Burgundy is a region in eastern France that is famous for its world-famous wine, renowned cuisine, heritage sites and awe-inspiring landscapes. Whether you choose to spend your holiday in Dijon or Beaune, this charming region has all the ingredients for a perfect vacation!
The activity in burgundy is related to the color of wine and can have different spiritual meanings. For instance, drinking a glass of this wine during the official Christian Mass is related to Jesus’ blood.
Food Markets
Burgundy’s a culinary paradise that teems with atmospheric places to eat, from rustic traditional restaurants and venerable gastronomical temples to a constellation of Michelin-starred restaurants and irresistible country auberges. This region of France, where food and wine are revered to the point of obsession, is home to some of the world’s most acclaimed dishes — from snails to coq au vin to boeuf bourgignon.
Every town has a market, and most feature weekly gatherings of local farmers, producers and traders. These often take place in the town’s main square or a larger outdoor market that spills into nearby streets.
Throughout the season, displays shift with the changing produce: asparagus, strawberries and Cavaillon melons (like little cantaloupes) in spring; green and purple tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and other vegetables in summer; pheasants, rabbits and wild mushrooms in the fall and winter. For a special treat, look for truffles during November and December, and try judrus (large sausages), which are typical of Chagny and go well with red wines from the Hautes Cotes de Beaune.
Crafts Markets
Burgundy is one of the most beautiful and intriguing places in France, with a reputation as the land of fine art and good living. The region is a vast and varied landscape of wide fertile river beds, dense forests and granite hills.
In spring, the rapeseed fields and the vineyards are at their most colourful. It’s the perfect time to take a leisurely stroll around a pretty town or vineyard, sipping some of Burgundy’s best wines and sampling delicious local cuisine.
A number of crafts markets are held throughout the year, and these can be a great place to find handmade gifts or souvenirs. These markets often feature local products, such as honey, gingerbread, mustard and foie gras, and are a great way to sample the regional cuisine.
Wine Tastings
Burgundy, or Bourgogne in French, is a wine-producing region that has long been considered one of the world’s finest. Founded around the two grapes Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, it produces a wide range of different wines.
Whether you prefer red or white wines, there’s always a great selection to choose from in Burgundy. The reds are typically lighter and delicate, pairing well with a range of dishes including simple French meals such as charcuterie boards, lamb or duck.
A wine tasting is often included in a tour or vacation package, but you can also do it independently. If you’re looking for a more intimate experience, check out local wine stores where they will usually have a small number of open bottles for taste.
Visiting the prestigious wine-growing territory of Burgundy with a knowledgeable guide is the perfect way to discover the region’s rich wine-making history and culture. Learn about the region’s unique terroir and complicated terms like “appellation” or “grand cru”. It’s a must-do for any wine lover or budding oenophile.
Music Festivals
Summer is a big time in burgundy: roaring river waters, sunny days and outdoor festivals galore. Almost every wine-growing village hosts a music festival – and many more are held in towns and villages.
The most famous is the Festival of St Vincent, which is always on the first weekend after January 22nd (usually a freeze). This is a huge event for the local winegrowers who parade through the streets of their host village with a statuette of Saint Vincent carried by the winegrower himself and musicians representing each of the winegrower’s Appellations.
Another big event is the Meursault Festival of Music and Wine which has been held at Chateau de Meursault since 1979 and has grown into a four-day festival of classical music and wine tastings in one of the most picturesque parts of burgundy. This year, the festival will include a recital by Canadian soprano Vivica Genaux. It will also include a fund-raising auction for young promising artists.