Burgundy in 4 days
Burgundy reads like a history book laid over a vineyard. In Dijon the dukes left a palace, glazed tile roofs and a mustard-based cuisine; in Beaune, the Hôtel-Dieu of 1443 shows off its patterned tiles above cellars where the great wines lie.
The plan, day by day
Day 1
- Morning
Hospices de Beauneabout 1 h 30A hospital founded in 1443 that treated patients until 1971, with glazed yellow, green and red roofs and a 50-metre ward of red-curtained beds.
Day 2
- All day
Route des Grands Crusfree · a full daySixty kilometres from Dijon to Santenay through 37 wine villages, among the dry-stone walls of the climats, UNESCO-listed in 2015.
Day 3
- Morning
Château du Clos de Vougeotabout 1 hIn a walled vineyard founded by the monks of Cîteaux, a Renaissance château with four huge oak presses, home of the Tastevin brotherhood.
- Afternoon
Dijon and the Palace of the Dukesfree · half a dayFollow the owl trail through the old town to the dukes' palace, whose fine arts museum holds their tombs and alabaster mourners.
Day 4
- Morning
Fontenay Abbeyabout 1 h 30Founded in 1118 by St Bernard and UNESCO-listed in 1981, one of the most complete Cistercian abbeys, with its church, cloister, dormitory and 12th-century forge.
- Afternoon
Vézelay Basilicafree · about 1 h 30Where the Second Crusade was preached in 1146, and a start of the road to Santiago, with a carved tympanum and two-tone arches.
- Late afternoon
Rock of Solutréfree · about 2 hA 493-metre limestone crag above the Pouilly-Fuissé vineyards that gave its name to the Solutrean culture, explained in the museum at its foot.
Further afield (over 130 km from the base hotel), best as a separate stop: Guédelon Castle.
Where to sleep in Burgundy
- ibis Beaune Centre · €85 a night
- Hôtel Le Jacquemart · €80 a night
- Hôtel Le Chambellan · €70 a night
- Hôtel des Remparts · €140 a night
- Hôtel Wilson · €130 a night
- Hôtel des Tonneliers · €120 a night
- Grand Hôtel La Cloche · €250 a night
- Hostellerie de Levernois · €320 a night
- Hôtel Vertigo · €180 a night
Plan this trip
Hotel prices per room per night, checked when written. Some links are affiliate links: we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.