When was the Route des Grands Crus de Bourgogne created?

The Route des Grands Crus de Bourgogne was created in 1937 on the initiative of the Côte-d’Or department. It was the first wine route in France! It was created to introduce the first motorised tourists of the 1930s to the most beautiful wine-growing villages and the great wines of Burgundy. A visionary idea that became a legend.

Why is the Route des Grands Crus so famous?

Because it brings together the best of Burgundy in just 60 kilometres: legendary vineyards, 31 wine-producing villages, 32 Grands Crus and UNESCO-listed landscapes. It’s a real immersion in a living heritage, shaped by centuries of know-how around vines and wine.

What are the "Climats" of the Burgundy vineyards?

Climats are not weather conditions, but parcels of vines that have been precisely delimited since the Middle Ages. Each has its own unique soil, exposure and history, giving rise to wines with very distinct identities. It is this exceptional mosaic of terroirs that earned Burgundy its place on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2015.

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

Visit the estates and cellars, meet the winemakers, taste the wines, stroll through the villages, visit the emblematic sites (Clos de Vougeot, Hôtel Dieu des Hospices de Beaune…), or enjoy the wine and heritage towns. And above all: take the time to experience Burgundy.

The Burgundy Grands Crus route from the air — ©Route des Grands Crus de Bourgogne- Les Conteurs

a legend born in 1937 A brief history of the Route The "Champs-Élysées of Burgundy" at UNESCO

It’s only 60 kilometres long, but it’s the stuff of dreams the world over.
Between Dijon and Santenay, the Route des Grands Crus de Bourgogne winds its way through thousand-year-old vines, picture-postcard villages and some of the most prestigious wines in the world.
Created in 1937 as France’s first wine route, it crosses the Climats du vignoble de Bourgogne, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Here, every low wall tells a story of know-how, every cellar a story, every glass a bit of Burgundian genius.
Are you ready to follow the most beautiful legend of wine?

Before GPS apps, there was already a legendary route to follow: the Route des Grands Crus de Bourgogne.
France’s first wine route, it was created in 1937 thanks to a (very) brilliant idea from the Côte-d’Or department: to link the greatest wine-producing villages on a route to be savoured… literally and figuratively!

Along the 60 km stretch between Dijon and Santenay, the route leads straight to the heart of the Climats de Bourgogne vineyards , which have been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2015.
Along the way: 31 wine-growing villages, 32 Grands Crus (the 33ᵉ is in Chablis, he didn’t want to miss the party!) and a compendium of expertise, history and pleasure in life. No wonder it’s nicknamed the “Champs-Élysées of Burgundy”!

From Gevrey-Chambertin to Clos de Vougeot, from Vosne-Romanée to Meursault, the route winds its way through centuries of history and miles of pleasure: thousand-year-old vines, prestigious cellars, legendary wine merchants…
More than just an itinerary, it’s an account of a wine culture, an art of living sculpted by time, the land and passion.

A legendary route born of a vintage idea

Aerial view of Château du Clos de Vougeot — ©Les Conteurs - Aerial view of the Château du Clos de Vougeot

The Côte-d’Or has the wind (and the wine) in its sails. Tourism is booming, weekends are getting longer, and visitors are starting to set their sights on these picture-postcard landscapes.
That’s when a vintage idea comes to mind:

What if we drew up a road to showcase Burgundy’s finest vineyards and best vintages?

The concept was launched: a ribbon of road winding between the Côte de Nuits and the Côte de Beaune, lined with dry stone walls, villages with character and signs inviting visitors to explore.
In 1937, the Route des Grands Crus was inaugurated: the first wine route in France!

Since then, this “trail of wonders” has attracted thousands of travellers, curious onlookers, epicureans and wine lovers every year, who have come to sample Burgundy in all its authenticity.
An exceptional terroir, living traditions and hospitality that never goes out of fashion.

60 kilometres of pure vinous bliss

The Route des Grands Crus de Bourgogne is 60 km of pure wine-growing pleasure from north to south, between Dijon and Santenay.
A sensory journey through vineyards, low stone walls and villages with names that are the stuff of dreams for wine lovers the world over.

Between the Côte de Beaune and the Côte de Nuits, the route unfolds a cinematic backdrop of golden hills, bell towers, cellars and lanes lined with low walls. A route to savour, camera in one hand, glass of Burgundy in the other (in moderation, of course!).

Côte de Nuits

To the north is the kingdom of Pinot Noir: Romanée-Conti, Chambertin, Clos de Vougeot… exceptional vintages born on mythical hillsides. Here, every village is a liquid legend.

Côte de Nuits

Côte de Beaune

Further south, it’s time for Chardonnay!
Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Corton-Charlemagne… all names that will make your glasses and eyes sparkle.

Côte de Beaune

The "Climats" : a terroir of infinite nuances

In Burgundy, we don’t just talk about vines: we talk about Climats.
These unique micro-terroirs, sculpted by centuries of human know-how, tell the story of the intimate relationship between the soil, the sun and the winemaker. Each Climat has its own personality, its own light, its own texture, its own signature in the glass.

It is this mosaic of parcels, this living cultural landscape, that earned Burgundy its place on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2015. A distinction that celebrates both the landscapes and the people who bring them to life.

Find out more about the Climats

Vineyards close to Meursault — ©The Storytellers

A road to savour

The Route des Grands Crus de Bourgogne can be travelled at the speed of a step, a glass of wine or a smile. Stop, smell, taste and admire. Each stop is an encounter, each cellar a story, each village a page in the great book of wine.

So whether you’re an enlightened connoisseur, a curious visitor or an epicurean at heart, let yourself be carried along this ribbon of vines and emotions.
Because here, the vine is the heritage – and the Route is the heartbeat of Burgundy.

FAQ

When was the Route des Grands Crus de Bourgogne created?
The Route des Grands Crus de Bourgogne was created in 1937 on the initiative of the Côte-d’Or department. It was the first wine route in France!
It was created to introduce the first motorised tourists of the 1930s to the most beautiful wine-growing villages and the great wines of Burgundy. A visionary idea that became a legend.
Why is the Route des Grands Crus so famous?
Because it brings together the best of Burgundy in just 60 kilometres:
legendary vineyards, 31 wine-producing villages, 32 Grands Crus and UNESCO-listed landscapes.
It’s a real immersion in a living heritage, shaped by centuries of know-how around vines and wine.
What are the "Climats" of the Burgundy vineyards?
Climats are not weather conditions, but parcels of vines that have been precisely delimited since the Middle Ages.
Each has its own unique soil, exposure and history, giving rise to wines with very distinct identities.
It is this exceptional mosaic of terroirs that earned Burgundy its place on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2015.
What can you do on the Route des Grands Crus de Bourgogne?
Visit the estates and cellars, meet the winemakers, taste the wines, stroll through the villages, visit the emblematic sites (Clos de Vougeot, Hôtel Dieu des Hospices de Beaune…), or enjoy the wine and heritage towns.
And above all: take the time to experience Burgundy.