BLISS IN A BOTTLE

When you say ‘Burgundy’ to somebody, chances are the rst thing they would think of is wine, so ubiquitous is it in this region where the grape is king. But the region has several other ne dining specialities to boast of, and a whole host of activities that make it the pride of France.

It may seem cheesy, but a visit to the Gaugry dairy is a great place to start your culinary crusade. It specialises in époisse, a delicacy so well respected that people come from miles around to taste it. As with champagne, true époisse cheese must come from the area and be made using traditional methods, and the end result is something worth travelling for Tastings are highly recommendeddrop in, sample some cheese and ne wine to go with it, then buy some to bring home.

(www.fromageriegaugry.com)

Cutting The Mustard

Dijon is the main city of the Burgundy region, and it is a lovely, easily manageable place to get around. It’s famous for several speciality foods available in many quaint shops around town – spiced bread, cassis licquer, and mustard. e Moutard Maille is a famous mustard shop established in 1747, still following the recipe that makes their product stand out. It’s worth a visit not only to sample and buy some of the stu but to see the sheer volume of jars and bottles adorning the walls, and to see it poured out from taps like a thick, beige pint. ere is much to see and do. Perhaps France’s most famous architect, Gustave Ei el was born here, and curiously, though he o ered to design and build the town’s excellent market square, he was refused, and so moved on to bigger things. e Notre Dame cathedral of Dijon is a beautiful example of 14th century Gothic architecture replete with gargoyles and grotesques, but there are more lovable aspects too – one external wall features a small owl gure, the mascot of the city, which you can touch with your le hand for good luck.

Another must-see is the 1,000-yearold monastery that houses the sculpture museum of Francois Rude, whose work can be seen all over France, particularly at the Arc de Triomphe (Les Marseilles) and Père Lachaise cemetery.

But there is also a very cultural feel to this town: the museums are free, there are two opera houses, and the Place de la Liberation square has been transformed from a car park into a lovely square lled with great restaurants.

Currant Affairs

You’d imagine a trip to a museum dedicated to the blackcurrant, or as the French call it ‘le cassis’, would be a small oddity or a quaint little curio by a roadside somewhere, but not in nearby Nuits st Georges, which hosts the remarkable Cassisium. A gigantic exhibition and museum praises all things blackcurrant, because from this humble berry comes a smooth syrup licqeur that is wonderfully versatile, can be made into more than a hundred avours and goes with anything –making it perfect for cocktails, as a visit to the on-site cocktail bar will prove. (www.cassissium.fr) ere are of course at least ve senses, and Burgundy caters for them all, and a great way to enjoy them while maybe working o your indulgences is to take a cycle along the picturesque Burgundy canal starting from Lake Kir in Dijon. ere are no less than 17 bike hire companies along the route, and being a canal bank, the way is smooth and steady, allowing you to take in all the sights, sounds and smells of the French countryside with what is a truly lovely way to spend an a ernoon.

The Gaul Of It

Burgundy also has much to feed the mind for anybody interested in history. e castle in the medieval town of Chateauneuf en Auxois has tapestry-lined walls, medieval toilets and turrets and towers that make for an excellent guided tour, but the real draw of the area is at Alesia, site of the battle between King of the Gauls, Vercingétorix, and Caesar’s Roman army in 52BC. It’s a great place to learn about a gure whose name would be on everybody’s lips if it weren’t so hard to say, full of fascinating information and artefacts, and where the children will be entertained for hours by displays of warfare techniques and a chance to try their hand at the weapons used. (www.alesia.com) e Unesco World Heritage Site of Fontenay Abbey is also a must-see. Established in 1118 by St Bernard of Calirvaux, it is one of the oldest in Europe, with almost all of its buildings perfectly preserved.

But of course in Burgundy all things come back to wine, and a vineyard visit is a must. In existence since the time of Vercingetorix, Vignoble De Flavigny at Flavigny-sur-Ozerai in Alesia is held in very high esteem - the medieval kings of France chose their wines from here. A limited number of bottles are produced here every year, so you know you are only getting the very best. Just like Burgundy itself, sample it, savour it, and bring a little bit of it back home.

ACCOMMODATION:

Spoiling yourself can become a real theme in Burgundy, not just through food and wine but through relaxation. The hotel spa resort La Cueillette at the Chateau de Citeaux in Meursault (pictured) displays the sublime beauty of the landscape, the furnishings and the grand eloquence of the restored chateau built over a 12th century Cistercian wine cellar. A fruit therapy spa experience with swimming pool, hammam, sauna, Jacuzzi and a restaurant headed by a Michelin-star chef mean this idyllic spot o ers total well-being and some well-deserved treats. (www.lacueillette.com)

Those who like luxury are spoiled for choice when it comes to accommodation. The Abbaye de la Bussiere sur Ouche is remarkable, but hugely expensive, but the Chateau DeChailly is another fantastic hotel and golf resort with luxury rooms and suites, a spa, and its own helipad, should you wish to arrive in style.

There are cheaper accommodation options too, such as the Hotellerie D’Aussois in Semur-en-Auxois, a fine place overlooking a lovely town, but the region also has many campsites, hostels and guesthouses to suit every budget.

FLIGHT DETAILS:

You can fly to Lyon Saint-Éxupery with Air France or Aer Lingus, with connecting trains to Dijon.