Self-catering Apartments in France for Couples | Farmhouse in Burgundy

About the Burgundy Region in France

BURGUNDY is a lush, varied region of rolling hills, forests, lakes, rivers and canals and pretty, flower-bedecked villages, but one of its main attractions is its vineyards, centred around BEAUNE (30 minutes from us), the historic wine capital of Burgundy. The Cote d'Or villages of MEURSAULT, PULIGNY MONTRACHET, POMMARD, NUITS ST. GEORGES, GEVREY-CHAMBERTIN and many others surrounding Beaune offer a rewarding voyage of discovery, visiting the growers and tasting their wines.

A visit to the small charming town of BEAUNE with its cobbled streets, art galleries, pavement cafes, fine restaurants and wine cellars is a must, and a tour of the superb 15thC HOSPICES whose museum holds the famous altar piece by the Flemish artist Roger van de Weyden is not to be missed.

The capital of BURGUNDY is the fine city of DIJON (1.5 hours from us), worth a day visit for its PALAIS DES DUCS, excellent MUSEE DES BEAUX-ARTS and LES HALLES, the large indoor/outdoor market surrounded by cafes and restaurants, particularly colourful on market days.

Throughout the region are many country markets where the way of French life continues unchanged in its tradition.

To the west of us is AUTUN, the roman capital of France in a past era with its historic roman architecture and ruins and the gateway to the lakes and forests of the MORVAN NATIONAL PARK, an area full of World War 11 history of the Maquis and their Resistance movement.

South of us towards MACON is CLUNY with its important ruined roman abbey and artefacts together with its world-famous equestrian centre and stud. Just before arriving in CLUNY one passes the ecumenical centre of TAIZE, well attended by folk from all over the world and possible to visit for the day.

Some of our Locals

Further south still beyond the MACONNAIS is the charming BEAUJOLAIS region where the villages of FLEURIE, ST. AMOUR, JULIENAS, CHENAS and more offer the classic red wines of BEAUJOLAIS and the wonderful white wines of the region are to be found in the villages of POUILLY-FUISSE and ST. VERAN amongst others. The region is full of excellent auberges and restaurants for a lunchtime break.

Christopher and Judith are great wine lovers and can help and advise those wishing to buy.

For a change of scenery, the BRESSE, with its flat plains, handsome brick barns and timbered farmhouses is just east of CHALON (25 minutes from us), where the RIVER SAONE wends its way slowly south, bordered by small villages and towns with restaurants offering the wonderful free-range poultry for which it is world-famous, together with classic Burgundian dishes of FRITURE - small fried freshwater fish from the river and POCHOUSE, the local version of mediterranean fish stew.

Another 30 minutes further on from the BRESSE you come to the mountain region of the JURA with its own unique wines and food.

WHAT TO DO AND WHERE TO GO

WINE AND FOOD

French Food And Wine Bottle Being the gastronomic centre of France many wine and food-related events take place throughout the region all year. An example of main events:

MAY: SAULIEU - "Journees Gourmandes" - tasting of local produce & wine

JULY: COTE CHALONNAISE - open door at private vignerons and "caves co-operatives" for tastings of local wines and cheeses

AUGUST: "LA RONDE COUCHOISE" - weekend of "open door" at around 30 cellars in the Couchois, tasting local wines and produce

AUGUST: NOLAY - "DU CEP EN VERRE" - weekend festival of wine and folk music

AUGUST: SAULIEU - CHAROLAIS FESTIVAL - lots of meat and local produce to sample

Plus many, many more, especially in October after the grape harvest

ACTIVITIES

Having explored and indulged in all the wine and food you may like a change of activity:

GOLF - three excellent golf courses nearby:-

CHATEAU D'AVOISE - Le Creusot - 18 hole championship standard.
GOLF MUNICIPAL DE CHALON - 18 hole.
GOLF MUNICIPAL D'AUTUN - 9 hole.

Estate of Chateau de Dracy in Burgundy TENNIS

Available free of charge at our private tennis court by the CHATEAU DE DRACY in our village of DRACY -LES-COUCHES. Racquets and balls are available at En La Marre but you must bring suitable shoes and clothing

CYCLING

Cyclists can take advantage of the wonderful paths created along former railway lines and canal paths, "La Voie Verte". Plenty of bike rental available close by.

WALKING

The same paths are also suitable for WALKING, plus many more, locally amongst the vineyards and hills of the Couchois and throughout the region. EN LA MARRE has details of cycling and walking routes. Join us and local groups of French and Dutch on our regular "randonnees".

WATERSPORTS

Avalailable on the lake at AUTUN by the GOLF range - sailing school, rental of pedaloes, boats, windsurf boards, mountain bikes
TORCY (Le Creusot) - windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking, rowing
LAC DES SETTONS (Morvan Nat. Park) - all watersports, also swimming with beach facilities.

FISHING

A very popular sport in France and available in the many lakes, rivers and canals. Permits are required but daily ones can be purchased from the "tabacs".

HORSERIDING - within 20 mins of us:

Centre Equestre et Poney Club de Montvaltin (LE CREUSOT)
Le P'tit Canasson, AUXY

FOR A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME EXPERIENCE WHY NOT TRY:

BALLOONING OVER THE VINEYARDS - a truly magical experience for that special occasion - two companies operating from BEAUNE
Ballooning championship "Les Montgolfiades" takes place in June at CHALON SUR SAONE with balloon rides and winetastings

CULTURE

For CULTURE VULTURES, Burgundy has much to offer apart from its roman history. AUTUN, CHALON, BEAUNE and DIJON all have theatres and cinemas and many cultural events take place all season, the most popular being:

"L'ESTIVADE" in DIJON, 3rd week in July - a week-long wide variety of cultural events
"CHALON DANS LA RUE" in CHALON, 3rd week in July - a festival of national and international street artistes and musicians - very popular
"AUGUSTODONUM" at the roman ampitheatre in AUTUN throughout August - a "son et lumiere" spectacle of the history of Autun in which the whole town takes part - great fun!
"FOLKLORIADES INTERNATIONALES ET FETES DE LA VIGNE" in DIJON in September - a week-long folkloric dance festival.

There are numerous art and sculpture exhibitions throughout the region, especially in TOURNUS, CLUNY, BEAUNE and DIJON.

FOR MUSIC LOVERS, there is a wide range of events taking place to suit all tastes, from jazz and blues to folk and classical, e.g:

BLUES at LE CREUSOT in June - a high standard of national and international blues artistes
"JAZZ A COUCHES" in July
BEAUNE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF BAROQUE MUSIC also in July

The summer months are busy with musical concerts in the surrounding local villages including the very popular :

"NUITS DE MONT ROME" in July at ST. SERNIN DU PLAIN, fabulous evening open-air concerts held in a roman ampitheatre created on the side of Mont Rome by France's last living composer of contemporary music.

Details of all the main cultural events taking place throughout the season are available at EN LA MARRE.
Traditional French Bakery