US
Burgundy
France
- Countryside
- Divine vin
- Country life
- Keen as mustard
Located in the heart of France, Burgundy is a region of peaceful canals, well-tended vineyards and rural charm – the epitome of la vie Française.
But this rich, rolling farmland also has a fascinating history as a once powerful duchy, whose traces can still be seen in the imposing Ducal Palace in the mediaeval centre of Dijon, the beautiful Cistercian abbey of Fontenay, and the many Romanesque churches that dot the hills and plains. Today, Burgundy’s power and influence lies in its food and wine and its wealth is contained within the rich gastronomie bourguignonne and precious Côte d’Or vintages.
Pictured: Chateau de Créancey
Boutique hotels in Burgundy
Our round-up of the hippest hideaways and boutique hotels in Burgundy
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Getting there
Planes, trains, automobiles, or maybe even helicopter – we tell you the best way to go.
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Worth getting out of bed for
Highlights the best Burgundy has to offer, from art and culture to fun-packed activities; we've even found the most inspiring place to enjoy the views from.
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Eating, drinking & dancing
We've tracked down the best cafés for people-watching, the bars with the coolest cocktails, the most accomplished restaurants and the liveliest local nightlife in Burgundy. All you have to do is make sure you've packed your favourite threads…
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Smith Maps
Use this interactive map of Burgundy to find your hotel and then navigate your way around the gastronomic centre of France.
moreLocal knowledge
- Taxis
- In towns, pick up a cab from a taxi rank or hail one on the street. If you’re travelling in more remote areas, try to book one in advance in order to avoid a long wait.
- Tipping culture
- A service charge is normally added to your bill (service compris) in restaurants and cafés but it’s still customary to leave a small tip. For taxi drivers, add 10 percent to the metered charge.
- Siesta and Fiesta
- Shops increasingly stay open all day in the larger cities but many still take a break for lunch and are closed on Sunday. Banks are open Monday to Friday, and some also on Saturdays. Many restaurants close after 14h and re-open in the afternoon around 4pm. It’s also common for restaurants to be closed on Mondays or Tuesdays.
- Packing tips
- A healthy appetite to indulge in all that wonderful cuisine – and some comfortable shoes to walk it all off with.
- Recommended reads
- Long Ago in France: The Years in Dijon by MFK Fisher celebrates the regions cuisine.
- Cuisine
- Burgundy’s top restaurants, many of which are Michelin-starred, serve up highly prized local ingredients including tender Charolais beef and excellent Chablis and Beaujolais wines. Dijon is also world-famous for its mustard and it’s worth hunting down some of the more exotic varieties. Well known dishes such as boeuf bourguignon and coq au vin originate from the region, and this is also the place to try the celebrated French dish of escargot (snails). The Morvan area produces wonderful goats’ cheeses, too. Kir – white wine with crème de cassis – is an inventive way try the local blackcurrants.
- Currency
- Euro.
- Time zone
- GMT +1.
- Dialing codes
- Country code for France: 33. Dijon: 038.
- Do go/don't go
- Summers are hot and sunny, while winters are cold and clear. Spring sees more rainfall but fewer crowds in the towns and cities. The oak and maple forests look spectacular in autumn and the wine harvest in October and November produces a new year of classic vintages.
