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Burgundy, France tourist information

Burgundy (Bourgogne) is found in the center of France, just north-east of the geographical center and south east of Paris. It covers the region from Sens and Auxerre in the north, and south to Macon (just north of Lyon). The departments in Burgundy are: Saone-et-Loire, Nievre, Cote d'Or, Yonne

The Burgundy region was for several centuries independent of France (until 1477) - the region sided with the English 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.

It is the legacies of this golden age of prosperity that provide many of the major attractions in Burgundy. The 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 - such household names as Chablis and Beaune 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.

Cote d'Or

For architectural treasures, Cote d'Or is home to the Abbey at Fontenay, one of France's finest abbeys.

For nature and the great outdoors head south-west to the Morvan regional park, and for beautiful villages be sure to visit Chateauneuf-en-Auxois and Semur-en-Auxois. Flavigny is another Burgundy village here well worth visiting.

For larger towns visit Beaune - famous for its wine and its medieval hospital complex - and Dijon - famous of course for Dijon mustard.

Cote d'Or highlights

Beaune  Chateauneuf-en-Auxois  Chatillon-sur-Seine  Dijon  Flavigny  Fontenay Abbey  Saulieu Semur-en-Auxois

See Cote d'Or department details

Yonne

Yonne department is perhaps best known for its medieval architecture.

There are castles, with both traditional castles such as those at Ancy-le-France and Tanlay, and the new castle building project at Guedelon. Vezelay Abbey and Pontigny Abbey are also very important monuments in Yonne.

There are numerous towns and villages in the region worth visiting, including Avallon, Sens, Joigny, Auxerre, Clamecy...two of the most popular villages are the pretty village of Noyers-sur-Serein, and the wine village of Chablis, famous worldwide for the wine it produces.

Yonne highlights

Ancy-le-Franc castle Auxerre   Avallon Chablis Guedelon Joigny   Noyers-sur-Serein  Pontigny Sens  Tanlay castle Tonnerre Vezelay 

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 - that we associate with Burgundy. The Morvan Regional Parc is a particularly scenic part of the department.

Nievre highlights

Clamecy  Morvan Regional Park Nevers 

See Nievre department details

Saone-et-Loire

The southern part of Burgundy is less part of the tourist trail than the northern part, with its famous medieval monuments, but still has plenty 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.

Saone-et-Loire highlights

Anzy-le-Duc Autun  Chalon-sur-Saone  Cluny Cormatin Louhans  Macon  Paray-le-Monial  Semur-en-Brionnais Tournus

See Saone-et-Loire department details

Visit Burgundy - travel information

Places to visit in Burgundy - more information

To see a larger map which shows places to visit in Burgundy in more detail (castles, classified most beautiful villages etc) see Map of Burgundy. (Also includes a full alphabetical list of all places in Burgundy in France This Way.)

See also Burgundy (version Francais)