Hiking in Saint-ChristopheOn the roads of the Hautes Côtes de Nuits, your legs are busy, your taste buds are tingling, and local produce is at the top of the list. Cheese factory at sunrise, cliffs at sunset: each climb is worth its weight in local produce.
A walk in the Hautes Côtes de Nuits in the Côte-d'Or
A walk in the Hautes Côtes de Nuits in the Côte-d'Or
A walk in the Hautes Côtes de Nuits in the Côte-d'OrThis morning, we’re filling up on tasty treats to burn off the calories afterwards! We’re heading to the Gaugry cheese dairy in Brochon, where we’ll be treated to a range of fresh smells, solid expertise and local products. A 100% Côte-d’Or tasting operation, with mature cheeses, local charcuterie and crusty bread. Just the thing to load up your panniers!
Then it’s off to Gevrey-Chambertin to get on your mountain bike. The 22km Combes route, accessible free of charge from the Balades en Bourgogne app, takes in a series of climbs, descents and panoramic views between vineyards and forests. It’s a climb, a breather, a laugh: effort just the way we like it!
Fromagerie Gaugry in BrochonAt the halfway point, we set off to enjoy a picnic prepared by Gaugry, the last cheese dairy to mature Époisses PDO cheese using raw milk in the traditional way. As well as the famous Époisses, you’ll want to pack a hearty Ami du Chambertin*, or a Délice de Pommard** if the shop has them. A good loaf of farmhouse bread, a chequered tablecloth (or not), and that’s it.
*Delicious soft cheese
**tasty, very creamy cow’s milk cheese
Picnic in the vineyards of the Côte-d'Or
Picnic on the Route des Grands Crus de Bourgogne
Picnic on the Route des Grands Crus de Bourgogne
Blackcurrant in a fieldAfter the effort, it’s time for comfort. Leave the dirt tracks for a moment to follow the curves of another itinerary:the Route du Cassis. In Concoeur, Nuits-Saint-Georges and Marey-les-Fussey, the little black fruit is available in syrups, creams and other tasty treats. Taste, compare, be amazed, and above all, enjoy.
Two possible stops to extend your exploration:
164ᵉ Hospices de Beaune wine sale 2025Put on your trainers, the Route des Grands Crus de Bourgogne awaits you for its sporting events throughout the year. On the programme:
- Hospices de Beaune Wine Sale Half-Marathon – November
- Grands Crus Marathon – October
- Hospices de Nuits Half-Marathon – March
After a hard day’s work, it’s time to take comfort in the Place Meuillotine. A well-stocked board, local bread, local beer or pinot noir: everything here is local, simple and good. It’s the perfect place to relax, catch up on the day’s activities and recharge your batteries before your next sports session.
Villa Modéliacus at Meuilley
Villa Modéliacus at MeuilleySet between vineyards and village, Villa Modéliacus has all the cachet and comfort you need for a relaxing break. Housed in an old stone vat house, this cosy, modern gîte has two cosy bedrooms for overnight stays. Want to recharge your batteries? A small sunny terrace, deckchairs and swimming pool await you.
You don’t have to go far to feel like you’re somewhere else. This morning, we let our calves pick up the pace on the trails of Bouilland, between wooded valleys and limestone cliffs. A hike that does you good, a rustic meal just the way you like it and an afternoon of grapes and care. Sport leads to comfort… but always on a gentle slope.
Climbing the cliffs of BouillandA change of pace and a bit of height. Head for Bouilland for a nature experience with XXL views. Two options to stretch your legs:
The Auberge Saint-Martin plays the tradition card. This family-run establishment serves simple, carefully prepared local cuisine, including oeufs en meurette, jambon persillé and bœuf bourguignon. The great classics are on the menu, as are the homemade desserts.
Head to Beaune to recharge your batteries! In luxury mode at the Spa Marie de Bourgogne or more sporty at Beaune Cryo, cryotherapy gets your legs back in shape in just three minutes. Then it’s off to the vineyards: in Villers-la-Faye, Domaine Fribourg-Hacquard refines its HVE 3*-labelled cuvées, while in Pernand-Vergelesses, Denis Père & Fils plays a fine score of classic climats.
* High Environmental Value level 3, the highest level recognised by the French government.
The Spa Marie de Bourgogne at the Hôtel Le Cep BeauneLast effort of the day: climb to the Oratoire de Frétille, in Pernand-Vergelesses. Up there, panoramic views and peace and quiet invite you to enjoy a picnic, with a menu of products chosen from the Arrière Boutique Escoffier in Beaune to share. Or not!
Le Gite 0 61 Mathieu Ravet 4
The Gite 0 61 Hautes-Côtes de Beaune in Échevronne
Le Gite 0 61 Mathieu Ravet 3The Ô 61 Hautes Côtes de Beaune gîte ticks all the boxes when it comes to sporting relaxation, with a tastefully renovated former farmhouse, three bedrooms, a large kitchen and a vast garden to relax in under the trees. After a hard day’s work, you can enjoy the shady terrace, the walk-in shower or a siesta in a deckchair. Just the thing to catch your breath!
There’s no need to run for adventure. Take to the heights in the Hautes Côtes, where the paths follow the valleys and ridges, and each stride is accompanied by a new panorama. Somewhere between a light trail and a contemplative hike, you’ll be awakened in a sporty way, but never in a hurry.
Head for the heights of Meloisey, where you’ll find yourself on the Combes et Crêtes trail. On foot or in trail mode, the route alternates between undergrowth, viewpoints and deep breaths of air. It’s a great way to work up a heart rate and work up an appetite.
The next stop is Domaine Denis Carré, in the heart of the village. At this family-run estate, you’ll share a sincere Burgundy, through a welcoming, no-fuss tasting session. Just what you need to savour the morning, glass in hand.
Domaine Denis Carré in MeloiseyThis Burgundy inn, just a stone’s throw from Meursault, has lived up to its name! It has retained its inn-like charm of rustic, regional produce, always homemade and in season. And the service that goes with it, smiling and jovial, ready to delight every table. Add a signature pan-fried foie gras, on the menu since 1992, a revisited snail casserole and a fine glass of Santenay wine, and you’ve got yourself a real local treat.
The afternoon gets off to a gentle start with the limestone cliffs of Orches and Saint-Romain. It’s a panoramic route, perfect for digesting, breathing in the air and taking in one last view of the Hautes Côtes.
A few bends further on, Domaine Rocault in Baubigny opens its doors to you for an intimate tasting session. Precise white wines, fleshy reds and a family touch: end the day on a mineral note, in a friendly atmosphere.
The cliffs of Saint-RomainTo round off a day high up in the mountains, we’re staying at the Bistrot des Falaises, in Saint-Romain. Here, the cuisine is homemade, using fresh seasonal produce. The food is generous, the atmosphere relaxed and the view of the cliffs breathtaking. In the shade of the terrace or by the fire, depending on the weather, we toast to good taste and the pleasure of being together.
Au delà des vignes guest house in Baubigny
Au delà des vignes guest house in Baubigny
Au delà des vignes guest house in Baubigny
Au delà des vignes guest house in BaubignyA former stable turned country cocoon, l’Écurie de la Coquette is a place of discreet charm. Nestling in the hamlet of Melin, just outside Meloisey, this small detached house for two combines old stone, warm wood and views over the vines. With its wood-burning stove in winter and sunny terrace in summer, all you have to do is savour the silence!
A new day, a new setting. This morning, we slip into a different rhythm, between cool gorges and ridge paths. Walking, climbing or cycling, there’s something for everyone. And the sensations are there for the taking! Along the way, we’ll make a few choice stops, greet each other with open faces… and always have a good drink to toast the stage.
What could be better than taking a refreshing dip between the waterfalls of Vauchignon? There are two options for getting your body active and your mind off the job: a hike to the Bout du Monde waterfall or a climbing session on the surrounding cliffs. Nature is raw, the air crisp, and every step you take brings you a little closer to the great calm.
Cascade du Bout du MondeIn Nolay, lunch breaks are creative at Le Menu. In this bright, contemporary restaurant, the chef revisits the flavours of the region with finesse and boldness. Seasonal produce, subtle combinations and meticulous presentation give each plate a stylish rhythm, without ever losing its generosity. A fine balance between terroir and modernity.
A walk in SantenayChange of bike for the afternoon! Saddle up and explore the Montagne des Trois Croix by mountain bike. Between Maranges and Santenay, the route plays with ridges, forests and plunging views over the vineyards.
And then there are three ways to recover. It’s up to you to choose the pace:
At La Rochepot, Les Divines Bourgogne lives up to its name. In this friendly guest house, the evening is enjoyed in several stages, with vegetables from the kitchen garden and meats and cheeses from local farms. At the table, you’ll discover generous, organic home cooking, served in a simple atmosphere.
The Divines at La RochepotJust before sitting down to dinner, treat yourself to a sensory interlude around wine. Guided by a passionate wine taster, you can explore Burgundy’s terroirs in a whole new way, playing with aromas and learning about local climates.
After dinner, you won’t go far. Les Divines Bourgogne is also a place to put down your bags and relax. The rooms, nestled in an old winegrower’s house, all have their own character. In the morning, a home-cooked breakfast and a view of the hills – you’ll simply feel good.
The Divines at La Rochepot
The Divines at La Rochepot
The Divines at La Rochepot
The Divines at La Rochepot
The Divines at La RochepotWe slowly leave the hills behind to return to the plains, the rows of vines and the gentle rolling roads. The last pedal strokes, the last mouthfuls of terroir, the last notes of wine: we’ve almost come full circle… But there’s no hurry.
Today, we’re getting on our bikes for a gentle ride along the Voie des Vignes. Rented in Nolay, Santenay or from Bourgogne Randonnées and Active Tours, the two-wheelers are ready to spin between the vines. On this emblematic itinerary, the effort is made smoothly. Small roads, wine-growing villages, low stone walls and avenues of plane trees create a picture-postcard backdrop. You can pedal with your nose to the wind, stopping whenever you like and enjoying the silence of the vineyards. A real breath of fresh air on wheels.
Voie Des Vignes by bikePicnic on the Route des Grands Crus de BourgogneAt midday, it’s time to get out the tablecloth and sit down in the shade of a tree for an all-terroir picnic. In the basket you’ll find a selection of products bearing the Savoir-Faire 100% Côte-d’Or label: crusty bread, mature cheeses, local charcuterie, home-made sweets… The kind of simple but tasty lunch that smells just like Burgundy.
In the evening, head to Nuits-Saint-Georges for La Cabotte. In a warm, no-fuss setting, this gourmet restaurant puts Burgundy centre stage, both on the plate and in the glass. With fresh produce, home cooking and a fine list of regional wines, it’s a pleasure to taste and share. A great way to round off the day.
Restaurant Bistrot Lucien
Restaurant Bistrot Lucien
Bistrot Lucien restaurantFor your last night, head for L’Escale Nuitonne, a stone’s throw from the centre of Nuits-Saint-Georges. This duplex flat combines modern comforts with discreet charm. Ideal for a quiet evening or a nightcap under the stars, before winding down at your own pace.
You’ll alternate between hiking, mountain biking, trail running, Nordic walking and climbing, all set in the landscapes of the Hautes Côtes de Nuits and Beaune.
Yes, the routes are flexible: gentle paths for beginners, more challenging routes for more experienced walkers. There’s something for everyone.
You’ll stay in charming gîtes, cosy guest houses or even a camper van for the more adventurous, all designed to help you recuperate after the effort.
