Nolay -A small town with Gallo Roman origins and has an exceptional timber framed market building
The Chalonnais region-south of the Cote D'Or, has many small villages and towns to see. It is known for its museums, vineyards- Rully, Mercurey, Givry, Montagny,Bouzeron,Bourgognr Cote Chalonnaise. Some of the local dishes include Saone river perch, poached eggs in a red wine sauce poultry in a wine sauce and of course bouef bourgignon.
Chalon sur Soane - another town that owes its importance to being on the Gallo Roman road. It was chosen by the initial settlers because of the proximity to the river, which was used for commerece. Most recently Chalon's claim to fame became centred around photography and film, as it was here that Niepce took the world's first photograph in 1816. The fascination with the reproduction of images was carried on by others after him, including Etienne Jules Mary who was from Beaune (a statue of him is in Beaune in Place Marey a square named sfter him). He invented the first chronophotograph, leading eventually to the first films by the Lumiere brothers.. Be sure to visit the museum devoted to Niepce and the evolution of photography in the town.
Autun- a town founded by the Roman Emporer Augustus is over 2000 years old and has a wonderful heritage of art and history was once known as the ''sister and rival to Rome''.
Dijon- One of the most beautiful and architecturally interesting cities in France. It was founded in the 3rd century AD in an exceptional environment of parks and gardens, just off the main Roman route of the Via Aggripa and the Amber and Tin roads. Vestiges of this first chapter in the town's history can be seen in the Archaeological museum and in the court yard of the Hotel de Vesvrotte. The medieval town , which grew up around the 3rd century military settlement, all but vanished in a major fire in1137. Dijon has a rich heritage of architecture and art from many epochs, including half timbered houses, many parish churches with towers, the Ducal Palace and the grand Renaissance buildings where the Museum des Beux Arts is located.
Chateauneuf-en-Auxois- This tiny medieval village aited on the top of a large hill, is worth a visit for an afternoon detour. The impressive chateau, now empty of furnishings is witness to centuries of history and turbulent times. The chateau was built by Jehan de Chaudenay for his younger son, as his older son would naturally inherit the family chateau in Chaudenay after his fathers death. The new chateau was finished in 1175 and Jehan moved in and took on the new family name of Chateauneuf. His heirs continued to reign for the following 9 generations until the final branch of the family was eradicated in a scandal. On March 13 1456 Catherine de Chateuneuf the last heiress was burned alive in Paris, for having poisened her husband. She had no children. The Chateau was taken over by the Pot family, rich and powerful politicians (Phillipe was the Chancellor of Burgundy) and then over the centuries changed hands several times.
The village at its height was never large with a population in 1826 of only 524. Now it has a population of around 83. You can drive along the River Ouche and Canal which can be seen from the hill top location of the village and see the many locks, house boats and barges moored along the canal.
The Wines of Burgundy- Wine routes and tastings
Burgundy wine is renowned all over the world for it's consistently high quality. Along with Bordeaux, it is recognised as one of the classic wine growing regions of France. The vineyards of Burgundy extend from Chablis in the north to Lyon in the south and are famous for producing excellent quality red and white wines.
A wine's origin can often be rather obscure. Merlot-Sheraz never appears on a map and even those who appreciate Italian wines, for instance, would find it hard to identify the location of vineyards renowned for Baraberabesco, Barolo or Brunello
Not so in Burgundy, where suddenly names we recognise from the shelves of our local wine shops or from wine guide books, spring to life. You can follow the signposts along the back roads of the gently sloping Cote D'Or. Meursault, Nuits St Georges, Pommard, Volnay, Corton, Vosne Romanee, Puligny Montrachet etc. You can literally drive, walk or bike between villages as though you were travelling down the very best wine list at one the world's top restaurants!
Though their reputations precede them, these villages and towns picturesque as they are really only have one focus- wine- and some tend to be sleepy little places. But none of this should discourage you from making a full day's itinerary of the Cote D'Or and the Cote de Nuits.
There are hundreds of small producers to choose from. Not all require appointments but it is wise to phone in advance to make sure they are open. Burgundy wine makers take their profession very seriously and will welcome anyone generously who shows a sincere interest including tours of their caves and wineries. It is also approriate to purchase at least one bottle unless you are genuinely unimpressed!
Perhaps the least intimidating wine tastings can be found in Beaune. As you wander through the very pretty town, keep on mind that beneath your feet is a network of cellars as extensive as the street plan itself. Several of the large negotiants open their doors for less serious tastings and self guided experiences, but they should not be dismissed as tourist traps-the wine is still well made and often the visit of some of the impressive medieval cellars is worth it just for that.
Restaurants Beaune has many restaurants in the town and surrounding villages. There are restaurants from the traditional to the experimental, and prices to suit all budgets. It is never easy to recommend restaurants, but we have selected a few that we have enjoyed. For full details see the house manual.
Restaurant La Bouzerrotte is a small restaurant situated in the small village of Bouze Les Beaune a few minutes drive from Beaune and is well worth a visit, see their web site www.labouzerotte.com for more information
ENJOY YOUR VISIT TO BEAUNE!
