Medieval Burgundy, Vineyards and Villages on a Private Sightseeing Tour

Enjoy a relaxed day exploring these two stunning medieval villages filled with flowers and boasting gorgeous views. First stop is Semur en Auxois, a city built on a pink granite bluff with its four imposing turrets towering over the River Armancon. A stroll in the heart of this medieval city will show you its rich architectural heritage and flamboyant Gothic style church. There will be time to stop at one of the cafes in the old quarter, before departure for our next village, Flavigny sur Ozerain, classed as one of the most beautiful villages in France and where the film ‘Chocolat' was made. You’ll arrive in time for delicious lunch at a Ferme Auberge run by local farmers’ wives bringing in fresh produce from their farms & gardens to create the day’s menus. We stay in Flavigny for a gentle guided walking tour through Flavigny’s delightful winding streets enjoying breathtaking views across the rampart walls to the valley and hillsides below. Our last stop of the day is at a winery at the foot of the village for a fun & informative tasting of local wines (optional) before our departure back to Beaune.

The enchanting hill town of Vézelay in the Yonne department of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté is famous for its 11th century Basilica Ste.Marie-Madeleine whose hilltop location dominates the town, both of which are now designated UNESCO World Heritage sites. Clinging to the hillside on our walk to the abbey you will see lovely medieval houses lining the narrow main street, with a variety of colourful shops and galleries. There is plenty of time to visit the Basilica and stroll around this small town at your leisure before settling down to an excellent lunch of Burgundian specialities. After lunch we sample some of the local wines (optional) before setting off for the next medieval village on our tour - Chateauneuf en Auxois. Châteauneuf-en-Auxois, with its 12th century fairytale turreted chateau overlooking the Burgundy canal, provides a truly memorable stop on any trip through the Pays de l'Auxois. Visit the chateau and meander around its historic narrow streets with its variety of arts and crafts shops or stop for a drink at one of the cafes. Finally, before making our way back to Beaune we stop at Vandenesse en Auxois, a quiet village on the Burgundy canal, for some incredible views of the chateau up on the hill.

There’s more to Burgundy than just wine, so if you don't wish to stop at cellars, you can still be enchanted by the beauty of the vineyard landscape of the Cote d’Or (the golden slopes) and fascinated by its many historic villages each still retaining their unique french character. Without cellars to visit, there will be plenty of time to journey from Santenay in the south through to Gevrey Chambertin in the north, returning to Beaune at the end of the day via the off the beaten track, hidden villages of the Hautes Cotes (Upper Slopes). This is a tour which can be tailored to your own tastes, stopping for a chateau visit, a truffle hunt, a tasting of local cheeses or at an artisanal chocolate shop to name but a few. Lunch can be at a restaurant, a chateau or a picnic in the vineyards and the tour can be tailored to couples, families with children, keen photographers, foodies, antique hunters or wherever your particular interests may lie. This is your unique tour day.


contact sue@burgundyonaplate.com or phone +33 (0) 613898473