Best of Burgundy Walk

Upon your arrival at the Beaune train station, we will transfer you to your first hotel in the small winemaking town of Meursault. Our Trip Manager will go over your trip package with you and answer any questions. Take some time to wander the lovely centre of Meursault, with the impressive church, and the town hall, covered in the pretty Flemish tiles popular here in the Middle Ages. Welcome to Burgundy!

Your walk starts up at the top end of the charming town of Santenay, by the town’s Romanesque Church of Saint Jean de Narosse from the 13th century. Meander down through the pretty main square with its splashing fountain before heading out into the beautiful countryside. Your route takes you through the village of Chassagne Montrachet, skirting under the pink-tinged limestone cliffs to bring you to the small and pretty village of Saint Aubin, and on to even smaller Gamay, before continuing into Puligny-Montrachet. This town thrives on the renown of its famous wines, quite literally some of the best white wines in the world. You’ll want to stop here for a bit, perhaps for some lunch or a cool drink, and of course, there are also opportunities for some wine tasting! Continue on for the last stretch of your walk, with views onto the premier crus below you, to the lovely town of Meursault, with its beautiful main square.

Say goodbye to the pretty main square of Meursault this morning, as you walk past the medieval Town Hall on route to Beaune. Your walk today is much in the vineyards, passing through several of the picturesque villages of the Cote de Beaune such as Petit Auxey (with its 11th century church) and Auxey-Duresses, where you can perhaps stop for a tasting at a family-run winery. Then into the red wine villages of Volnay (with its two chapels and pretty wash-house) and Pommard, where you’ll notice its unusual, flat church tower (completing the spire, they realised, would add too much weight, and cause the church to collapse into the underground cellars!). Today’s walk is purposely slightly shorter and easygoing, to allow you time to enjoy Beaune itself – a fabulous town with lots to see and do, (and also our home). We provide a self-guided walking tour to explore the Medieval ramparts, the Collegial Church with its tapestries, the Ducal Palace, and the shaded cobble-stoned streets and squares.

We transfer you after breakfast to the tiny village of Echevronne, tucked in a valley of the Hautes Cotes, just north of Beaune. Your path leads you up into the forest, and out to a spectacular panorama of the Corton hill and the surrounding villages, above the wine village of Pernand Vergelesses. Descend through the village and skirt the edges of the Corton-Charlemagne grands crus, before continuing on to Savigny-les-Beaune, via a trail that passes several traditional stone cabottes. Take the time in Savigny to lunch, or simply explore the village, and perhaps visit the castle and its collection of antique Abarth cars, airplanes and motorcycles! Climb out of Savigny over the top of the hill above Beaune. More spectacular views await as you descend back into Beaune itself in time for a visit of the incredible Hospices de Beaune if you haven’t already done it. This spectacular hospital built in the 15th century, is THE site to see in Beaune.

You will be transferred north this morning, to the centre of the charming town of Nuits St Georges. Linger there if you wish, using our map and walking tour for explorations, or simply to taste some of the delicious regional cassis products at a local organic fruit producer’s shop. Your walk is a true “village hopper”, as you make your way northwards along the Route des Grands Crus of the Cote de Nuits. In Vosne-Romanée you can pay homage to the Romanee Conti vineyard, and then perhaps visit the impressive 15th century Chateau de Clos de Vougeot to admire the monumental antique wine presses. Your destination is the town of Gevrey Chambertin, with its 12th century castle, and proud ownership of nine of the region’s Grand Cru vineyards (more than any other village), including the Grand Cru Chambertin Clos de Beze – the earliest recorded vineyard to have been planted in the region, in the year 608! (note the Deluxe itinerary stays in neighbouring Morey St Denis this evening)

Prepare yourself for a change of scenery today, as we transfer you over the top of the vineyard hillside and down into the pretty and tranquil Ouche River Valley, to the village of Commarin. The castle here, with its elegant park, is worth some exploration – built in the 1200s, it has remained the property of the same family for its entire 900-year history! Climb away from town and then into tiny but beautiful medieval Chateauneuf-en-Auxois, where you can find lunch and explore the castle there as well. The yard in front of the church provides spectacular views to the pastoral countryside, with the famous massive white Charolais cows of Burgundy. Your efforts are rewarded as the end of the day’s walk descends down to the banks of the river below you and its accompanying Canal de Bourgogne, and then to your hotel for the evening.

We transfer you after a final breakfast to the Dijon railway station for your continued travels. There are easy connections from here to Paris. Bon Voyage!