Exploring Burgundy

With its medieval buildings, breathtaking countryside, and world famous wines, mustards, and cheeses, Burgundy leaves no traveler unsatisfied. On this trip, we’ll balance time exploring this region’s highlights with time to relax and unwind.

Most Americans associate Dijon only with mustard. However, this city was seat to the Dukes of Burgundy from the early 11th until the late 15th century. As a result, Dijon was a place of tremendous wealth and power and one of the great European centers of art and learning. We'll have time to explore Dijon's market and old historic center. We'll also depart from here to visit the beautiful Vézelay Basilica and well-preserved Fontenay Abbey, both UNESCO World Heritage sites.

We’ll then spend seven days in the southern part of Burgundy (the wine-growing region!) at our very own castle, the Chateau Montsymond, where you’ll feel like royalty with all breakfasts and multi-course dinners prepared by our two dedicated private chefs. There you can enjoy bike rides, billiards, table tennis, Pétanque, poker, chess, board games, cards, the heated salt water pool, or sauna. Or feel free to nap or curl up with a good book…you’re on vacation!

The Chateau will be our launching point for touring some of the area’s most important medieval castles, churches, and monuments. And no trip to Burgundy would be complete without sampling the region’s wine and food. We’ll visit a nearby vineyard, spend a morning at an outdoor market, indulge in a Michelin star lunch, and engage in a private cellar tour and wine tasting with the Chateau’s owner, Christophe Gay, a notable collector and connoisseur. Finally, we’ll end our trip with a visit to Lyon, known to host THE hottest food scene in France, before heading back to Paris by train.

Detailed Information

Trip Includes:

Train from Paris to Dijon and Lyon to Paris
2 nights in Dijon’s historic center, 7 nights at the Chateau Montsymond, 1 night in Paris’ city center (with the option to add a 2nd night)
8 breakfasts, 6 lunches, all 10 dinners (including wine!), and three private wine tastings
Guided tours of the Vézelay Basilica, Fontenay Abbey, Châteaus d’Ancy and Cormatin, and the Berzé-le-Châtel and Brancion castles
Walking tours of Dijon, Beune and Lyon, with additional visits to the towns of Louhans, Tournus, Cluny, Chapaize and Brancion
Transportation via luxury mini coach
One 60-minute Swedish or deep tissue massage
Help with any pre- or post-trip travel or bookings (including optional 2nd night in Paris at the end)
Assistance with purchasing trip insurance

PRICING & PAYMENT SCHEDULE:

3,750/pp double occupancy, excluding airfare and trip insurance (add only $300 if traveling solo!)

Itinerary

Wednesday, September 4: Plan to arrive into Paris by mid-morning. We’ll then train down to Dijon as a group and enjoy a special welcome dinner together. Overnight in Dijon at the Hotel des Ducs.

Thursday, September 5: Breakfast at hotel. Day trip that includes visits to two UNESCO World Heritage sites: the Basilica of Vézelay and Fontenay Abbey. Group lunch and, time permitting, visit the Chateau d’Ancy. Dinner as a group in Dijon. Overnight in Dijon.

Friday, September 6: Breakfast at hotel. Morning walking tour of Dijon’s market and historic centreville. Lunch and afternoon on your own. Early evening transfer from Dijon to the lovely 16th century Château Montsymond. Dinner and overnight at the Château.

Saturday, September 7: Breakfast at the Chateau. Today we visit the town of Beune, its UNESCO listed Hospices (medieval hospital), Notre Dame Cathedral and Dali` sculpture court. After lunch we’ll do a nearby vineyard visit and wine tasting before returning to yet another multi-course dinner prepared by Chef Raphaelat the Chateau Montsymond. Overnight at the Chateau.

Sunday, September 8: Day of leisure at the Chateau, with breakfast, lunch and dinner provided. Overnight at the Chateau.

Monday, September 9: Early morning departure for Louhans to experience its outdoor market and explore the town. Group lunch before our private cellar tour and wine tasting with the Château’s owner, Christophe Gay. Dinner and overnight at the Château.

Tuesday, September 10: Breakfast at the Château. Transfer to Tournus. Visit St. Philibert Abbey followed by lunch with wine at the Michelin star Aux Terrasse restaurant. Next visit the medieval Brancion castle and village of Chapaize, known for its Romanesque church. Dinner and overnight at the Château.

Wednesday, September 11: Breakfast at the Château. Today we’ll visit the lovely Château de Cormatin and its gardens, the town and abbey of Cluny, and the Berzé-le-Châtel castle. Overnight at the Château.

Thursday, September 12: Day of leisure at the Chateau, with breakfast, lunch and dinner provided, as well as either a 60-minute Swedish or deep tissue massage. Overnight at the Chateau.

Friday, September 13: Breakfast at the Chateau, then transfer to Lyon, considered the gastronomic capitol of France. We’ll train back to Paris from here for our farewell dinner. Overnight in Paris at the Mayfair Hotel.

Saturday, September 14: Morning departure or optional additional day and overnight in Paris through Sunday.