Destinations / France / Central Burgundy
The supposed heart of France, the region of central Burgundy is forever etched in history as a region of fine wine, exquisite cuisine and magnificent architecture. Explore it from the deck of a houseboat and enjoy a cruise on the Canal du Nivernais or Canal du Bourgogne. The area is still untouched by mass tourism, so enjoy the vast vineyards and waterways just as you imagine.
You could hardly look for more distinctive attributes to characterise the central Burgundy region than Dijon mustard and Burgundy wine. While you'll probably buy your favourite condiment and bring it home as a souvenir to your friends. You have to experience the culture associated with wine for yourself in Burgundy – although in this case it's more about the taste. Burgundy offers vast vineyards, many of which offer visitors the chance to sample a variety of varieties and brands of wine. Vineyard tours are very popular with tourists.
Even Louis XIV himself called Burgundy wine the wine of royalty and Burgundy was his favourite region. The local regional pride may remind you of our wines, which is not a false impression. The vine grown in the Czech Republic is said to have originated here, when a bush of it was brought to the Czech Republic by the monarch Charles IV in the 14th century.
While discovering the region's attractions, you will not only get to know the charm of the historic wine-growingregion, you will also visit a number of beautiful castles, chateaus, monasteries and cathedrals. You will also be impressed by the fascinating Celtic traditions.
Burgundy is a land of vast vineyards, where you can taste a wide variety of varieties and brands of wine. Vineyard tours are open to travellers, so be sure to plan them into your itinerary. The Chablis region produces white wine, otherwise red wine is heavily prevalent in Burgundy.
Head to the most famous villages of Pommarde, Meursault or the town of Beaune. You can be sure that the only real competitor to Burgundy for wine is the Bordeaux region. And which is better? We recommend heading to both so you can decide for yourself which wines will win your heart (and your taste buds).
A view of the old French town of Dole.
Discovering Burgundy and its wine-growing tradition is not complete unless you visit the Burgundy Wine Route during your holiday. Choose one of the five options and discover vineyards large and small, old and young, known and unknown. The wine-growing territory that surrounds the whole area around Dijon is known as La Côte d'Or, the Golden Slope, and we can assure you that a visit to this area is not to be missed. Be sure to spend a few days here, whether on foot, by bike or by car. The wine industry is very strong here and is probably the strongest driver of the regional economy.
Although wine is intrinsically linked to Burgundy, it is not the only thing that defines the region. The region also plays a vital role as a centre of learning and Christianity. Visit Dijon, the region's capital, the abbey at Cluny and the monastery at Citeaux, which used to be the bearers of spiritual life and a new form of church. Today, the most important spiritual site is the Basilica of St. Magdalene in Vézelay, which serves as a pilgrimage site on the road to Santiago de Compostela.
Cruises for 2–5 days | Cruises for a week | Cruises for 14 days
Trip length: 2 days | 22 km
Type of cruise: there and back
Number of locks: 8
The proximity to Paris (about 2.5 hours) makes this location attractive. The numerous historic villages and towns, the coves of the 3 waterways, the rocks and the woods attract you to stop.
Trip length: 2 days | 32 km
Type of cruise: there and back
Number of locks: 10
You are on the border between Nivernais and Burgundy. The proximity to Paris (about 2.5 hours) makes this location attractive. Numerous historic villages and towns, the coves of 3 waterways, rocks and woods attract you to stop.
Trip length: 2 days | 32 km
Type of cruise: there and back
Number of locks: 30
The proximity to Paris (about 2.5 hours) makes this location attractive. The numerous historic villages and towns, the coves of the 3 waterways, the rocks and the woods attract you to stop.
Trip length: 2 days | 36 km
Type of cruise: there and back
Number of locks: 25
The proximity to Paris (about 2.5 hours) makes this location attractive. The numerous historic villages and towns, the coves of the 3 waterways, the rocks and woods attract visitors to stop
Trip length: 2 days | 38 km
Type of cruise: there and back
Number of locks: 22
The proximity to Paris (about 2.5 hours) makes this location attractive. The numerous historic villages and towns, the coves of the 3 waterways, the rocks and the woods attract you to stop.
Trip length: 5 days | 62 km
Type of cruise: there and back
Number of locks: 24
You are on the border between Nivernais and Burgundy. The proximity to Paris (about 2.5 hours) makes this location attractive. Numerous historic villages and towns, the coves of 3 waterways, rocks and woods attract you to stop.
Trip length: 5 days | 70 km
Type of cruise: there and back
Number of locks: 30
You are on the border between Nivernais and Burgundy. The proximity to Paris (about 2.5 hours) makes this location attractive. Numerous historic villages and towns, the coves of 3 waterways, rocks and woods attract you to stop.
Trip length: 5 days | 98 km
Type of cruise: there and back
Number of locks: 48
The proximity to Paris (about 2.5 hours) makes this location attractive. The numerous historic villages and towns, the coves of the 3 waterways, the rocks and the woods attract you to stop.
Trip length: 7 days | 100 km
Type of cruise: there and back
Number of locks: 110
The proximity to Paris (about 2.5 hours) makes this location attractive. The numerous historic villages and towns, the coves of the 3 waterways, the rocks and woods attract visitors to stop
Trip length: 7 days | 108 km
Type of cruise: one-way
Number of locks: 57
The proximity to Paris (about 2.5 hours) makes this location attractive. The numerous historic villages and towns, the coves of the 3 waterways, the rocks and woods attract visitors to stop
Trip length: 7 days | 130 km
Type of cruise: there and back
Number of locks: 60
You are on the border between Nivernais and Burgundy. The proximity to Paris (about 2.5 hours) makes this location attractive. Numerous historic villages and towns, the coves of 3 waterways, rocks and woods attract you to stop.
Trip length: 7 days | 150 km
Type of cruise: there and back
Number of locks: 26
What makes this location attractive is the proximity to Paris (about 2 hours away), the variety of roads, the local artists, the local cuisine, the architectural treasures of Burgundy.
Trip length: 7 days | 168 km
Type of cruise: there and back
Number of locks: 112
The proximity to Paris (about 2.5 hours) makes this location attractive. The numerous historic villages and towns, the coves of the 3 waterways, the rocks and woods attract visitors to stop
Trip length: 14 days | 130 km
Type of cruise: there and back
Number of locks: 98
The proximity to Paris (about 2.5 hours) makes this location attractive. The numerous historic villages and towns, the coves of the 3 waterways, the rocks and the woods attract you to stop.