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:
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 at 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
Continue exploring DIJON in the morning (plenty to choose among – the Archeological Museum, the Sacred Art Museum in Sainte Anne‘s Chapel, and an excellent museum that chronicles the life, costumes and cottage industries of Burgundy).At the start of the afternoon, a taxi will escort 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. Pass Fixin and Noisot Park (the reward to a captain for his loyalty to Napoleon), and continue through Brochon to reach Gevrey-Chambertin, a wine town still guarded by an ancient fortified castle. Dinner in excellent local restaurant Chez Guy, overnight Gevrey.
15 kms/9.4 miles
Day 3:
Gevrey Chambertin – Nuit Saint Georges
Cross through the Grand Cru vineyards towards Morey Saint Denis. 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. Pass finally through Vosne-Romanée to arrive in Nuits-Saint-Georges, with its fine old quarter. Dinner and overnight.
14 kms/8.75 miles
Day 4:
Nuits Saints Georges / Chaux – Beaune
Today’s walk takes you uphill, past vineyard-covered slopes, to the Hautes-Cotes de Nuits. The landscape is delightful, with beautiful views across the valley. First,a taxi takes you from Nuits to Chaux, at the summit of a hill. Pass through the village of Villers-la-Faye, with its 11th century church sitting upon Mont Saint Victor, and then Magny-les-Villers. Descending into the Côtes de Beaune, come upon 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. Continue to Chorey, and then Beaune, a magical Burgundian city of medieval charm, famous for its hospices and ramparts. Overnight Beaune 2 nights.
14 kms/8.75 miles
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
Leave Beaune by way of La Bouzaise park 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 bell-tower. The wines of the village, celebrated around the globe, are of outstanding quality, deeply-coloured, firm and honest. Pass through Volnay and Monthélie, with its Romanesque church built in the 12th century, and Auxey-Duresses, a small village in a picturesque valley. Each of these villages produces its own distinct red and white wines, uniquely elegant and refined. After passing over the last vineyard-covered hill, you will fall upon Meursault, a beautiful village reputed for its white wines. Overnight Meursault for two nights.
15 kms/9.4 miles
Day 7
Meursault
Circular walk around Meursault via La Rochepot. Making your way across the vineyards, arrive in the hamlets of Blagny and Gamay, and then pass through the forest that stretches across the heights of the Côte de Beaune. Reach La Rochepot, a village that boasts one of the most beautiful châteaux in Burgundy, dating to the 15th century. Descend to the village of Saint Aubin and its 10th century church. Crossing through the Grands Crus of Chassagne-Montrachet and Puligny-Montrachet, and the village of Puligny-Montrachet itself, you head to Meursault through Les Grands Crus at Les Perriéres. Lodging and breakfast in the same hotel.
Day 8
Tour ends after breakfast. Taxi to Beaune railway station.
Hotel List:
Day 1: Hotel des Ducs – Dijon B&B
Day 2:Hotel Arts & Terroirs – Gevrey Chambertin. Dinner in local restaurant
Day 3: Hostellerie Saint Vincent Nuits Saint Georges. Dinner in local restaurant.
Day 4 & 5: Hotel Athanor in Beaune B&B or Hostellerie Bretonnière Beaune
Day 6 & 7: Hotel Les Charmes in Meursault B&B
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.
