Between friends Friends trip in Burgundy

After the vineyards, it’s time for the towns. And what a town it is. Dijon brings together history, culture and fine wines. You arrive with your curiosity sharpened and your appetite whetted. You go from apron to cobbled pavement, from meurette to mustard, from barrel to club chair.

In Dijon, the day begins behind the scenes of taste. Head for the Cité de la Gastronomie, where you can swap your car keys for an apron or a tasting glass. Two atmospheres, one pleasure: the cooking workshop, where you can get your hands dirty (or rather, your sauce) in a relaxed atmosphere. Alternatively, enjoy an introduction to wine at the École des Vins. Here, you can dissect the Grands Crus as if you were unwrapping a precious gift, guided by professionals who know how to make a glass speak better than anyone else.

Dijon can be visited in the same way as a fine wine: in small steps, with your nose to the wind, and with the desire to be surprised. By following the owl’s trail suggested by the Tourist Office, you’ll pass through the centuries without getting bored, from timber-framed houses to town houses, between Gothic art and the secrets of the Dukes.

Then it’s on to La Fine Heure for a tasting experience like no other. ” La Cuve en Ville” is the experience of a wine in the making, straight from the barrel. A raw, unfiltered moment to be enjoyed in a relaxed atmosphere. We talk about substance, texture and acidity, but always without fuss.

Beaune holds out its arms to the group of friends. And this morning, we’re refining our taste buds or stirring up our ideas. We go from barley to grand cru without ever leaving the Côte d’Or. From traditional sparkling wines to exceptional bottles, there’s something for everyone.

The afternoon begins in the fragrant fumes of the Alambic Bourguignon. Behind the copper vats, discover this traditional distillery and its secrets. Fine liqueurs, racy eaux-de-vie, well-kept recipes: it smells of tradition brought up to date with 100% Burgundian recipes. Apricot or Pinot Gin, which will your friends fall for?

Then take the road to Caves Nuiton-Beaunoy. Same spirit of transmission, different register. In the cellars, you taste, compare and exchange. And above all, there’s the tasting cellar with its panoramic view. More grapes, but in a different light. And it’s a nice pairing: first the still, then the vine.

Last sunrise on the roads. This morning, the gang of friends are still savouring the scenery, the stories and the skills. We’re either following in the footsteps of a cult duo or we’re saddling up. Whichever option you choose, there’s always the taste of a great adventure: one that combines culture, local produce and pleasure, without ever forcing you. One last day to come full circle… at your own pace.

This morning, it’s a choice between cult films and time-honoured know-how. In Meursault, the ” La Grande Vadrouille ” tour invites you to follow in the footsteps of Louis de Funès and Bourvil, where the history of wine meets that of the 7th art. Anecdotes, scenery and cinematic winks make for a morning of light-hearted fun.

There’s a different atmosphere at Vignoles, with L’Art du Tonneau. This is a journey into the intimate world of wood and wine. Follow the barrel-maker’s movements and listen to the oak speak beneath the tools. It’s a rare immersion in the senses and in life, where the container becomes almost as noble as the content.

Pedal between the rows of vines or stroll with smartphone in hand! With Olivier Leflaive’s Wine Bike, you can discover the panorama on an electric bike, with your nose to the wind and your eyes wide open.

With friends, be sure to try out the Balades en Bourgogne app, which turns the wine trails into a playground of sound. It’s the perfect way to explore the climats, the parcels of land that give Burgundy its identity.