Top Things to Do in Burgundy: Wine, Villages & Hidden Treasures

Burgundy Must-Sees: History, Nature & Gastronomy All in One

Just two hours from Paris, Burgundy is a dream destination for anyone who loves good wine, charming villages, hearty food and peaceful countryside. Whether you're into medieval towns, scenic vineyards, gourmet delights or slow travel, this region has something unforgettable to offer.

Here’s our guide to the essential places and experiences you shouldn’t miss during your Burgundy getaway.

1. Explore Beaune, Wine Capital of Burgundy

Beaune is the beating heart of Burgundy’s wine culture. Its cobbled streets, 15th-century Hospices, and endless wine cellars make it a top spot for wine lovers.

What to do in Beaune:

• Visit the Hospices de Beaune
• Stroll through the Saturday market
• Tour a mustard mill (Moutarderie Fallot)
• Book a tasting at Joseph Drouhin or Patriarche

2. Drive or Bike the Route des Grands Crus

The Route des Grands Crus is Burgundy’s wine road, spanning 60km, running from Dijon to Santenay through some of the world’s most prestigious vineyards. Perfect for a scenic drive or bike ride.

Don’t miss:

• Tastings in villages like Gevrey-Chambertin, Vosne-Romanée, Puligny-Montrachet
• The famous Clos de Vougeot
• Sunset views over the vines

Don't forget the Route touristique du Vignoble de l'Yonne, north of Burgundy.

3. Eat Like a Local

Burgundy’s food is rich, flavorful, and perfect for wine pairings. Some must-try dishes:

• Boeuf Bourguignon (beef stew in red wine)
• Oeufs en Meurette (eggs poached in Pinot Noir sauce)
• Garlic butter escargots (snails)
• Local cheeses like Epoisses, Soumaintrain or Brillat-Savarin

4. Visit Vézelay and Its Romanesque Basilica

One of France’s “Most Beautiful Villages,” Vézelay is perched atop a hill with breathtaking views. The Basilica of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine is a UNESCO site and a major pilgrimage stop.

5. Unplug in the Morvan Regional Park

This lesser-known part of Burgundy is a haven of forests, lakes, and slow living.

Things to do:

• Hike around Lac des Settons
• Go canoeing on theCure rive
• Discover WWII history at the Resistance Museum in Saint-Brisso

6. Tour Burgundy’s Castles

From Renaissance gems to medieval fortresses, the region is dotted with castles and abbeys:

• Guédelon (a castle being built with 13th-century tools!)
• Ancy-le-Franc (a perfect Renaissance treasure)
• Bazoches (home of Vauban)
• The Abbey of Fontenay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

7. Wander Through Secret Villages

Burgundy is full of charming, lesser-known villages that feel like stepping into a storybook:

• Noyers-sur-Serein, a medieval gem one of the most beautiful French villages parmi les plus beaux villages de France
• Semur-en-Auxois, with its ramparts and riverside setting
• Flavigny-sur-Ozerain, home of the famous Anis de Flavigny
• Chablis, a wine lover’s paradise with small-town charm

And what about events?

Burgundy lives to the rhythm of the seasons and traditions:

• The Beaune Wine Sale (3rd weekend of November)
• Wine Festival 
• Les Saint-Vincent Tournantes
• Marchés gourmands, brocantes, randos œnologiques… il y a toujours quelque chose à faire !

Where to Stay in Burgundy?

Make Maisons Vaudésir in Chablis your home base. This beautifully restored house with a Nordic-style hot tub and designer interiors is ideally located to explore Burgundy in every season.

👉 Discover Maisons Vaudésir and book your stay.

Burgundy: A Way of Life

Whether you're sipping wine in the vines, hiking in the Morvan or tasting Epoisses cheese in a village market, Burgundy offers a rich, memorable travel experience. Come see for yourself!