Burgundy
Burgundy is a historical region in eastern-central France known for wine, the former ducal capital Dijon, and monastic sites such as Cluny, Cîteaux, Fontenay and Vézelay.
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Burgundy is a historical region in eastern-central France, with Dijon as its capital. Its former administrative region merged into Bourgogne-Franche-Comté on 1 January 2016, so travel information may still use the old name. The region is known for its wine, its monasteries and its monuments. Under the Dukes of Burgundy in the 14th and 15th centuries, Dijon was a centre of politics, culture and art.
Pinot Noir makes the reds and Chardonnay the whites, and the Côte-d'Or produces the most prized bottles. Monastic sites run from Cluny, founded in 910 and now mostly ruins, to Cîteaux, where the first Cistercian abbey was founded in 1098. Fontenay is the best-preserved Cistercian abbey in Burgundy. Start in Dijon, then head to Beaune for the Hospices de Beaune and the Côte-d'Or wine villages. Spring and early autumn suit touring, and September and October bring the grape harvest.
Burgundy in five
- Book cellar visits before you arriveMany small producers take visitors by appointment only, especially in village appellations. Reserve a few days ahead and ask whether they charge for tastings.
- Get around the vineyards by bike or driverA cycling route links wine villages south of Beaune, and tour operators run driver-guided days. France's drink-driving limit is lower than in the US, so do not rely on a rental car after tastings.Beaune
- Choose Dijon for trains, Beaune for atmosphereDijon is a city with direct TGVs and museums; Beaune is smaller and closer to the wine villages. Both work as a base for different priorities.Dijon
- Plan around harvest and the Hospices auctionHarvest is usually in September, and the Hospices de Beaune wine auction falls on the third Sunday of November. Both bring crowds and higher prices.
Things to do in Burgundy
See all attractions in Burgundy
Need to know
- Airport
- Paris and Lyon are the main gateways; Dijon has no major airport
- Getting there
- TGV from Paris to Dijon about 1.5–2 hours; Beaune is a short regional hop
- Getting around
- Train between towns; bike, tour or driver for vineyards
- Best base
- Beaune for wine, Dijon for city life and trains
- Time needed
- 2–4 days
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, quiet
- FebruaryCold, quiet
- MarchPruning, quiet
- AprilSpring, open
- MayGreen, vines
- JuneWarm, bike
- JulyHot, busy
- AugustHot, busy
- SeptemberHarvest
- OctoberAutumn color
- NovemberHospices auction
- DecemberCold, quiet
Right now in Burgundy
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
4
- Feels like
- 1°
- Humidity
- 85%
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Burgundy
09:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today10°0°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue10°1°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed11°-2°0%Wednesday: Fog. High 11°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu9°-1°33%Thursday: Rain. High 9°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 33%.
- Fri9°5°35%Friday: Rain. High 9°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 35%.
- Sat10°2°8%Saturday: Fog. High 10°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Sun12°3°25%Sunday: Rain. High 12°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 25%.
Updated 09:41 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
Before you go to Burgundy
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Rules for Burgundy, checked
- Check passport and entry rules for France on the official France-Diplomatie website before you fly. The rules apply to all of Burgundy.
- Wine and cheese you bring home are limited by your own country's customs rules. Check them before you buy in Beaune or Chablis.
- France sets a blood alcohol limit for drivers. Do not drive after a wine tasting in the Côte-d'Or; use a taxi or a driver.
- Burgundy has been part of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region since 2016, so official forms and transport bookings may use that name.
Plan around Burgundy
Mustard town and a museum-rich city center
Read the guideBeauneThe wine capital with the Hospices
Read the guideChampagneAnother famous wine region, 2 hours north
Read the guideColmarAlsatian wine route on the way east
Read the guideGetting around FranceTGV, TER and when to book
Read the guideAll of FranceRegions, cities and train routes
Read the guideBurgundy FAQ
How many days do you need in Burgundy?
Two days covers Beaune and one wine day. Three or four let you add Dijon and a cycling or driver-guided day through the villages.
Do you need a car in Burgundy?
No, if you stay in Dijon or Beaune and use trains plus a bike or a guided tour. A car helps for the Chablis area and remote villages, but the drink-drive limit is strict.
When is the best time to visit Burgundy?
May, June, September and October for mild weather and open vineyards. Harvest in September is busy, and the Hospices auction is in November.
Is Dijon or Beaune better to stay in?
Beaune for wine, walls and small hotels; Dijon for museums, trains and a bigger choice of restaurants. They are about 30 minutes apart by train.
Do you need to book wine tastings in Burgundy?
Often yes. Many small estates are by appointment, so reserve before you arrive, or book a guided tour to skip the planning.