Winelands of Burgundy (self-guided)
Trip Length |
Trip Code |
| 7 days | PEWL |
Activities |
|
| Walking (Easy), Culinary (Easy), Self-Guided (Easy) | |
Minimum Passengers |
|
| 2 people | |
Countries Visited |
|
| France | |
Start City |
End City |
| Beaune, Bourgogne, France | Beaune, Bourgogne, France |
Along the paths of Burgundy’s famous wine country, the beautiful villages of Meursault, Pommard, Santenay, Puligny-Montrachet dot the hillsides. The sunny slopes are blanketed by prestigious vineyards, while verdant forested hills complete the backdrop. The expression 'art de vivre' (art of living) epitomises Burgundy and there’s no better way to experience the elegance of its towns and the splendour of its landscapes than on foot and at your own pace. As you leisurely meander from one vineyard to the next you’ll encounter a rich history, enjoy tastings at world renowned chateaux and you’ll be captivated by the region's charm and bucolic beauty. This self-guided walk is perfect for lovers of wine and country walks.
Day to Day 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.
Your Trip
What's Included
Return transfer by train Beaune / Vougeot on Day 2, luggage transfers, detailed route notes & maps.,
Summary of accommodation, transport & meals
Accommodation
- 2 nights Hotel
- 4 nights Guesthouse
Meals
- 6 breakfasts
Meals
Breakfast is included daily and is a continental style breakfast which usually includes bread, spreads, tea, coffee & juices. The breakfast can vary from one hotel to the next.
For meals not inculded you should allow between €25-€30 for a full menu including house wine; with €5-7 you can buy a packed lunch, with €10-15 will buy you a simple lunch in a restaurant. In addition you should allow for drinks and any personal shoppingor any optional activities that may be offered during your trip.
For meals not included you should allow between €20-€25 for a full menu including house wine; with €5 you can buy a packed lunch, with €10-15 will buy you a simple lunch in a restaurant. In addition you should allow for drinks and any personal shopping.
Not Included
International flights, arrival & departure transfers, departure taxes, visas, travel insurance (compulsory on all trips), meals (unless stated in itinerary), drinks, additional tours or activities, entrance fees, taxis/transport (if opting out of walks), tips and items of a personal nature.
What to know
FitnessThis self guided walking adventure includes 5 days of Easy walking with a maximum day of 5 hours walking.
VaccinationsVaccinations may be required for this trip. Talk to your doctor about the up-to-date information for this region.
Visas and PermitsIt is your responsibility to ensure you have all required visas for your trip. Rules and regulations governing the issuance of visas are constantly changing, and vary for different nationalities and you should check visa requirements with your travel agent or relevant consular authority well before travel.
France
Visas are currently not required for Australian, New Zealand, US, Canadian or UK/EU passport holders wishing to visit France.
You are required to have travel insurance before heading off on a Peregrine trip. Insurance can be organised by your Peregrine representative or your travel agent.
Responsible Travel
Our Responsible Travel ethos is at the heart of everything we do, from getting the basics right like respecting local cultures and the environment, to initiating projects that make positive contributions to communities, to our staff’s fundraising efforts and offsetting our carbon emissions.
Please visit our Responsible Travel (http://www.peregrineadventures.com/rt) page for more information.
Our Pre Departure Information packs (provided upon booking a trip) provide tips on how you can show respect for the local customs and culture in the country you are travelling in.
The information listed above is a brief description of some things you may need to consider when booking a trip. Once a tour is booked you will be provided with a Pre Departure Information pack which will contain detailed information.
Further Reading
FranceA Year In Provence Peter Mayle
Toujours Provence Peter Mayle
The Olive Farm Carol Drinkwater
Lazy Days Out In the Loire Philippe Barbour
Burgundy: Touring wine country-Hubrecht Duijker
Dordogne Adventures-Eric Line
Five Quarters of the Orange-Joanne Harris
Walks & climbs in the Pyrenees-Kev Reynolds
And God Created the French-Louis-Bernard Robitaille
Important Information
Departure dates
This trip operates daily from 01 April until 15 October.
Private Transfers
Optional private transfers from Dijon SNCF train station to Beaune (and v.v) are available at an additional cost. Enquire with Peregrine or your travel consultant at time of booking.
About this Information
The information provided here is given in good faith and has been compiled with all reasonable care. However, things change and some of the information may become out of date. Please keep this in mind when you read it and check with us if you want to be sure about something. The document was correct at time of printing, but you can check online for the most up to date version. If you have any queries, please contact your travel agent or our staff in Australia. We are here to help you!
Last Updated
3 November 2011