8 Best Sights in Burgundy, France

Philippe le Hardi, the son of the king of France, was the illustrious owner of this majestic 9th- to 16th-century castle. The surrounding estate—one of the largest in Burgundy—has 237 acres of vines, and a visit to it culminates with a tasting of four wines. The award-winning St-Aubin "En Vesvau," matured and aged in wooden casks, is a must-try, as is the Clos Philippe le Hardi and AOP Aloxe-Corton "Les Brunettes et Planchots." There are three classic wine tastings (from €10) and, by appointment only, two high-end wine tastings that include a tour of the cellar that ends with either two white wines and three reds (€25) or three whites and three reds, including at least two Premier Cru and one Grand Cru (€55). 

Although it wasn’t completed until the Renaissance, construction on Château du Clos de Vougeot was actually begun in the 12th century by Cistercian monks from neighboring Cîteaux who needed wine for Mass and wanted to make a diplomatic offering. It's best known as the seat of Burgundy's elite company of wine lovers, the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, who gather here in November at the start of an annual three-day festival, Les Trois Glorieuses. You can admire the château's cellars, where ceremonies are held, and ogle the huge 13th-century grape presses, marvels of medieval engineering. There are also regular photo exhibitions and concerts. Forty-five minute guided tours (€12) leave at 10:30, 11:30 (in English), 2:30, and 4:30 daily.

Bouchard is one of the major domaines and négociants in Beaune. Its unparalleled legacy of 50,000 bottles from the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits appellations includes a unique collection of rare vintages dating back to the 19th century. The guided visit, which needs to be reserved in advance, takes you through the 15th-century cellars and ends with a tasting. The Virtuose option (€129) ends with a tasting of eight wines, including five Premier Cru and three Grand Cru wines while Prodigio (€239) ends with three Premier Cru and five Grand Cru wines. 

Inside the Cassissium’s sparkling glass-and-steel building, the world of cassis is explored through films and interactive displays. A 90-minute tour of Védrenne's liqueur production ends (of course!) with a cassis tasting.

Situated a few kilometers south of Dijon at the beginning of the Route des Grands Crus, this domaine has vineyards that extend down to Vosne Romanée. It specializes in all three colors of Marsannay AOP (red, white, and rosé), but also produces Fixin, Gevrey-Chambertin, Vosne-Romanée, and Clos de Vougeot. Tours of its gleaming facilities (built in 1990 in traditional Burgundy style) include a visit to the cellars and the "Discovery" tasting includes six Côte d'Or wines for €39. Reservations are essential.

A miraculous Meursault has been produced at this elegant spot since the 7th century. Walk up the Allée des Maronniers through the vines to the château's cour d'honneur. Visits to cellars dating from the 14th and 16th centuries and an art gallery are part of the guided tour, which includes a sommelier-aided tasting of eight wines (€49). More elaborate theme-based guided tours are available by appointment.

Within walking distance of the town center, this swanky winery is in an ancient convent dating from the 17th century. The Boisset family currently own the 108 acres of Domaine de la Vougeraie vineyards situated on the slopes of the Côtes de Nuits and Côte de Beaune. The vines are all cultivated using biodynamic methods. A cellar visit (€35, reservations only) starts with a short film explaining how the convent cellars were converted into today's winery; the guide then goes on to explain the concept of biodynamic wine production. The tour ends with a tasting of six wines.

The liquid highlight of many Burgundian vacations is a visit to the Marché aux Vins, where you can sample a tongue-tingling, mind-spinning array of regional wines in an atmospheric setting made up of barrel-strewn cellars and vaulted passages. Opt for eight wines which include two Premier Cru wines (€35) or the Grand Cru tasting (€59); no need to reserve in advance. There is another Beaune tasting house at Caves Patriarche on Rue du Collège.