Burgundy, or Bourgogne as it is known in
Europe, is made up of four departments - the Yonne, the Côte
d’Or, Nièvre, and Saône-et-Loire.
Everywhere in the lush Burgundy
countryside there are unspoiled villages. Tiny villages,
manor farms and millhouses, beautiful parish churches and
open-air stone laundries down by the stream sum up the rural
soul of France.
Dijon is the capital of the whole region
- an attractive, traditional town worth visiting. Dijon
produces the famous Dijon mustard.
Burgundy is a region rich in history and
culture. Until the late 18th century Burgundy was not part of
France but a Dukedom ruled by the powerful Burgundy Dukes and
at one time were allies to the English kings against the
French king.
Sitting between the Morvan and the Vosges,
Burgundy is well-known for its wines, its fine gastronomy and
also for the Roman architecture from Vezelay to Autun and
south to the noble ruins of Cluny.
Important rivers such as the Saone and
Yonne flow through Burgundy allowing access to the Rhone and
Seine.
Burgundy has some fine examples
of ancient architecture, chateaux and picturesque villages,
art museums, car museums, canal tours, Michelin-starred
restaurants and Dijon to name but a few.
Burgundy enjoys a rich and varied heritage -discover the fine
examples of Romanesque and Gothic architecture - Vezelay and
L'Abbaye de Fontenay have been important through the centuries
and are spectacular. Travel back in time at the stately homes
and medieval villages of Noyers and Nolay.
Saone et Loire sits at the heart of Burgundy. Mâcon is the
administrative capital of the Saône et Loire department and is
a river port which was once of great strategic importance to
the Romans. Today it is a bustling town and its wine fair has
a worldwide reputation attracting thousands of visitors every
year.
From the top of the cliffs
which take about 45 minutes to climb, you can see the Alps if
the weather is good.
Bourbon-Lancy is a town of two parts. The old town is built on
a hill and the spa.
Chalon sur Saône is an
industrial town with a historic centre. Chalon is the
birthplace of photography and the Nicéphore Niepce Museum is a
must for anyone interested in the art. In the old centre visit
Place St Vincent, with its medieval houses, Rue St Vincent,
Rue des Fèvres and Place Louis Calliat.
Coussac-Bonneval is a small
town with a population of 1,600 set in beautiful surroundings
and having a fine 14th century castle. Yonne is a popluar holiday
destination for boating holidays having many inland waterways
including the River Yonne, the canal de Bourgogne and the
canal du Nivernais.
Among its major towns is Auxerre, he regional capital. Auxerre
has many small paved streets, shops and riverside restaurants.
St. Etienne Cathedral, St. Germain Abbey, Carolingian crypts
and the Leblanc-Devernoy Museum are all worth a visit. Haute-Vienne is named after
the Vienne River. It is one of three départements which
together constitute the French région of Limousin. The only
city of any size in the Haute-Vienne is Limoges with all other
towns having a population of less than 20,000.
Holiday rentals, gites, farmhouses and
houses for rent in Cote d'Or
The Cote d'Or is rich in
history and culture and themain Burgundy wines are to be found
here betwwen Dijon and Beaune.
The Cote d'Or is an excellent holiday destination as theTGV
high speed train service can take you to the heart of Burgundy
from Paris in just over an hour, low cost air flights operate
from London and the area sits on an excellent road network.
The main wine vines start on the southern outskirts of Dijon
with the fields following the south east facing hills.
Grand Mercure Chateau Perrache Lyon
Centre Hotel, Burgundy
The Grand Mercure Chateau Perrache
Lyon Centre Hotel with Art Nouveau architechture and classic,
elegant interior design is set in a convenient location of the city
centre near the train station and the Place Bellecour. The 111 rooms
feature air-conditioning, hairdryer, minibar, room service and Cable
TV. The hotel also features a restaurant, bar and meeting rooms. Set
in a favourable location, this hotel has a relaxing atmosphere.
Chateau Gilly, Burgundy
Dating back to the14th century, the
Château de Gilly is a luxury hotel in the heart of rural Burgundy.
In impressive grounds, its location is tranquil yet ideal for
touring, with Dijon and Beaune just 20 minutes' drive. The superb
restaurant, in beautiful 16th century chambers, offers gastronomic
cuisine and regional specialities. A must for wine lovers, the hotel
claims a cellar of 25,000 bottles.
Beaune, Burgundy
A few minutes' walk from the ramparts
of historic Beaune, the Mercure is a well situated touring base in
Burgundy. The hotel has the advantage of a pleasant outdoor swimming
pool and garden area for relaxing, plus a good standard restaurant.
Dijon, Burgundy
Superbly located in the heart of the
engaging city of Dijon, the Philippe le Bon is a truly delightful
hotel, housed partly within an historical building dating back to
the 15th and 17th centuries. Bedrooms are located in a modern wing,
while the hotel's superb gastronomic restaurant is to be found in a
separate building adjacent to a peaceful courtyard.
