Burgundy
Self catering accommodation to rent in Burgundy, France
Search our French rental directory for various types of self catering holiday accommodation to rent in Burgundy, France. Take a self catering holiday break and visit one of the four departments of the region - Saone-et-Loire | Nievre | Cote d'Or and Yonne. On Rent-in-France you can find self catering cottages, gites and farmhouses for rental all over Burgundy. Situated in central eastern France south east of Paris the region covers from the towns of Auxerre and Sens in the north to the south and the town Macon which lies north of Lyon. Although Paris is the capital of France, many believe that Burgundy is the heart of France.
Burgundy is one of France's main wine producing areas, it is well known for both its red and white wines, mostly made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes respectively, although other grape varieties can be found including Pinot Blanc, Gamay, Aligote and Sauvignon Blanc. The region is divided into the Côte-d'Or, where the most expensive and prized Burgundies are found, and Beaujolais, Chablis, the Côte Chalonnaise and Mâcon. The reputation and quality of the top wines, together with the fact that they are often produced in tiny quantities, has led to high demand and high prices with some Burgundies ranking among the most expensive wines in the world.
Burgundy is home to a large number of museums many of which charge a small entrance fee. For the active tourists the region has plenty of outdoor activities on offer to keep you busy during your Burgundy self catering holiday rental; these activities include ballooning, golf, mountain biking, hand gliding , cycling, fishing, horse riding, boating and wind surfing. The summer months see Burgundy host a number of fairs, fetes, festivals, carnivals, concerts and pageants, there is also always something on in the theatres across the region. The larger towns in the region boast great shopping facilities with the supermarkets and bakers opening early, many other shops don’t open until 9 or 10 am and unlike here in the UK shops tend to close for lunch between the hours of 12 – 2:30 pm. There is no need to rush to the shops here though as many of them open until around 7pm. Please be aware that a number of shops will be closed on both Sundays and Mondays.
As with many other areas France food lovers will be in for a treat during their stay in this lovely area of France. There are some fantastic markets throughout the region that open on different days of the week and there are some magnificent Michelin starred restaurants at Joigny, Saulieu, Vezelay and Chagny. Venture deep into the countryside and visit the family owned auberges which often serve some wonderful regional dishes. The village of Epoisses is famous for its cheese.
Places to visit during your holiday rental in the Burgundy region
Dijon. Capital of both the Cote d’Or department and the Burgundy region. The city of Dijon is located in east central France and is situated at the confluence of the Ouche and Suzon rivers and the Burgundy Canal. The city is the shipping centre for the Burgundy region and its wine and commercial manufacturing center. Dijon is a beautiful city which is filled with the magnificent palaces of the old Burgundians. Home to the Musee des Beaux Arts, this wonderful museum is home to a collection of many sculptures and great paintings. The city hall that was constructed way back in the 12th century and rebuilt during the 17th and 18th centuries is now the home to a museum that houses a collection of fine statues by the medieval sculptor Clausmace central F Sluter. Other points of interest include the Cathedral of Saint Benigne, the Renaissance Church of Saint Michel and the Church of Notre Dame.
Beaune. Set within the department of Cote d’Or the town of Beaune is located on the Bouzaise River. Very important during the Roman times the town of Beaune is encircled by a wall reinforced by 13th and 15th century towers. Many of the town historic structures have survived the years and have been preserved magnificently, the Hotel Dieu which was constructed way back in 1443 is now used as a retirement home and a museum, Also home to the Church of Notre Dame, this church which was constructed during the 12th century is now home to a number of 15th century tapestries that’s show the life of the Virgin Mary through its pictures. Baume is a town which is a center of tourism and wine production. Each year in the 3rd week in November the town hosts the “Les Trois Glorieuses” or the three glorious days. The three days are centred on the Hospice de Beaune wine auction, which is the oldest and most traditional wine auction in the world. It dates from 1859 when 189 barrels of fine Burgundy wine were sold.
Auxerre. Capital of the Yonne department Auxerre is located to the southwest of Paris and is situated on the Yonne River. This town is home to a large number of Gallic and Roman remains boasting the magnificent 13th century Gothic cathedral of Saint Etienne, the Episcopal palace and the churches of St Germain and St Pierre. Auxerre is also home to a great natural history museum, libraries, a college and a palace of justice. Since the 3rd century the town has been the seat of a bishopric. The population of Auxerre is around 45,000 with its urban area accounting for around 88,000. World famous for its wine production particularly Chablis, Auxerre is also a commercial and industrial centre, with industries including food production, woodworking and batteries.
Chalon-sur-Saône. Chalon-sur-Saone is found southeast of Paris. Situated within the department of Saone-et-Loire in east central France Chalon-sur-Saone is a regional commercial centre for the Saone Valley. The towns harbour is a cross road for both rail and river traffic. The town is known for its location on the Saone and the canals that link the Saone to the Rhine, Loire and Marne rivers. Before railroads existed many travelers came to the town from Paris by coach before taking the riverboat to Lyon. Chalon-sur-Saone is an important river port that attracts a variety of industries.
Climate in the Burgundy region
The climate in Burgundy is dominated by the variations of western weather that characterise the whole of Western Europe. In General the summer months are hot but like its wines the Burgundy climate could be described as subtle, Dry early springs followed by a damp may, then warm summer days all the way through till around October and the start of harvest. The winter months usually remain dry but the temperature tends to drop and can see a frequent spell of cold weather hit the region. Some believe the best time to visit this region of France is during the autumn, come and experience this pleasant and sunny season where the colours of nature sit in harmony with the gentle blue skies. The Temperature during the summer months can often reach an impressive 30°C.
Getting to the Burgundy region
There are a number of ways you can get to your self catering holiday rental in the Burgundy region. The starting point of your journey, how much travelling about you want to do and how long you are planning to stay are all factors that may influence your choice of travel . There are no airports close by in the west of the region but this is what makes Burgundy a unique and peaceful area of France, great to relax and enjoy the real French experience. Bus services in the area are very limited which mean unless you are planning a cycling or walking holiday a car is a necessity, cars are available to hire but many of the visitors tend to bring their own. Most flights from the UK to Burgundy are into Paris Charles de Gaulle airport which lies north of the city. Charles de Gaulle is approximately 2.5 hours away from Burgundy if you are thinking about hiring a car. Air France fly from London City Airport direct to Orly airport, situated south of Paris this airport is only a 1.5 hour drive to the Burgundy region.