The fantastic small villages of Burgundy

Once you’ve seen the brilliant lights of Paris and sun-bathed in the sun of the Cote d’Azur, you must visit Bourgogne, one of the French regions with endless vineyards, iconic wooden frames on the facades of the buildings, and a wine culture that dates back centuries. Below you can find a complete guide to the must-see locations in Burgundy that will leave you speechless!

Mâcon

The Provencal sensation with pastel colours of Mâcon is located between Chalon-Sur-Saone and Lyon. The village is the birthplace of the politician Claude-Philibert Barthelot de Rambuteau, who lived in the 1700s. All the towns and cities of France have a square or street named after Rambuteau!
Some of the landmarks of this town include the Cathedral le Vieux Saint-Vincent and the Museum of Fine Arts, which is housed in an ancient Ursuline convent. The Beaujolais vineyards are near Macon and produce some of the best wines in Burgundy.

Cluny

Cluny is one of the smallest villages of Burgundy, that houses a population of fewer than 5000 inhabitants. The central Abbey, founded by Duke William I of Aquitaine in 910, is the landmark of the town. After the 10th century, a city started to grow around the religious building of Eastern France. This results in the perfect ensemble of Middle Age buildings, including the magnificent Hotel Dieu.

Chalon-Sur-Saône

Chalon-Sur-Saône is a town that can be found in the heart of Burgundy and far from the tourist beaten track. It is located in the mainland of France and has a small island on the River Saône. The village is surrounded by vineyards and full of unique timber-framed buildings. Chalon-Sur-Saône was the birthplace of Nicéphore Niépce, one of the pioneers of photography and the man who took the earliest surviving photograph.

Autun

Autun can be found on the west side of Beaune and was founded as Augustodunum during the Roman Age. The main highlights are the Cathedral Tympanums, one of the most beautiful churches in France, the Roman ruins, such as a Roman theatre and the Temple of Janus, and the Musée Rolin, which is home to the masterpieces by artists from Burgundy and other countries.
 

Auxerre

Auxerre is a small city nestled in a bend of the River Yonne. The city is located far from the crowded cities of Beaune or Dijon and is not considered touristy. In France, Auxerre is known for its three important religious buildings, the Cathedral, the Abbey, and the Renaissance Church, which can be seen together from one point along the river.
While strolling across the city you will discover that the city is divided into three districts, each with its own separate cultural atmosphere. Some of the main highlights of Auxerre include the 15th-century clock tower in Quartier de l’Horloge, numerous museums, pedestrian-only streets, and finally the Abbey of Saint Germain of Auxerre.

Chablis

Chablis is especially known for its world-famous wine that originates in the french settlement in the Northern part of Bourgogne. The small town has a population of 2500 inhabitants. Nevertheless, Chablis is the biggest export of Chablis Chardonnay wine. 

If you choose to visit this quaint town, you will find other delightful attractions, such as the Porte Noel, the old city gate, and the churches of Saint-Pierre and Saint-Martin. A famous event of Chablis is the festival of Jazz and Music, which takes place every year from May to June.

Dijon

Dijon is mostly known as the French capital of mustard and is one of the largest cities of Burgundy. The city has a population of 155,000 residents and the things to do are mustard tastings, walking along the streets with timber-framed buildings, and looking for the hidden treasures of Dijon.

Avallon

If you thought Burgundy couldn’t get any more nostalgic, it turns out there is a town called Avallon! It is located between Auxerre and Beaune, and history and legend intertwine in the stories of Avallon’s past.

Some theorists say that Avallon of Bourgogne is the same town narrated in the Arthurian legend. Nevertheless, there is no denying the beauty of the seven thousand inhabitants town. While searching for King Arthur, look for the collegiate church of Saint-Lazare d’Avallon and visit one of the two museums of the city, the Museum of Costume and the town museum.

Beaune

If Dijon is the French capital of mustard, Beaune is the French capital of wine. It was founded in the Roman Age and is full of wine tasting cellars, wine merchants, and bookshops on the history of wine. In the city, there are also many stunning churches, ancient mansion houses, and the old Beaune hospital. 

Chateauneuf-en-Auxois

A must-see town of Burgundy is Chateauneuf-en-Auxois, an enchanting city with medieval buildings and stunning views. It is situated in the north of Beaune and dates back to the 1300s. Chateauneuf-en-Auxois is one of the latest examples of Burgundian architecture.

Nuits-Saint-Georges

Nuits-Saint-Georges can be found along the Route des Grands Crus and is especially famous for its red wines. Located near Dijon and Beaune, there are many things to see aside from the endless vineyards.
The small town has a few churches and some traditional French bars and cafés. Near the train station can be found the Le Cassissium a producer of the other famous beverage of Nuits-Saint-Georges, called Crème de Cassis, made of blackcurrant a local berry.

Meursault

Meursault is a small village of just 1500 inhabitants and located in the Côte-d’Or. During your stay in Beaune, include a day visit to this gem and experience some of the best wines of Burgundy. While here, stroll around the allies and spy the filming locations of the 1966 French film, La Grande Vadrouille.

Vosne-Romanée

Vosne-Romanée has just a few hundred residents and is located just a couple kilometers from Nuits-Saint-Georges. This small town is famous because on the edge of the town, down an unmarked road, can be found a vineyard that produces the most expensive wine in the world. When you first look at the Romanée Conti vineyards it looks like any other wine producer in the area. The small space of land is surrounded by a simple cross and stone wall as all the other vineyards of the region. However a small plaque on the wall reads the name of Romanée Conti vineyard…

Vézelay

 

If you are looking for the best religious history and Burgundy architecture in the region, Vézelay is the place you are looking for. It is identified by the 11th century Romanesque Basilica of St Magdalene, situated on a fortified hilltop. The Basilica and the town itself are included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Sens

You can reach Sens by an hour-long train ride from Paris. The town may not have the stunning Hospital of Beaune, nor the culinary attractions of Dijon, or the world-famous wine of Nuits-Saint-Georges, yet it is a quaint town with picturesque streets and a fascinating history.
This is the town that Thomas Becket chose to seek refuge. In addition, Sens has a spectacular cathedral with the iconic Becket stained glass in clear view and the covered market that is found opposite the Cathedral.