With a smorgasbord of gorgeous villages, a dashing medieval-turned-Renaissance capital, and more châteaux-crowned vineyards than you could ever hope to visit in a lifetime, France’s premier wine region comes loaded with priceless French panache.
However, with a bottle of the best Bourgogne red demanding a price tag of several zeros, is it actually possible to share in Burgundy’s wine-fueled joie de vivre without spending a single cent? With savvy planning and on-the-ground intel, it certainly is. Here’s how.
Get Acquainted with Burgundian Climats
Given Burgundy’s gargantuan wine heritage, first-time visitors would do well to make Beaune their first stop. The unofficial capital of the hallowed Côte d’Or, Beaune itself is a gorgeous town to explore, featuring its rampart-encircled old city, a splendiferous medieval charity hospital, and quaint cobbled lanes hiding a subterranean labyrinth of cellars filled with priceless vin. Free films and bilingual displays at its fascinating Maison des Climats provide a deep dive into the history, culture, and viticulture traditions of Burgundy’s iconic climats, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2015.
Swirl, Sniff, Sip, and Spit Wine
A precise, though unspoken, etiquette surrounds dégustation (wine tasting). Generally speaking, consider attending a wine tasting only if you potentially intend to purchase a couple of bottles afterward. This said, there is no obligation to buy.
Larger wineries, such as Patriarche Père et Fils, where more than 2 million bottles age in vaulted 13th-century wine cellars stretching underground for 5km, charge a token admission fee of around €18 – a good value as it includes a guided tour and tasting of six to ten different wines, along with a complimentary tastevin (tasting glass). Meanwhile, tastings at smaller châteaux, like Château Corton C, with a talented female oenologist leading the organic vineyards, are more intimate and often offered free of charge.
Hit the Grand Crus Road
Explore the wine route with Balades en Bourgogne, a free app that maps 160 walking, cycling, mountain-biking, and driving itineraries around this prestigious wine-growing region. Audio histories are included in this smart mix, searchable by theme and transport mode.
Burgundy’s Champs-Élysées of wine-themed itineraries is the Route des Grand Crus. Here, motorists have cruised along 37 miles (60km) of quiet country lanes, through softly undulating hills carpeted in vibrant green vines, and 38 château-stitched wine-making villages since 1937. Cycling and walking paths have since been added to this picturesque trail, promising an equally exhilarating experience.
Soak up Dijon’s Artistic Glory
Thanks to the powerful dukes of Burgundy, the regional capital is blessed with an abundance of medieval and Renaissance buildings, many adorned with dazzling polychrome tile roofs and ornate sculpted facades. Most structures date back to Dijon’s 14th- and 15th-century heyday, evoked in a delightful collection of municipal museums – all free. Do not miss the impressive Musée des Beaux Arts, one of France’s best fine arts museums, located in the eastern wing of the dukes’ original palace. Traditional Burgundian life is showcased in the Musée de la Vie Bourguignonne, housed in a 17th-century convent.
Kid Around in a Dijon Fountain
Kiddos can enjoy the water-jet fountains on Place de la Libération, laid out in 1686. Shooting up from the ground, these water jets offer a delightful way to cool off during summer. After dark, they become illuminated, adding to the fun. Grab a seat on a café terrace ringing the square for a glass of wine while watching happy children run wild.
Run (or Swim) Wild on Black Mountain
Outdoor enthusiasts revel in the Morvan, a 700-sq-km protected area of dense woodlands, lakes, and rolling farmland. On dry land, choices abound with 1550 miles (2500 km) of walking trails, mountain biking, horseback riding, and rock climbing. Alternatively, visitors can explore several artificial lakes and rivers. Cold-water swimmers can take a plunge at Lac des Settons and Lac de Saint-Agnan.
Travel to Ancient Gaul
Burgundy promises a compelling journey through pre-Roman France. The Celtic spirit thrives at Bibracte, the ancient Gaul stronghold where Vercingétorix was crowned chief in 52 BCE. While the on-site museum has an entrance fee, the free expansive views from the mountaintop site and walking trails warrant a visit. Download the free La Boussole app to uncover hidden archaeological remains beneath your feet.
Track a WWII Resistance Fighter
Few museums evoke the bravery and struggles of French Resistance fighters during WWII as powerfully as Chemins de Mémoire in the Parc Naturel Régional du Morvan. Twenty-one memorial sites linked by walking trails commemorate the guerrilla-fighter Resistance who sought refuge in this area in 1943 and 1944. A site map is available for download or at the Musée de la Résistance in St-Brisson, making it easy to explore this significant historical landscape by foot or bicycle.
Find Village Enchantment in Yonne
Midway between Dijon and Paris, the Yonne département is Burgundy’s northern gateway, offering visitors verdant countryside dotted with enchanting villages. Enjoy the view as the sun rises over medieval battlements or stroll cobbled streets lined with charming 15th- and 16th-century gabled houses in the walled village of Noyers-sur-Serein, approximately 30km south of the ancient river port of Auxerre. Equally alluring is the UNESCO World Heritage-listed hilltop village of Vézelay, crowned by a stunning architectural gem of a medieval basilica and surrounded by picturesque vineyards and sunflower fields.
Celebrate with Locals at a Wine Festival
As with every French region, festivals abound in Burgundy and often present a brilliant opportunity to mingle and enjoy local cuisine and wine, frequently for free or at low costs. The first major fest of the year celebrates Saint Vincent, the patron saint of vignerons (winemakers), with vibrant street processions, mass, and wine tastings, culminating in two days of festivities during the last weekend in January. Each year, a different village hosts Saint Vincent Tournante, a celebration that has been ongoing since 1938.
Another fantastic free event is the Festival Musical des Grands Crus de Bourgogne, which features dozens of concerts and gigs, including open-air performances in vineyards, from July to early October, centered around the theme of wine.
