Things to See and Do on a Tour of Burgundy
From hands-on cooking experiences to museums and châteaux, there’s something for everyone.
Gastronomic Activities
Take part in a cooking class with Michelin-starred chefs. Get your apron on for an afternoon in the kitchen with the team of chefs at Michelin-star restaurant La Côte Saint-Jacques.The chefs will present a menu of recipes for you to prepare as part of a kitchen team. A tutored tasting of the dishes will follow, alongside wine pairings chosen by the hotel’s sommelier. There’s also a longer cooking and dining experience available with an overnight stay and lunch with Chef Jean-Michel Lorain. www.cotesaintjacques.com/en/page/cooking-c
Learn to mix cocktails at a liqueur manufacturer
Spend a relaxed evening with a professional mixologist at Le Cassissium, the visitor experience connected to Vedrenne liqueur maker, renowned for itsSupercassis crême de cassis. You’ll learn to make two cocktails. For a daytime experience, take a guided tour of the Vedrenne liqueur factory followed by a dégustation gourmande of various traditional nibbles from Burgundy. cassissium.fr
Enjoy a tutored tasting of Crémant de Bourgogne
Visit the famous Veuve Ambal, renowned producer of Crémant de Bourgogne. You’ll see all areas of production on a self-guided tour, including the cave, riddling, and the bottling and packing production line, followed by a tutored tasting of different crémants. It’s family-friendly with a play area for children and tastings of non-alcoholic products, too. veuveambal.com/en/visit-and-store
Explore the underground caves of Bailly Lapierre
Go deep underground into a limestone outcrop on a guided tour of the Bailly Lapierre caves, near Auxerre, where you’ll learn about the production of crémant, and witness stone sculpted artworks along the way. It precedes a tasting of the house crémant in underground cellars with a keepsake glass as a memento of your visit. www.bailly-lapierre.fr/en
Historic Attractions
MuséoParc Alésia
The impressive-looking interpretation centre looks back at one of the most important battles of the history of France with immersive experiences, information panels, film and mapping. Historical re-enactments take place, too, on the battlefield where Caesar defeated the Gauls in 52 BC. www.alesia-tourisme.net/decouvrir/museo-parc
Château de Montbard
Climb the 14th-century Aubespin Tower, part of the former fortress of the lords of Montbard and the Dukes of Burgundy, for sweeping views over Montbard and the Brenne Valley. Beside it, the Buffon Museum offers a journey through natural history and science. The gardens and seven hectares of parkland, spread across 14 terraces, are exceptional. musee-parc-buffon.fr/chateau
Musée d’Art et d’Histoire Romain Rolland
The French writer and poet Romain Rolland was born in Clamecy and his birthplace has become the town’s Museum of Art and History. One room is devoted to the work of Rolland, charting his career chronologically. Other permanent collections focus on archaeology, fine art and pottery alongside a programme of temporary art exhibitions. www.clamecy.fr/que-faire-a-clamecy/envie-de-culture/musee
Le Musée Colette
In the pretty town of Saint-Sauveur-en-Puisaye is this museum, housed in the town’s château, which highlights the intriguing life and work of Colette, woman of letters and one of France’s most distinguished writers of the 20th century. Close by is La Maison de Colette with guided visits of her birthplace and family home. musee-colette.com
Lead photo credit : The Musee d’Art et d’histoire Romain Rolland
