Self-guided walking
7 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 1
Leisurely
9.0Kg CO2e
Follow The Route des Grands Crus (Wine Route) passes through the most prestigious part of Burgundy's vineyards, between Dijon and Beaune then on to Meursault. Throughout these gentle hills, the vineyards run in tight rows between each town, just a few miles from each other.
Explore typical vineyard architecture of beautiful limestone houses with tiled roofs. Often organised between courtyards and gardens, these winegrowers' houses almost all have old cellars, the centrepiece of the house that the owner will allow wine lovers to discover. Visit the traditional villages, often opulent with occasional wine merchants' houses built in the 18th or 19th century. Gathered around their Gothic church, sometimes Romanesque, with their fountains and wash houses, these villages are places emblematic of life in the Burgundy vineyards.
Each village has its own vineyard and appellations, red (pinot noir) and/or white (Chardonnay), and along the route, you will walk through a harmonious landscape full of charm: Gentle curves, vineyards organised into parcels, some of them surrounded by dry stone walls, a river or hedge. These are the 'Clos' (enclosed plots), whose entrance is sometimes adorned with impressive gates or porches bearing the owner's name. Some plots have also retained their small limestone structures, called 'Cabotes', which used to serve as tool stores, somewhere the winemaker could rest and stop for a bite to eat.
Fine wines pairs with fine cuisine. During this tour, your taste buds are invited to taste the traditional beef bourguignon, a wine-based dish bien sur, to dishes that are 'en meurette,' meaning cooked with lardons and red wine. Such dishes include œufs au vin (eggs), coq au vin and jambon persille (parsleyed ham). All regional dishes are either prepared and/or enjoyed with wine.
An emblematic city of gastronomy and lifestyle, Dijon is also the gateway to some of the most prestigious vineyards in France. Stroll in the narrow streets of the old city and feel free to follow the smell of mustard and gingerbread and stop for a tasting. Dijon is called 'The town of 100 bells', because of its beautifully preserved architectural heritage, dating back to the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
Wander in the cobbled streets lined with half-timbered houses. There are marvellous mansions with jewel coloured tiled roofs, a regional feature, which glint in the sunlight. Reach Les 'Halles' indoor market : this indoor market is an absolute feast of flavour. Let yourself be captivated by the capital of Burgundy, and enjoy the beauty and wealth of its heritage and gastronomic delights.
You stay at Hotel des Ducs.
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This hotel is located in historic centre of Dijon, listed as a World Heritage site by Unesco, 50 m from The Palace of the Dukes. It offers a bar and free Wi-Fi. Hotel Des Ducs serves a buffet breakfast each morning and guests can relax with a drink on the terrace. Rooms at Hotel Des Ducs are equipped with a telephone, flat-screen TV and private bathroom with bath or shower. The rooms are accessible by lift and some are air-conditioned. Hotel Des Ducs is less than 50 m from the Museum of Fine Arts, the city's opera house and the city's shopping area.
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
Transfer to Marsannay, a city reputed for its rose wines (unique in the Burgundian region). This village opens the Route des Grands Crus de Bourgogne and offers a landscape of soft curves, where vineyards run in close rows from villages to villages. This is a land where the plots surrounded by old dry stone walls are called clos (enclosures), and where beautiful castles like to leapfrog up the hills. With its double vaulted cellars, Marsannay's cellar is a good place to start on the route. Continue towards Fixey and Gevrey-Chambertin. Known worldwide, the small town didn't let fame change it-it's still peacefully wrapped around its Romanesque church and medieval castle. To get a look at the town's panorama, you have to take the high path, just behind the vineyards. It is worth a look!
You stay at Hotel Arts et Terroirs.
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The hotel features elegantly styled rooms with beautiful old pewter and copper furniture. They are equipped with modern en suite facilities and free Wi-Fi internet access. Take time to relax in the spacious drawing room with its classy interior and warm and intimate wine bar.
Cross through the Grand Cru vineyards and pass by the village of Chambolle Musigny before continuing to one of the most famous sites of Burgundy, the majestic Château de Clos Vougeot.
Your path continues across the vineyards of Echezeaux and Romanée-Conti.You could almost miss this vineyard (and what a shame if you did)! A simple sign in the shape of a crucifix by the side of the road indicates one of the most treasured grape plots in the world, that of the domain Romanee-Conti. It is there, on 1.8 hectares (4.5 acres), that the most expensive and most famous red wines on the planet are born. The secret of this nectar with aromas of rosehips and rose petals? Its climate, its land which enjoys perfect exposure and the work of the winemakers that has improved the wine over the centuries. Continue your way until you arrive at Nuit St Georges. The small town that gives its name to the famous Côte de Nuits is the cradle of some of the world’s greatest red wines. Nuits-Saint-Georges also welcomes the Cassissium, a place dedicated to cassis, the black gold of Burgundy.
You stay at Hostellerie la Gentilhommiere.
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this typical Burgundy hotel is housed in a 16th-century hunting lodge. La Gentilhomière offers comfortable rooms and suites with personalised decor and modern amenities including free Wi-Fi internet access, complimentary cakes and pastries, and a coffee machine. When the weather is fine you can enjoy access to the large outdoor swimming pool and open-air tennis courts. There is also a beautiful 13-hectare park crossed by the River Meuzin.
Today's walk leads you to the Hautes Cotes de Nuits. Pass through charming villages and descend into the Cotes de Beaune and Aloxe Corton. At the foot of the 'illuminated' mountain of Corton, Aloxe-Corton, a village with three chateaux, produces two grands crus. Corton red is the Emperor of the red grands crus of the Cote de Beaune, while the second, Corton Charlemagne white, is the Emperor's wine, 'Carolus Magnus' having owned a vineyard here in the 8th century.
The story of Burgundy's authentic villages is told through its old stone buildings, castles and churches, Romanesque art and medieval houses, reflecting a rich past. Along your way you will discover washhouses, fountains, churches. It will only take a moment of contemplation or a conversation with a local to understand that in those small villages, the past, the present and the future come together at the same time.
A magical Burgundian city of medieval charm, famous for its hospices and ramparts. Enjoy a visit at the 'Hotel Dieu' this flamboyant Gothic 15th century former hospital, crowned with polychrome slates, is known worldwide for its 60 hectare (150 acre) vineyard. The wines of Cotes de Nuit, Pouilly-Fuisse and Cotes de Beaune are sold at auction.
Do not miss the weekly market on Wednesdays for an introduction to the local products and gastronomy.
You stay at Hostellerie de la Bretonniere.
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In Beaune, the Hostellerie de Bretonnière is a former coaching inn dating back to the 18th century. With its old stones and its flower-filled courtyard, this traditional building offers all the comfort, and is only 5 minutes walking distance from the historical centre of Beaune. Seat on the terrace and enjoy the calm of the inner courtyard.
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
Walk through the first Premiers Crus vineyards, heading to Pommard. When one thinks of red wine, Pommard is a name that first comes to the lips, a name evocative of a village and an iconic vineyard of Burgundy where Pinot Noir reigns supreme. A pleasure for the eyes as well as the tongue, Pommard is home to an 18th century castle built in front of the vineyards, boasting magnificent French-style gardens, vaulted cellars and an astonishing art gallery with exceptional cuvees and works by Dali, Picasso and Miro.
Then continue in the direction of Meursault. The unjustly charming capital of the great white wines of Burgundy, with a vineyard mostly planted with chardonnay grapes, lying in the middle of the hills of a gentle slope. With its vineyard castles, its cozy houses, its great restaurants lorded over by spire of its gothic church, Meursault embodies 'la douce France' (sweet or gentle France).
You stay at Hotel Les Hauts de Meursault.
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In Mersault, just 100 metres from The Burgundy Wine Road, Hôtel Les Hauts de Meursault offers a terrace, bar, lounge and library. Enjoy the local cuisine at the restaurant and lovely wine from Burgundy.
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
Make your way across the vineyards, to pass through hamlets, forest and reach Chateau of La Rochepot. This 12th-century feudal castle of neo-Gothic-Burgundian style is covered with glazed burgundy tiles and is jewel in the green scenery.
Then wind through the Grands Crus of Chassagne-Montrachet and Puligny-Montrachet. Here is a vineyard that does not deserve to be judged by its cover-it's set up on a rocky hill of a bald mountain that turns out to be a terroir of excellence in the heart of the Cote de Beaune. In this ocean of vineyards, two villages, accomplices and rivals at the same time, share the honor of producing the world's grandest dry white wine.
If you'd like to extend your trip with extra hotel nights we recommend: Hotel des Ducs, Dijon; Hotel Les Hauts de Meursault, Meursault.
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This hotel is located in historic centre of Dijon, listed as a World Heritage site by Unesco, 50 m from The Palace of the Dukes. It offers a bar and free Wi-Fi. Hotel Des Ducs serves a buffet breakfast each morning and guests can relax with a drink on the terrace. Rooms at Hotel Des Ducs are equipped with a telephone, flat-screen TV and private bathroom with bath or shower. The rooms are accessible by lift and some are air-conditioned. Hotel Des Ducs is less than 50 m from the Museum of Fine Arts, the city's opera house and the city's shopping area.
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
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In Mersault, just 100 metres from The Burgundy Wine Road, Hôtel Les Hauts de Meursault offers a terrace, bar, lounge and library. Enjoy the local cuisine at the restaurant and lovely wine from Burgundy.
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
We do not currently have departure dates and prices available on-line. The season may have ended for this tour, or we are still in the process of adding these details to our website.
Please contact our sales team on 01606 720199 to for further details or to discuss alternavie trip options.
Self-guided walking
7 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 1
Leisurely
9.0Kg CO2e
