A question about the Burgundy area of France....

Posted by sandi (Fredericton, New Brunsw, Canada) on 04/05/09 04:23 PM

My husband and I are planning a trip to France, Switzerland and Germany for June/July 2009.

We are renting a car in Paris (no flames please!), and plan on driving to Switzerland for a few days exploring the Bernese Oberland.

The more I look at Burgundy, the more I want to stop somewhere for lunch, and then maybe somewhere for dinner, and maybe stay overnight instead of driving on to Switzerland until the next day.

Any suggestions for stops? I have looked at Vezeney, Dole and Semur? They all look really pretty...

Help! I want to do too much, with too little time.....I know that we wont get back to Europe for a very long time. Sigh.... :)

Thanks for any input!

Posted by Doug

Portlandia

04/05/09 05:12 PM

3313 posts

I would stop near Beaune in a small wine town. Look at the Logis de France website for many small family-run hotels. Have lunch or dinner on the hill just south of Beaune at Au Bon Accuel.

Posted by Char

PNW

04/05/09 06:10 PM

194 posts

I KNOW you want to rent a car, but there are VERY good rail connections between Paris and Dijon (and then a short train ride to Beaune) and Dijon and Interlaken (via Bern)on the way to Lauterbrunnen and points skyward. Since you're also including Germany, you might look into the Select Rail Drive Pass - 3+ days of rail and 2 days car rental in 3 connecting countries. Price it out and see if this is worth your while. We did this and rented a car for 2 days in Burgundy - visited wine towns near Beaune and drove to Chateauneuf, Flavigny, Abbaye de Fontenay, and Semur. Beaune is a good base. Just the right amount of driving, but the trains were great!

Posted by Adam

Boston

04/05/09 06:20 PM

4132 posts

I've been to two of these towns, assuming Vezeney = Vezeley. They would both be outstanding overnights, but are very different.

Vezeley is a stunning beautiful French hill town with a magnificent cathedral, a stopping place on mediaeval pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostella. It is small and will be mobbed during the day in high season. You will want to make reservations in advance to stay there.

Depending on your schedule and route and appetite for detours, Vezeley could be a worthwhile stop on the way to someplace else. Michelin gives it three stars ("worth a voyage").

Semur-en-Aixois is a very pretty old town, bigger than Vezeley, with a picturesque center. For some reason, there is great pastry there.

Beaune is also charming, has several easy opportunities to taste a variety of wines, and is the site of the hotel Dieu, a medieval hospital. I don't think it's your most enroute option--that would be Semur--but that might depend on your route.

Have a great trip!