How much time should you allow for this UNESCO road trip?

Three days is the ideal time to enjoy the Côte de Nuits, Beaune and Dijon. You can shorten it to two days, but it would be a shame to miss out on a drink (or a panorama).

What can you discover on the Route des Grands Crus de Bourgogne?

The Climats du vignoble de Bourgogne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site: 1,247 plots of vines, landscapes sculpted by centuries of know-how, and exceptional wines to taste between two visits.

What is a Burgundy "Climat"?

A unique terroir, demarcated since the Middle Ages, which gives its name to the wine produced there. Each Climat is a personality, a soil, a light, a different emotion in the glass.

When should you do this road trip?

April to October, it’s the golden season! Spring for the budding vines, summer for the terraces, autumn for the magic of the grape harvest.

Do I need to book tastings?

Yes, especially on the Côte de Nuits and in Beaune. The big estates sell out quickly, but there are plenty of family-run wineries that will welcome you at a moment’s notice (in moderation, of course!).

Why is this road trip unique?

Because it combines everything that makes Burgundy great: vines, wine, heritage and the pleasures of life. A sensory adventure, classified, vintage and to be savoured without moderation… except in the glass!

Walk along the Burgundy Grands Crus Route — ©Les Conteurs - Route des grands Crus de Bourgogne

UNESCO Vines are part of our heritage!

They may not have anything to do with the weather, but they do make for good weather in the Côte-d’Or! Small, well-defined plots of vines, the Climats du vignoble de Bourgogne are in fact a condensed version of centuries of history and tradition, unique know-how, excellence and emotion. It’s well worth being listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, don’t you think?

To discover their world, head to the Route des Grands Crus de Bourgogne for a 3-day roadtrip like no other. One thing’s for sure: where I come from, the vine is the heritage.

To be completed in 3 days

3 days

Jour 1
Jour 2
Jour 3

Abbey, relaxing spa and wine bar

Step

01 Step 01

UNESCO World Heritage : a history of know-how

Not everyone is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The criteria for this demanding recognition are precise, and only reward the most remarkable human works and natural sites. And the prestigious Climats du vignoble de Bourgogne, along the Route des Grands Crus de Bourgogne, are just such a site! Explore the towns of Beaune and Dijon, witness to centuries gone by and to the history of the merchants, winegrowers and bourgeois who forged the identity of our Climats.

Stroll through the mosaic of vineyards, immerse yourself in the soul of the vineyards and wine-producing villages, and discover the traditional skills at work, from the cellars to the wine cellars.

Not to mention the lively, festive culture that keeps this priceless heritage vibrant throughout the year. A heritage of contrasts, between the bright light of the vineyards and the dark calm of the cellars, the prestige of exceptional names and the daily toil of men and women. From Dijon to the Maranges, via Gevrey-Chambertin and Beaune, from Pommard to Nuits-Saint-Georges, let yourself be seduced by the Climats of the Burgundy vineyards!

Day 1 Abbey, relaxing spa and wine bar

Your departure : Côtes de Nuits

Kingdom of Pinot Noir,Champs Elysées of Burgundy, land of purple and gold… There’s no shortage of superlatives to describe your first stopover. That’s the magic of the Climats: a vineyard between the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune that runs along a narrow slope and has an international reputation. This is the birthplace of prestigious appellations such as Chambertin,Clos de Vougeot,Richebourg and La Romanée, names with character that resonate as much in the sparkle of a glass of wine as in the old stones that tell us these fabulous wine stories. And yours today!

Good morning Burgundy!

©The Storytellers - Château du Clos de Vougeot in the Côte-d'Or

Burgundy Session 1 2024 Vweb 694 — ©The Storytellers - Château du Clos de Vougeot in the Côte-d'Or

Climats are never far away when you think of Château du Clos de Vougeot. And with good reason! On the Route des Grands Crus de Bourgogne, this masterpiece of the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin (Brotherhood of the Knights of the Tastevin ) houses over 900 years of winegrowing history. Although it no longer produces wine, its various buildings are still open to the public. Enter the winery with its huge presses, wander through its vast cellar and visit the former dormitory of the Cistercian monks of the time.

Visit the Château du Clos de Vougeot

The beginning of hunger

Red is the leitmotif and good humour the order of the day: this lunchtime, we’re taking you to Les Griottes! This bistronomic restaurant, ideally located in Gevrey-Chambertin, shines for its heartfelt cuisine, which is simple, friendly and generous. The revolution will have to wait: here, the emphasis is on perfectly executed classics, supplemented by a seasonal menu and fresh produce. The icing on the cake is a prestigious wine list to satisfy even the most discerning palate.

You're going to love this

La Table de Pierre Bourée (Gevrey-Chambertin)
Les Griottes (Gevrey-Chambertin)
Chez Jeannette (Fixin)
La Table d’Eole (Brochon)

In the afternoon

Did you leave the table late? In Nuits-Saint-Georges in the Côte-d’Or, the Abbey of Notre-Dame de Cîteaux won’t make a fuss about it, I promise. It has to be said that the queen mother of Cistercian abbeys has seen a lot since it was founded in 1098. To discover its history, head for the west of the Côte-d’Or, where an exceptional visit awaits you. Between light and shade, the cloister of the copyists and the library are revealed, before giving way to a fascinating exhibition of twelfth-century illuminations. Take a stroll, look around and let yourself be overwhelmed by the serenity of this monument.

Delicious to know: the monks of the abbey (yes, it is still inhabited) also produce an excellent cheese, Cîteaux, which is sold on site. Buy yourself a slice!

Finish the afternoon with a tasting at the Trapet-Rochelandet family estate in Gevrey-Chambertin. No additives, low yields and respect for the Climats: this small 7-hectare estate, nestling in the hills above the village, is all about love of the vine. An ethic to savour, between white Aligoté, Burgundy and the fine tannins of a Gevrey-Chambertin.

You're going to love this

La Toute Petite Auberge (Vosne-Romanée)
Hôtel du Richebourg (Vosne-Romanée)

Those evenings

Still on the Route des Grands Crus de Bourgogne, with the Toute Petite Auberge and its proud raspberry frontage. There are two rooms to choose from in this fine Vosne-Romanée address. On the first side, the restaurant and its fine bistronomic cuisine. Don’t miss the lamb mignon and beetroot with fresh goat’s cheese! On the other side, you’ll find a wine bar and local nuggets, with a snack option.

In fine fettle

End the day in style at Clos Amiot in Morey-Saint-Denis. This village house, completely renovated as a gîte, guarantees you a pleasant and comfortable night’s sleep. With a fully-equipped kitchen for breakfast, a private courtyard for reading and bike hire for the more adventurous, what more could you ask for?

You're going to love this

Hôtel & Spa Le Richebourg (Vosne-Romanée)
Au Clos Amiot (Morey-Saint-Denis)
Motorhome park (Nuits-Saint-Georges)

Climats, cellar and Garden of Eden

Step

01 Step 01

Day 2 Climats, cellar and Garden of Eden

Good morning Burgundy!

What are grape varieties and climates? What do winemakers do in the vineyard? Why do we talk about bouquet? To answer all these questions (and many more), visit the Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne in Beaune this morning . First shock: the architecture. Sleek, light and powerful. A vision that will be awarded a prestigious prize in 2023. Second shock: the sheer number of activities on offer! Multi-sensory experiences around the vines, an immersive trail to understand everything about the richness of the Climats de Bourgogne and their inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List… Enough to make young and old alike dizzy!

Our advice: take at least half a day to discover all the wonders of the Cité without hurrying.

Discover the City

Burgundy International City of Gastronomy and Wine — ©Agence Les Conteurs

The beginning of hunger

Enjoying the atmosphere? Extend the pleasure to the 4th floor with a stop at the bar Les Accords. It’s simple, all tastes are allowed. As long as they’re local! Glass of wine? Gourmet platters? Meals on the go? Gourmet coffee? All you have to do is ask. For us, it’ll be Kir®* de Bourgogne as an aperitif, a platter of local cheeses and a cappuccino. No sugar, thank you!

*Kir® is a registered trademark of Lejay-Lagoute

You're going to love this

Les Accords (Beaune)
Le Fleury (Beaune)

Our favourite event

Did you know? June is Climat Month! It’s a festive, gourmet event that celebrates the world’s heritage through a series of original activities. We love (re)discovering the unique landscapes, heritage and know-how of the Climats du vignoble de Bourgogne. A great overview of this national treasure that is the envy of the world. Book your aperitif with VUE(Valeur Universelle Exceptionnelle) over the vineyards and plunge into the underground tours to discover the underground heritage.

Celebrating the Climats

In the afternoon

In the heart of Beaune, the polychrome roofs immediately catch your eye: majestic and radiant, the Hospices invite you in.

For several centuries, a wine-growing estate (now covering over 60 hectares!) has been attached to the Hospices, whose wines are produced and sold at the famous Hospices auctions, making it a true emblem of Burgundy wines and their legendary hospitality.

This masterpiece of medieval architecture lets its colours do the talking: on the outside, the yellow and brown of its glazed tiles reflect the aesthetic imported from Flanders. Inside, the vibrant red of the individual dressing rooms tells of the building’s hospital past, while a gilded, vermeil and blue altarpiece by Flemish master Roger Van der Weyden illustrates the Last Judgement of the sick. Don’t miss the themed tour of the cellars and the various sensory activities on the aromas of wine!

Finally, trot on over to Maison Joseph Drouhin, just two minutes from the museum. The oldest cellars in Beaune are right here! Book a personalised tour of this labyrinthine site steeped in history, the signature of Beaune’s underground world.

You're going to love this

Le Caveau des Arches (Beaune)
Le Carmin (Beaune)
Garum (Beaune)

Those evenings

If you can drink underground in the Côte-d’Or, you can certainly dine there! The proof is in the Caveau des Arches in Beaune, a prestigious address nestling in a 15th-century stone crypt. Make no mistake about it, the atmosphere is more than welcoming. From the welcome to the plate, Burgundy warms hearts and bodies, with foie gras ravioli melted in Chardonnay, pan-fried garlic snails and Mercurey “La Brigadière”.

Les Jardins De Loïs in Beaune guest house — ©Les Jardins De Loïs

In fine fettle

Les Jardins de Loïs,your evening guest house, is like a foretaste of paradise. Imagine… A superb residence, rustic and chic, overlooking a vast 4,500 m² garden full of flowers. A hammam and swimming pool to keep you warm and cool. And finally, imagine the top-of-the-range bedrooms and suites, ideal for Burgundy dreams.

You're going to love this

Escapade in Dijon, veal nuts and historic monuments

Step

01 Step 01

Day 3 Escapade in Dijon, veal nuts and historic monuments

Good morning Burgundy!

Enough of the underground, let’s get out in the fresh air this morning, thanks to L’Atelier Vigne et Vin de Beaune. On the programme for your outing: total immersion in the Climats during a walk around the Colline de Corton, an introduction to landscape reading and a gourmet tasting session in the heart of the vineyards. 6 kilometres, 3 hours of walking and 2 to 4 Grands Crus to savour… it’s up to you.

Continue your roadtrip along the Route des Grands Crus de Bourgogne with an invitation to marvel. The address? Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie et du Vin,Cave de la Cité, 21000 Dijon! On site, you’ll discover the wine bar with the largest number of references in the world. Twirl between the 40 emblematic houses represented and navigate between the 3 levels of the Cave, including a superb 300 m² terrace.

Our tip: Don’t hesitate to visit the Chapelle des Climats. Just a stone’s throw from the Cité, it’s the second essential site for getting to grips with Burgundy’s vineyards and their thousand and one subtleties. It’s a free experience, open to all.

Cite Internationale De La Gastronomie Et Du Vin - Route des Grands Crus de Bourgogne — ©Agence Les Conteurs - International City of Gastronomy and Wine

Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie et du Vin in Dijon — ©Agence les Conteurs - Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie et du Vin de Dijon

You're going to love this

La Table des Climats – Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie et du Vin (Dijon)
Gastronomic village – Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie et du Vin (Dijon)

The beginning of hunger

No need to look any further, the Table des Climats serves up its tasty dishes at lunchtime. Mastery, creativity and a love of the land are the hallmarks of this ‘vistronomic’ restaurant run by ambitious chef Alexandre Clochet-Rousselet. An exceptional place, an exceptional menu! Like a tribute to Burgundy, its terroir and its Climats, the menu offers a stylish selection of asparagus tips, French chanterelles, candied veal and herbs from the kitchen garden.

In the afternoon

Dijon and its history can be enjoyed like a vintage wine! The city is part of the Climats du vignoble de Bourgogne World Heritage Site, with more than ten emblematic monuments, from the Dukes’ Palace to the historic cellars, which tell the story of its rich wine-growing past.

To round off this heritage bouquet, Dijon also has another prestigious distinction to its name: the French Gastronomic Meal is listed as an intangible cultural heritage site. Since 2022, the Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie et du Vin has been celebrating this rich heritage with exhibitions, gourmet shops and immersive tours, turning the city into a veritable temple of wine and gastronomy. Even Stéphane Bern has fallen under its spell… we bet it’ll be your next favourite too!

Those evenings

The last evening and the last restaurant on the Route des Grands Crus de Bourgogne,Loiseau des Ducs opens its doors to you. But not just any doors: that of the Hôtel de Talmay, listed as a French Historic Monument. Inside, you can choose between 3 different atmospheres. More raw, uncluttered charm? The XVIᵉ vaulted room should please you. Looking for hushed comfort? The XIXᵉ bourgeois drawing room will delight you. And for lovers of local colour, the typical Burgundian salon will be the best option.

You're going to love this

Loiseau des Ducs (Dijon)
La Porte Guillaume (Dijon)

Hôtel la Cloche in Dijon — ©Les Conteurs - Hôtel la Cloche, Dijon

You're going to love this

La Cloche (Dijon)
Maison Philippe Le Bon (Dijon)
Le Central (Dijon)
Darcy Hotel (Dijon)
Motorhome park (Marsannay-la-Côte)

In fine fettle

Conclude your Climats de Côte-d’Or road trip with a unique experience under the stars by spending a night at the Grand Hôtel La Cloche, in the heart of Dijon city centre, under ancient stone vaults.

Why choose it?

Three days of UNESCO action

Three days, three stages, a thousand emotions. On the Route des Grands Crus de Bourgogne, every bend in the road reveals a piece of UNESCO World Heritage: mosaics of vines, wine-growing villages and know-how ranked at the pinnacle of good taste.
From Gevrey-Chambertin to Dijon, this road trip of 100% climats and 200% pleasure proves that, in Burgundy, the vine is the heritage.

The Climats of Burgundylife-size

Along this legendary route, the Climats du vignoble de Bourgogne can be savoured in the open air.
Between vaulted cellars and panoramic bars, thousand-year-old wineries and state-of-the-art wine cities, you can travel back in time (and up the hillsides!) to meet the people who make the heart of Burgundy beat faster.
On the programme: classified wines, passionate encounters, and landscapes so beautiful they deserve their UNESCO medal.

The Route des Grands Crus,slow & wow" version

A road trip à la carte, designed for strolling, tasting and marvelling.
Cistercian abbey, Hospices de Beaune, Cité des Climats et Vins de Bourgogne or Cité de la Gastronomie in Dijon: it’s all here.
Here, you can savour wine, vines and life in complete freedom. So, are you ready to take Burgundy’s most legendary road?

FAQ

How much time should you allow for this UNESCO road trip?
Three days is the ideal time to enjoy the Côte de Nuits, Beaune and Dijon. You can shorten it to two days, but it would be a shame to miss out on a drink (or a panorama).
What can you discover on the Route des Grands Crus de Bourgogne?
The Climats du vignoble de Bourgogne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site: 1,247 plots of vines, landscapes sculpted by centuries of know-how, and exceptional wines to taste between two visits.
What is a Burgundy "Climat"?
A unique terroir, demarcated since the Middle Ages, which gives its name to the wine produced there. Each Climat is a personality, a soil, a light, a different emotion in the glass.
When should you do this road trip?
April to October, it’s the golden season! Spring for the budding vines, summer for the terraces, autumn for the magic of the grape harvest.
Do I need to book tastings?
Yes, especially on the Côte de Nuits and in Beaune. The big estates sell out quickly, but there are plenty of family-run wineries that will welcome you at a moment’s notice (in moderation, of course!).
Why is this road trip unique?
Because it combines everything that makes Burgundy great: vines, wine, heritage and the pleasures of life. A sensory adventure, classified, vintage and to be savoured without moderation… except in the glass!