Hello everyone!
I'm planning a trip for late March, 2025 and will fly into Lyon for a few days, then make my way to Beaune and Dijon. I will only have 8 actual days in France and a travel day each way from the US. I'm hoping someone can recommend places to try the wines of the region as well as maybe local guides to contact in each place. I'm open to any recommendations or potential different directions to go. My main interests are experiencing real France (not just the touristy parts), wine and the food. I've been to Paris and Normandie so im expecting Lyon and surrounding areas to be somewhat different.
Thank you all in advance for any information you can provide!
Posted by
SoCal
1323 posts
Honestly, for what you're interested in, I'd look for a small-group guided tour of the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune regions in Burgundy and another of the Rhône wine regions. Trying to set up individual winery tours on your own is likely to be time-consuming, frustrating and probably more costly than doing group tours. Viator, much as I hate to recommend them, is a useful tool when visiting somewhere one is unfamiliar with.
Posted by
United States
17 posts
Hi,
Beaune is a great place for wine tasting. It is easy to email or call the wineries and book visits. Some can be booked directly on their websites. Some of my favourites were Louis Jadot, Patriarche, Comte Senard, Chateau Pommard, and Henri De Villamont.
The Rick Steves guide covers Beaune really well.
Posted by
33 posts
Hi Dhayes,
I visited Burgundy a few years ago. Beaune is a great place to base for visiting wineries. There are bike trails all around the area, which makes things accessible without a car. If you want to go to the Cote de Nuits, best to rent a car or take the train. Most of the wineries I visited were the ones recommended in the Rick Steves guide. In my opinion, there is no reason to join an organized tour.
Safe Travels
Posted by
693 posts
Yo OP DH,
If you enjoy dry whites, then don't miss the Leflaive winery tasting experience. Its a cold lunch in Puligny village with several top Pulignys and a couple superb Meursaults to try - spectacular. We based in Meursault before basing in Beaune. The bicycle riding down from Meursault to Puligny was excellent, while the hike north to Volnay was both easy and fun.
In Beaune itself, the original Bistro Bourguignonne (new owners) on the main drag offers that rare thing: top reds and whites available by the glass! The pinch marks are still there. Uncheap drinking, but still worth every penny. Note that the cafe aspect of that bistro is reasonably-priced, a fave among local businesswomen and men.
Good luck.
I am done. The end.