Blackcurrant in a fieldHow about a little love on your first day on the Côte-d’Or blackcurrant trail? At the Cassissium, the blackcurrant museum, discover the love story between this little black fruit and Burgundy during your stay! Packed with vitamin C and effective against pain and inflammation, it’s thanks to its many medicinal virtues that blackcurrants have been seducing the region for thousands of years. Renowned herbalists and monks have used its leaves to treat a variety of ailments. It flourished peacefully alongside the vine until the 19th century, when phylloxera* began to cause trouble. More robust than the vine, the blackcurrant then became a production in its own right in Burgundy, untilAuguste-Denis Lagoute and Henri Lejay created the famous Kir®**! There you have it, now you have the basics before your discovery of the Cassissium.
*Small aphid parasite of the vine.
**Kir® is a registered trademark of Lejay-Lagoute.
Cassissium in Nuits-Saint-Georges - Route des Grands Crus de Bourgogne
Cassissium in Nuits-Saint-Georges - Route des Grands Crus de Bourgogne
Cassissium in Nuits-Saint-Georges - Route des Grands Crus de BourgogneEver heard of blanc-cassis? This essential Burgundy aperitif is thought to have originated with a waitress who accidentally served white wine in the crème de cassis of the mayor of Dijon, Henri Barabant (who drank it neat). He enjoyed the taste experience so much that the drink spread… right up to the present day!
After lunch, it’s time to discover the people who have put blackcurrants in the spotlight: the houses and liquosteries that helped create the Côte-d’Or Blackcurrant Trail! With family, friends or just the two of you, this is your chance to find out all you need to know about Burgundy blackcurrants… and sample some of the local produce! Crème de cassis de Dijon for the grown-ups and old-fashioned syrups for the kids – there’s a glass for everyone in Burgundy!
Visit a blackcurrant or liqueur house during your weekend in Burgundy!
Fancy ending the day on an unusual note in the Côte-d’Or? Head for Le Château & Spa de la Cueillette in Meursault! Not only does this superb address have a dream room in store for you (literally!), it also has a surprising spa… Does Fruititherapy ring a bell? Blackcurrants, raspberries, redcurrants and strawberries: the benefits of these small red fruits, which the region is so fond of, will help you spend a truly relaxing moment at the spa. Enjoy the benefits of nature in its purest form!
When it comes to dining, the Château & Spa de la Cueillette is also sure to delight. Simmered meats, wine sauces and roast poultry are served up according to the seasons and the chef’s whims. Enjoy your meal!
La Cueillette - Meursault
Spa Fruititherapie Château De La Cueillette in Meursault
Le Bistrot De La Cueillette in Meursault
Fruirouge farm in Nuits-Saint-Georges
Fruirouge farm in Nuits-Saint-Georges
Cassis - Route du Cassis de Côte-d'OrAfter a good night’s sleep in the hotel, what better way to start the day in Burgundy than with a breath of fresh air in the countryside? Head for the Fruirouge farm in Concœur, between Beaune and Dijon. Here, the Olivier family share their passion for blackcurrants, passed down through 7 generations. From picking to eating, discover the whole process of transforming this little black berry. And don’t forget to sample their products! Jams, syrups and ketchups: we bet you won’t be able to resist the temptation to take a bit of Burgundy home with you…
Coming for a family weekend? Take part in the unusual Escape Game at the Fruirouge farm! In the heart of the orchards, one puzzle follows another, revealing the secrets of their production… A moment to fall in love with (and munch on!) as a family.
Blackcurrant growing is also about a love of the land and nature. To round off your weekend in Burgundy in style, hop on your bike for a ride through the Climats de Bourgogne, those symbolic plots of land in the region. From the Premier Cru Clos du Chapitre to La Marie, via the Premier Cru Craipillot, it’s time to bring blackcurrant and wine lovers together!
The route is located in central-eastern France, in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region. It runs 55 kilometres from Dijon to Nuits-Saint-Georges.
Fancy a short break in Burgundy? The Côte-d’Or Blackcurrant Route is open all year round! In spring, you can enjoy mild temperatures and 100% natural activities such as cycling or hiking. In autumn, you can also admire the region’s vineyards in their orange hues. In winter, the low, soft light of the season highlights the hillsides and small villages that we love so much about the area!
Whether you decide to go with friends, family or lovers, we advise you to plan your weekend in Burgundy in advance! As far as activities are concerned, the best thing to do is to decide in advance what you want to visit so that you can book your slots. This is also a good time to sort through all your ideas to avoid an overcrowded stay! Choosing your hotel also deserves a little forethought. Depending on the time of year, bookings go like hotcakes! So it’s best to book your room in advance.
Your choice of accommodation depends on the kind of stay you want to have in Burgundy! If you’re coming as a couple, we recommend you opt for intimate accommodation such as a hotel or a cosy chambre d’hôtes. As a family, opt for accommodation that offers enough room for the whole tribe, such as a flat, holiday home or campsite. As a group of friends, we advise you to rent a large house so that everyone is comfortable!
In Burgundy, the Route des Grands Crus and the Route du Cassis go hand in hand! Your stay here is also an opportunity to learn about the region’s delicious grape varieties. There are three main grape varieties: Pinot Noir for the reds, Chardonnay and Aligoté for the whites. From estate to estate, don’t miss out on some wine tasting! And yes, that’s part of Burgundy’s heritage too.
The Côte-d’Or Blackcurrant Trail and the Burgundy Grands Crus Trail complement each other perfectly, as they run through the same part of the Côte-d’Or, between Nuits-Saint-Georges and Dijon. So you can take advantage of the same weekend to alternate between tastings of prestigious wines and gourmet discoveries based around blackcurrants. The perfect opportunity to vary your pleasures and enjoy a gourmet getaway in Burgundy!
From breakfast to dinner, sweet or savoury, Burgundy invites itself onto your plate and gives your taste buds a feast! During your stay in the Côte-d’Or, be sure to try some of the region’s great classics:
Savoury favourites: gougères (salted cabbage with cheese, the star of the aperitif), bœuf bourguignon simmered in red wine, coq au vin, oeufs en meurette or the unmissable jambon persillé.
Local specialities: Burgundy snails, cheeses (Époisses, Soumaintrain, Brillat-Savarin, Côte-d’Or, délice de Pommard, etc.) and the famous Dijon mustard.
Sweet treats: gingerbread, blackcurrant pears… and of course all the gourmet variations on blackcurrant (sorbets, jams, fruit jellies, syrups).
And let’s not forget the great vintages for food and wine pairing!
The great thing about Burgundy is that it can be adapted to suit all types of stay!
For lovers: opt for a charming hotel or château-hotel, enjoy a gourmet dinner by candlelight and relax in a fruity-flavoured spa (like blackcurrant fruititherapy!).
For the whole family: enjoy activities that are as much fun as they are delicious, such as a visit to the Cassissium, an escape game at the Fruirouge farm or a bike ride through the orchards and vineyards. Something to keep young and old busy all weekend long.
With friends: combine cellar visits, wine tastings and gourmet blackcurrant discoveries. And why not rent a large house or gîte in the heart of the vineyards to extend the evenings with friends?
