Bourgogne-Franche-Comte
Welcome to Burgundy, France’s Premier Wine Region
The region of Burgundy is located southwest of Paris. It is easily accessible from Paris via high-speed TGV train, modern highways, and a network of rivers and canals. Burgundy is considered the wine capital of France, and with good reason: the wines of Burgundy set the standard for the world. Visit Burgundy with us.
The Saone River, the Canal de Bourgogne, and numerous other waterways provide a leisurely means for a river boat vacation in France. From behind the wheel of a rented boat you can glide along tree-lined canals, floating along at the pace of a brisk walk (that is about as fast as the boats will go). Luxurious hotel-barges offer exquisite service, haute cuisine, and the best wines of the region.
Cuisine includes the famous boeuf bourguignon, coq au vin, and garlicky escargot. And who could forget that Dijon, the capital of the region, is synonymous with mustard! Burgundy (or Bourgogne in French) is home to what have been called “the best wines in Christendom.” Famous vineyards include Chamberlain, Pommard, Meursault, Chablis, Pouilly-Fuisse, and a long list of other well-known names.
The city of Beaune hosts an annual three-day wine auction that draws vinophiles from across the globe. The event is called “Les Trois Glorieuses” and is held in the Hospices de Beaune, a former charity hospital from the 15th century. (We offer both a one day trip to Burgundy from Paris and a great overnight Burgundy trip.)
The nearby medieval city of Vézelay has much to offer history lovers. The Ste-Madeleine Basilica here was finished in 878 A.D. St. Bernard preached the Second Crusade from its pulpit, and in 1190 A.D. two kings (Richard the Lionheart of England, and Philippe-Auguste of France), met here to launch the Third Crusade.
The city of Dijon is also a delight. The city’s Palais des Ducs, which is home to the wonderful Musee des Beaux-Arts, is often referred to as “Le Petit Louvre.”
Last note: We get this question a lot: Is Burgundy wine red? The answer is, not all Burgundy wines are red. There are many great white wines from the region, but the reds are most well known. In fact, if you like California Chardonnay, you’ll be interested to know it was modelled after Burgundy white wine.
Visit the website of the tourist office of Burgundy for more information about this beautiful region of France.
Dijon, France Information
Capital of Burgundy
Dijon owes its origins to its strategic position in Celtic times on the tin merchants’ route from Britain up the Seine and across the Alps to the Adriatic Sea.
Dijon became the capital of Burgundy around 1000 A.D., but its golden age occurred in the 14th and 15th centuries under the auspices of dukes Philippe le Hardi (the Bold), who as a boy had fought the English at Poitiers, Jean sans Peur (the Fearless), Philippe le Bon (the Good), who sold Joan of Arc to the English, and Charles le Temeraire.
The collective dukes used their tremendous wealth and power – especially their control of the Flanders region, the dominant manufacturing region of the age – to make Dijon one of the greatest centers of art, learning and science in Europe. It lost its capital status on incorporation into the kingdom of France in 1477, but has remained one of the country’s preeminent provincial cities, especially since the rail and industrial booms of the mid-nineteenth century.
Today, Dijon is a modern and young city with a thriving base of college-age students. A fantastic place to visit while on vacation in France.
Visit the website of the tourist office of Dijon for more information.
Dijon – Places to See
- Palais des Ducs et des Etats de Bourgogne
- Saint-Benigne Cathedral and its 11th-century crypt
- Dijon’s museums (free admission)
- The Burgundy vineyard and its wine-tasting cellars
- The covered market and surrounding cobblestone streets
Franche-Comte
Welcome to Besançon and the Franche-Comte region
Discover Franche-Comte, a beautiful but perhaps little known part of France. Far away from the main highways, picturesque roads will entice you with a countryside full of wild, fascinating, ever-changing scenery.
More than half of the region is covered with forests and rivers. There are also over eighty lakes in the region. The Franche-Comte region is situated along the German and Swiss borders, between Alsace and Burgundy. From its capital city of Besançon, to Montbeliard, Belfort and Luxeuil-les-Bains, there are many historic towns and villages to explore.
Don’t forget to try the regions namesake Comté cheese, hand made in “fruiteries”, with some Jura wines, the “vin jaune”, and the wines from Chateau-Chalon and Arbois.
Besançon stages a famous music festival every September lasting for two weeks. Another exceptional site to visit are the Royal Saltworks at Arc-et-Senans.
Visit the website of the tourist office of Bourgogne Franche-Comte for more information.
The City of Besançon
Roman ruins near Switzerland
Besançon is the capital of the Franche-Comte region in eastern France. The city and surrounding area are home to more than 240,000 residents. The city is very close to the border with Switzerland.
Visit the website of the tourist office of Besançon for more information.
Contact us to book a perfect France vacation.