-Beaune for a morning coffee next to the impressive chateau, which houses a collection of vintage cars, motorbikes and planes. Walking up through woodland, you emerge above Beaune with spectacular views over the town and its surrounds. Descending into the vineyards you can visit the Parc de la Bouzaise or Beaune.
If you'd like to extend your trip with extra hotel nights we recommend: Hotel Le Senat, Paris.
The 4 star Le Senat is simply stunning! There are just 41 rooms, all stylishly furnished and a couple of suites with terraces, if you really fancy splashing out! All have satellite television, mini bar, air-conditioning, safe and hairdryer, plus Internet access.
The hotel has its own small bar - adorned with photographs of eminent artists, being in the heart of the artists' quarter - plus a reading room with complimentary internet access.
Breakfast is taken in the basement, where you'll find a copious buffet of viennoiseries, cereals, fruit salad, ham, cheese, bread, yoghurt, bacon, eggs, sausage, fruit juices, tea or coffee. If you prefer, you can have a continental breakfast served to your room at no extra charge.
Le Senat is perfectly located on a quiet side street just a stone's throw away from the Luxembourg Gardens and metro, and a five-minute walk from the vibrant Latin quarter, where you'll find a plethora of restaurants to suit all budgets.
We do not currently have departure dates and prices available on-line. The season may have ended for this tour, or we are still in the process of adding these details to our website.
Please contact our sales team on 01606 720199 to for further details or to discuss alternavie trip options.
Subject to availability and dependent on service provider, please ask at time of enquiry and book early to avoid disappointment. *Unfortunately, due to the airline themselves we are unable to book Ryanair.
Self-guided walking
6 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 1+
Leisurely plus
Flights
available