Experiencing the wonderful world of wine
Autumn is the best season to come and explore the Burgundy vineyard, so we have a getaway for you based on this theme, centred around the town of Beaune, capital of the Burgundy wines.
We recommend staying for 3 days / 2 nights to be able to explore the town and surrounding Côte de Beaune, without being in a rush.
Day 1: Route des Grands Crus, 60 km made even more beautiful in autumn
Choosing to explore the Route des Grands Crus (Route of the Great Wines) is about exploring thousands of years of history! Go either by car or cycle along the Voie des Vignes to discover how the vine has been cultivated here over the centuries, and learn about the many traditions and heritage.
Explore, observe and taste this winegrowing terroir at your own pace. Stop off at Pommard, Meursault, Chassagne-Montrachet… the villages bearing the same names as the legendary appellations.
It is also there, in the midst of the vines covered in shades of yellow, that you'll understand why the department was named the Côte-d’Or (Golden Hillside).
An encounter with the winegrowers and their exceptional wines
Behind these vines stretching out over the rolling hills, there are the winegrowers. What better a way to learn all about the secrets of the great vintage wines and Premier Crus of Burgundy, than by meeting the winegrowers themselves?
Learn all about what they do, inside their private wine cellars, at the heart of their estates, let them tell you all about their passion.
Then comes the time for tasting. The owners of the Château de Pommard will open their doors to you, to come and discover their subtle tasting wines. You are guaranteed an unforgettable experience that appeals to all the senses.
Visit the Château Pommard
The ultimate museum to understand the local "terroir"
An unmissable visit on this getaway into winegrowing land is the Maison des Climats. At this museum, you'll learn all about the famous "climats".
This term has nothing to do with the weather! It is used to describe a vine plot with qualities (geology, exposure, etc.) that have been recognised and identified for centuries now.
These plots are the key to producing outstanding, one-of-a-kind wines. No less than 1,247 "climats" have been recognised as world heritage by UNESCO!
Day 2: Beaune and its wonderful heritage sites
This weekend getaway will be centred around pleasure for the taste buds... and the eyes! Beaune is the capital of Burgundy wines and is also hiding some superb architectural gems.
The Hospices, a hospital from the Middle Ages, is an iconic monument of Burgundy and bears witness to the golden age of the Dukes of Burgundy.
Not-to-be-missed: the inner courtyard with flamboyant Gothic-style architecture, perfectly rounded off with polychrome roof tiles.
The golden, yellow and green tiles glisten in the sun of the Indian summer.
Continue your colourful and gourmet adventure at the Château de Corton. It can be found in Aloxe-Corton, a village on the outskirts of Beaune and the place where 2 great vintage wines were produced!
Known as"the yellow château", it is decorated with varnished roof tiles and these very tiles can be found on the labels of some of the greatest vintage wines.
Collect and then taste Burgundy truffles
After exploring the vineyards, it's time to head to the truffle farms! Autumn is the season for harvesting the famous Burgundy truffles. They are renowned for their subtle nutty taste and were a favourite of the Kings of France.
Come to the Maison aux 1000 Truffes 13 km from Beaune. Thierry and his dog will take you on a tour, through the oak and hazel trees, for a "cavage" demonstration. The tour ends with a tasting session of products made using truffles.
