Linked
to its famous wine is a history
of Burgundian food. The famous
beef bourguignon,
coq au vin, escargot and the wonderful tastes of many “peasant” dishes
are just some of the many riches
of this area, not forgetting the
world famous Dijon mustard. The
riches of the region, however,
go far beyond wine, food and fabulous
restaurants. Most famously, Burgundy
is home to the French Formula 1
Grand Prix.
For the outdoor enthusiast Burgundy
offers rivers,
canals, lakes, large forests, rolling countryside
and the gem of the area, the
Morvan National Park. One of
the best ways to explore the
region and soak up its atmosphere
is by boat. Burgundy is the perfect
setting for waterway holidays,
including the beautiful Canal
de Bourgogne. Walking or cycling
along the canals is also a popular
pastime.
History also abounds in the
area. A centre of medieval religious
faith, many relics from its Roman
past can still be viewed in the
two great abbeys in Vezelay and
Fontenay, and the ruins of the
monastery at Cluny.
Whether your interest is exploring
Dijon’s medieval churches
or sampling fine wines in Beaune,
cruising along one of Burgundy’s
many canals or simply taking
in the fabulous scenery by bike
or foot, Burgundy has something
to offer everyone.
Burgundy comprises four departments:
Cote d’Or, Nievre, Saone
et Loire and Yonne.
- Cote
d'Or (Golden Hillside)
is home to many of the great
Burgundy wines and Dijon,
the capital of the region.
Famous for more than just
mustard, this vibrant university
city boasts streets rich
in medieval and renaissance
architecture and a collection
of great paintings and sculptures
in the Musee des Beaux-Arts.
Dijon is definitely worth
visiting during one of its
festivals, such as the carnival
in March with its parade
of giant masks, July’s
national street artist festival
or for the October film festival.
- Nievre is
a department of diverse landscapes.
Extending from the Morvan mountain
range in the east to the Loire
and Allier river valley plains
in the southwest, the Nievre
is for those who prefer an
active holiday offering a variety
of things to do such as canoeing,
skiing, horse riding, cycling,
climbing & fishing. The
canals of Nievre, on the other
hand, are given over to boating,
cycling and walking along the
canal towpaths. The small provincial
capital Nevers is known for
its nougatine candies and fine
porcelain sold in a few elegant
and expensive shops in the
town. The medieval old town
dates back to the twelfth century
and the town puts on a good
open-air programme in the summer.
-
Saone et Loire in
southern Burgundy offers golf
enthusiasts a variety of 18-hole
golf courses. For those who
prefer getting out and exploring
the area, a wide array of hiking
and riding opportunities are
available on numerous marked
trails. Outdoor enthusiasts
can also find boating, fishing
and canoeing available on the
department's 300 km of rivers
and canals, and excursions
on the "Voie Verte" path
with a bicycle or roller blades.
The area also offers air ballooning,
hang gliding, and climbing.
- Yonne has
a rich and varied landscape
of green pastures, forests,
lakes, vineyards and the rolling
hills of the Morvan natural
park. This area is home to
some of the world's most prestigious
wines including 'Borgogne'
and 'Chablis' - best sampled
with local Burgundy truffles
or Charolais beef. You can
follow the Route des Vins and
sample and buy. There are also
beautiful chateaux to visit
in the valley of the Armancon,
such as those at Ancy-lr-Franc
and Tanlay.
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