Burgundy, France travel guide
Burgundy (Bourgogne) is found in central-eastern France, south east of Paris. It covers the region from Sens and Auxerre in the north, and south to Macon (just north of Lyon).
The Burgundy region was for several centuries independent of France (until 1477) and the region sided with the English against the French during the Hundred Years War. During that period it was a very rich state, and continues to be one of the more wealthy regions of France to this day. Indeed it is the legacies of this golden age of prosperity that still provide many of the major attractions in Burgundy.
Other main reasons that people visit the region are for the attractive countryside, including the Morvan Regional Park, and the wine - Burgundy wine is held in high esteem the world over, and such household wine names as Chablis, Beaune and Nuits-Saint-Georges come from this part of France.
Places to visit in Burgundy
The following is a brief summary of the highlights of a visit to Burgundy - for more details see the individual departments (the departments in Burgundy are Saone-et-Loire, Nievre, Cote d'Or and Yonne).
Cote d'Or
Cote d'Or is home to Fontenay Abbey, one of France's finest abbeys and architectural treasures, and close to Montbard.
For nature and the great outdoors head south-west to the Morvan regional park, entred via the gateway town of Saulieu, and for beautiful villages be sure to visit Chateauneuf-en-Auxois and Semur-en-Auxois. Nearby Flavigny is another Burgundy village in the department that is well worth visiting (and classified one of the 'most beautiful villages of France'). To the east of Cote d'Or visit Chatillon-sur-Seine and the Treasure of Vix.
For larger towns visit Beaune - famous for its wine and its medieval hospital complex - and Dijon - famous of course for Dijon mustard.
See Cote d'Or department details
Yonne
Yonne department is perhaps best known for its medieval architecture.
There are chateaux to visit, with both 'traditional' castles such as those at Ancy-le-Franc castle and Tanlay castle, while for something different the new castle building project at Guedelon is recommended. Other very important monuments in Yonne include Vezelay Abbey and Pontigny Abbey.
There are numerous towns and villages in the region worth visiting, including Avallon (a personal favourite) and Sens, Joigny and Tonnerre, and Auxerre,
For pretty Burgundy villages see Montreal and Noyers-sur-Serein, and also stop for wine-tasting at the village of Chablis, famous worldwide for the fine wine produced on the surrounding hills.
See Yonne department details
Nievre
Nievre has some notable towns to visit including Clamecy and Nevers.
It also contains a large part of the unspoiled countryside - small-scall agriculture interspersed by streams and ancient woodlands on the rolling countryside that we associate with Burgundy. The Morvan Regional Park is a particularly scenic part of the department, often entered via the gateway town of Corbigny.
See Nievre department details
Saone-et-Loire
The southern part of Burgundy is a less established part of the tourist trail than the northern part, with its famous medieval monuments, but still has much to discover and explore.
The highlight is perhaps the well-known abbey at Cluny. The Paray-le-Monial basilica and the church at Anzy-le-Duc are other important religious monuments. Stepping further back in time, see the Roman ruins at Autun.
The attractive village of Semur-en-Brionnais and the towns of Tournus and Macon are also highlights of a visit to this southern part of Burgundy. The historical centre of Chalon-sur-Saone and the chateau at Cormatin are also popular Saone-et-Loire attractions.
See Saone-et-Loire department details
Visit Burgundy - tourist information
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See also Burgundy (version Francais)
