Burgundy Cottages

Holiday Cottages in Burgundy

Welcome to Burgundy

Just to the south-east of Ile de France and Paris the great region of Burgundy stretches from Sens south to Mâcon and is home to the great grapes of Chablis and Beaune, world famous mustard and Crème de Cassis. With superb heritage, national parks and unspoilt countryside, Burgundy is a really great spot for your country cottage holiday in France where you can enjoy rich culture, cuisine and a huge spread of activities and attractions.

A wealthy region governed for hundreds of years by powerful Dukes, the House of Burgundy was, at one time, one of the most powerful ruling houses in Western Europe. You’ll find splendid châteaux, castles, abbeys and picturesque villages throughout the lush countryside, including three UNESCO World Heritage sites. The region’s capital, Dijon, famous for its creamy mustard, offers top museums, theatre, opera, shopping and galleries. There is the charming walled town of Beaune with is wine museum and the hilltop town of Vézelay – the medieval architecture in Burgundy is really quite something – plus many, many more charming villages and historic towns to explore.

As well as the fascinating prehistoric caves sites at Arcy-sur-Cure, Azé and Blanot the stunning countryside really lends itself to cycling, walking, watersports, golf, horse riding and much, much more. Especially popular is Morvan National Park; thickly wooded and packed with wildlife you’ll discover a series of glittering lakes including Pannecière and Settons for lots of messing around in boats, bike trails and tree top fun. The last ‘wild river’ in Europe, the mighty Loire, flows through quite a few Burgundian towns including Decize and Nevers.

Things to do in Burgundy

Visit the three superb UNESCO World Heritage sites of the region: the “eternal hill”, hilltop town of Vézelay and the basilica of Saint Mary-Madeleine; the amazingly complete Cistercian abbey of Fontenay founded by Saint Bernard in 1118 and the priory church of La Charité-sur-Loire. Founded in 1059 on the banks of the Loire around 5000 could worship together with the priory with the little town growing up around it. There are also castles and châteaux to enjoy including the beautiful Ancy-le-Franc – the builders of this superb pile also had a hand in Fontainebleau.

Explore this famous wine growing region with tours of many vineyards and cellars including Chablis, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Beaune and Pouilly-Fuissé. Cycling is a popular way to follow any one of the many vineyard trails all around this beautiful region and project now underway will soon see 800 kms of cycle tracks made available through woods, by rivers and quiet roads.

Burgundy’s 1000 kms of inland waterways and lakes mean plenty of watersports and boating on offer for tranquil cruising or more adrenaline fuelled pursuits! Plus, of course some great fishing on the Seine, Puisaye, the Loire and fast flowing rivers of the Morvan. Head for the Morvan National Park for tree top fun, trails and outdoor pursuits with plenty of animal and adventure parks to keep everyone busy and happy including Touroparc near Mâcon and Acro’bath in Bergesserin.