Winelands of Burgundy (self-guided) 7 days Tour

Itinerary

Day 1: Beaune

Your trip starts with your arrival in Beaune, in the heart of Burgundy. Beaune can be easily reached by rail and with high frequency from many points across France, including a direct service from Paris Gare de Lyon (2 hours), Dijon (30 mins) and Lyon (1 ½ hours) – consult: www.voyages-sncf.com for up-to-date scheduling information. Whilst at your discretion, we recommend arriving and departing by train where possible within Europe due to this method of transport's minimal carbon emissions. Please make your own way to our centrally-located joining hotel. On arrival your route notes, outlining everything you need to know for the week ahead, will be waiting for you at the hotel reception. The prestigious wine town of Beaune, with its famous Hospices de Beaune and many wine estates, is an elegant town with a historic connection to nobility. If you arrive on a Saturday, it is well worth visiting the Saturday Market - one of the best-known in Burgundy. Also highly recommended is a visit to the Hospices de Beaune, a former hospital for the poor and needy that dates back to 1443. Originally built as a hospital for those who fought in the Hundred Years' War, the building is now an icon of Burgundy with its Flemish influence and colourful tiled roof.

Day 2: Vougeot - Beaune

Meals included: 1 breakfast

This morning you are transferred by train to Vougeot, where you embark on a loop walk around some Nuits-Saint-Georges estates. You stop at Château du Clos de Vougeot, seat of the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Testevin and dating back from the 12th century when monks used to cultivate vine here. This magnificent edifice is a visible proof of the creation and exploitation of the vineyard in the Middle Age. In 1949, the château was classified as an ‘Ancient Monument’. Today 50 hectares of vineyard are cultivated by 80 landowners. It is now the ‘hot spot’ for Burgundy wine and gastronomy promotions. In the afternoon you are transferred by rail back to Beaune, where you spend another night. (Walking time 3½ - 4 hours)

Day 3: Beaune - Pommard - Monthelie - Puligny Montrachet

Meals included: 1 breakfast

Located a stone’s throw from the centre of Beaune, halfway up the slopes above the Saône River valley, are the prestigious vineyards of Beaune Premier Cru. Today you walk between the vineyards and alongside low stone walls, passing old winemakers’ cabins, on to Pommard. Here you can get to taste some of the deep and fruity red wines that the region has to offer. You then carry on to the picturesque village of Monthélie, with its Romanesque church and castle, before a visit of the renowned Château de Meursault - a visual treat and a delight for the taste buds. A ten-minute private transfer takes you to the village of Puligny-Montrachet - your base for the next two nights. (Walking time 3 ½ hours)

Day 4: Puligny Montrachet - Gamay - Chassagne Montrachet

Meals included: 1 breakfast

Today a climb takes you to the hamlet of Gamay - a stronghold built on top of a rock. On the untamed mountain slopes, you follow the ridges through the oak, beech, and pine forests with splendid views of the vineyards below. You follow a shelf path through the Santenay Premier Cru winery before entering the prestigious vineyards of Chassagne-Montrachet, where pinot noir and chardonnay flourish side by side. (Walking time 5 hours)

Day 5: Puligny - Montrachet - Saint-Romain

Meals included: 1 breakfast

Today you walk through the valley and reach the nestled village of Auxey-Duresses; a place where the ruby red wines possess a bouquet of blackcurrant, blackberry and blueberry. The path takes you up into the woods, where numerous prehistoric and Gallo-Roman ruins have been unearthed. You continue to the hills of Saint-Romain, which has a history of wine-making that dates back 2000 years. Here you can explore the ruins of the castle of the dukes of Burgundy. (Walking time 3 ½ hours)

Day 6: Saint-Romain - Orches - Château de Rochepot

Meals included: 1 breakfast

You climb up into the forests and foothills on your way to the perched village of Orches. On a clear day at the lookout, you can enjoy views that extend all the way to Mont Blanc - the highest peak of western Europe. You descend through the ruins of the medieval village of Dracy and later reach the Château de Rochepot - a 13th century architectural gem with a rich history. (Walking time 5 hours)

Day 7: Beaune

Meals included: 1 breakfast

After breakfast this morning you are transferred by taxi (15-minute drive) to Beaune where your trip ends. Additional nights' accommodation can be booked in Beaune if you plan to stay on after the tour ends – please inquire at time of booking.