Renowned for fabulous wines, gastronomic specialties, and UNESCO World Heritage listed sites, Burgundy is truly a must-see part of France. A weekend getaway to Burgundy is the perfect amount of time take in the fine wines, gourmet foods, stunning landscapes and rich cultural experiences.
A Weekend Getaway to Burgundy
How to Get to Burgundy
From Paris, Burgundy can easily reached by either car or train. The high speed TGV train from Paris to Dijon takes just over 90 minutes. For a leisurely drive, it’s possible to reach Beaune from Paris in a little over three hours. Getting from Dijon to Lyon is equally as convenient by TGV train or car – both take under two hours.
Day One: Private Cooking Class and Custom Wine Tasting
Begin your weekend getaway in Burgundy in gourmet style. Enjoy a market visit, cooking class, and a gourmet lunch followed by a custom wine tasting.
In the morning, you’ll head to the cooking school in Beaune for a full day of exploring, cooking, and tasting. This class is designed to introduce you to the delightful gastronomic culture of the region. Highlights include a morning market tour, a two-hour hands-on cooking class, a Champagne apéritif followed by a seven-course menu including a local cheese course, and a Burgundian wine pairing hand-selected from a wine shop.
The menu changes constantly depending on the season. It is always full of new surprises from favorite artisan food producers and from cooking school’s own potager. Participate and learn as the chefs explain and demonstrate the classic French culinary techniques used in each recipe, from sautéing to searing to sauce-making. Afterwards, head up to the airy third-floor dining room for a leisurely lunch. Gather around a zinc-topped table for a convivial lunch in simple French fashion, next to a wall of windows overlooking the atrium below. Candles will be lit and Champagne flutes will be filled.
After lunch, enjoy a one hour custom wine tasting. Your wine expert will enlighten immerse you into the world of Burgundy wines. Select six sought-after cuvées and learn how to assess the qualities of outstanding wine. During this private session you’ll discover your wine profile, the most remarkable terroirs of Burgundy, biodynamic winemaking techniques, as well as how to connect with your senses. It’s the perfect introduction into the world of Burgundy wines!
Where to Stay in Burgundy
Hostellerie de Levernois
Nestled in a bucolic setting, this 18th century house converted into a 5-star hotel outside of Beaune offers the authentic charm of a beautiful mansion composed of three buildings. In harmony with the nature, a six hectare park surrounds the hotel, providing a quiet environment where guests can find peace and tranquility.
The 26 bedrooms and suites are bright and colorful. Each of the rooms has its own identity, combining tradition and modernity.
Bathed in light, with view of the park and the river that runs through it, the restaurant welcomes guests for a moment of happiness. Particularly attentive to the quality, the Chef favors seasonal products from local producers, sometimes even directly cultivated by the in-house gardener.
If you are a sports person, don’t miss the 18-hole golf course and the tennis court. Various other activities are offered such as bicycles and wine tours. Charging stations for electric vehicles are available on site.
Day Two: Discover the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits Wines
Spend day two on the weekend getaway to Burgundy discovering two remarkable styles of wines: Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits. 27 appellations, 36 communes and over 1,200 climats make up the incredible landscape. Over centuries, winegrowers have worked extensively to refine the terroir.
In this exceptional full-day tour, learn about the concept of terroir, invented over 2,000 years ago in Burgundy. You’ll discover the influence of geology on Burgundy wines, the diversity of terroirs of the Côte de Beaune and the Côte de Nuits through their geological complexities and a precise study of the landscape, the work of the winemakers, how Burgundy wines are classified, the ever important concept of climate and more.
Your expert local guide is an expert in Burgundy wines (and completely bilingual). The day includes three private visits where you will taste both white and red wines and young and old vintages – 20 wines in total including 12 Premiers Crus and Grands Crus and a minimum of eight Clos. This is a unique moment to discover the true diamonds of the Burgundy terroir: Clos de Tart, Clos de la Roche, and Clos des Lambrays.
Where to Stay in Burgundy
Le Relais Bernard Loiseau
This luxurious 5-star hotel is located in the Morvan Regional Natural Park in the heart of Dijon.
The hotel is set on four levels, serviced by the emblematic oak stair tower. The 33 rooms and suites are authentically furnished with stunning details, combining tradition with modern amenities and comforts.
The restaurant embodies excellence and an attachment to the terroir of Burgundy. The chef seeks to bring nature, and more particularly the Morvan, onto each plate.
The spa offers a unique experience to customers. It is composed of a multi-sensory space for an intense and diverse stimulation of the five senses and another space more conducive to relaxation and well-being.
A weekend getaway to Burgundy is a perfect escape to the French countryside, especially for food and wine lovers. French Side Travel would love to help you plan a dream trip to France with a custom, completely tailor-made itinerary. Some of our favorite destinations in France include Paris, the South of France, Normandy, and Paris. Get in touch with a travel designer today to start the planning process.