The moment I walked into Hospices de Beaune, with its glazed tile roof glowing like jewels in the sun, I knew Burgundy wasn’t messing around. These folks built hospitals that look like palaces! And don’t even get me started on Vézelay Abbey. Standing on that hilltop, gazing across miles of vineyards while church bells rang through the valley, I felt like I’d stepped into a medieval fairy tale.
From ancient wine cellars carved into limestone to the most beautiful places in Burgundy, like the canals of Dijon lined with flowers and cafes, this region serves up the best of France on a silver platter. Ready to discover 11 spots that’ll make you fall head over heels for this wine lover’s paradise? Let’s go.
Hidden Gems to See in Burgundy
Looking to explore Burgundy’s most beautiful places? From the historic vineyards of Beaune to the stunning architecture of Dijon, Burgundy is packed with stunning scenery. Stroll through the charming streets of Vézelay, marvel at the natural beauty of Morvan Regional Park, or explore the cultural richness of Cluny Abbey. Discover the tranquil allure of Chablis, the picturesque landscapes of Côte de Nuits, or the serene canals of Briare. Whether you’re into wine, history, or countryside charm, here are 12 of Burgundy’s most breathtaking spots!
1. Château-Chalon
- 📍 Location: Eastern France in the Jura department, 1 hour south of Besançon and 1.5 hours northeast of Lyon
- 🏆 Best For: Wine enthusiasts 🍷, history lovers 🏰, photography buffs 📸
- 📸 Top Experiences: Tasting the famous Vin Jaune, exploring the historic village, hiking the vineyard trails
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: Late spring through early fall for ideal weather, September for the wine harvest 🍇
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Château de Germigney – Elegant 18th-century manor house with gourmet restaurant and landscaped gardens
Château-Chalon will make your Instagram followers green with envy as you sip wine atop a limestone cliff. This charming village produces the legendary Vin Jaune, aged for over six years under a layer of yeast. Visit the Maison de la Haute Seille Museum for an excellent introduction to local winemaking traditions, then explore the marked vineyard trails through UNESCO-protected landscapes.
For peak excitement, plan your visit during the Percée du Vin Jaune Festival, when the new vintage is ceremoniously tapped amid music and celebration.
2. Châteauneuf-en-Auxois
- 📍 Location: Burgundy region, 40 minutes west of Dijon and 2.5 hours southeast of Paris
- 🏆 Best For: Medieval architecture enthusiasts 🏰, photographers 📸, history buffs 🏛️
- 📸 Top Experiences: Exploring the 12th-century fortress, wandering the medieval village, cruising the Burgundy Canal
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May through September for pleasant weather and full access to attractions 🌞
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hôtel du Cheval Blanc – Charming accommodations in a historic building with views of the château
Châteauneuf-en-Auxois looks like it jumped straight out of Game of Thrones. This perfectly preserved village offers the medieval experience you’ve been craving. The 12th-century château remains remarkably intact with defensive towers and furnished rooms showcasing life from medieval times.
I found myself mesmerized by the panoramic views from the village walls. Wander narrow lanes to discover artisan shops and the ancient church. For a refreshing change of pace, rent a bicycle or take a boat cruise along the picturesque Burgundy Canal below. Sunday visitors get a bonus treat with the village market, where local producers sell regional specialties beneath medieval walls.
3. Flavigny-sur-Ozerain
- 📍 Location: Burgundy region, 1 hour northwest of Dijon and 3 hours southeast of Paris
- 🏆 Best For: Culinary travelers 🍬, medieval history lovers 🏰, film enthusiasts 🎬
- 📸 Top Experiences: Visiting the ancient anise candy factory, exploring the Carolingian abbey, walking the ramparts
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: April through October for pleasant weather and active village life 🌷
- 🏨 Where to Stay: La Maison du Colombier – Elegant lodging in a restored medieval building
Flavigny-sur-Ozerain lets you step into the movie “Chocolat” while snacking on France’s oldest candy tradition. This exquisite hilltop village has produced Anis de Flavigny candies in the same abbey since 1591. Walking through one of the ancient gates feels like stepping through a time portal. The village wraps around the remains of a Benedictine abbey founded in the 8th century.
I couldn’t believe my luck finding the candy factory tour where they still make treats by hand using traditional methods. Don’t miss sampling the delicate anise flavors. The defensive walls offer stunning panoramic views of the surrounding Auxois countryside with its patchwork of fields and forests.
4. Forêts National Park
- 📍 Location: Northeastern France, spanning parts of Champagne-Ardenne and Lorraine regions, 2 hours east of Paris
- 🏆 Best For: Nature lovers 🌲, hikers 🥾, wildlife photographers 📸
- 📸 Top Experiences: Hiking through ancient forests, wildlife watching, visiting historic sites within the park
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: Late spring for wildflowers, September and October for spectacular autumn colors 🍂
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hôtel du Parc – Comfortable accommodation near the park entrance with forest views
Forêts National Park offers the digital detox and forest bathing your stressed city soul desperately needs. France’s newest national park protects one of Western Europe’s largest continuous broadleaf forests. Ancient oak and beech trees create cathedral-like spaces perfect for mindfulness moments. The park offers over 600 kilometers of marked trails for every fitness level. I spotted red deer at dawn while hiking the silent paths. History buffs will discover fascinating traces of the past, including remnants of a Gallo-Roman villa and abandoned villages reclaimed by nature.
The Maison du Parc visitor center helps plan your perfect forest adventure. For an unforgettable experience, book a guided nighttime walk to hear owls and nocturnal creatures.
5. Irancy
- 📍 Location: Northern Burgundy, 15 minutes south of Auxerre and 2 hours southeast of Paris
- 🏆 Best For: Wine connoisseurs 🍷, countryside wanderers 🚶♂️, photography enthusiasts 📸
- 📸 Top Experiences: Wine tasting at local domaines, hiking through the amphitheater of vineyards, exploring the historic village
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May through October for vineyard activities, late September for the harvest 🍇
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Domaine Borgnat – Wine estate accommodation offering rooms among the vineyards
Irancy offers the authentic wine village experience that larger Burgundy destinations have lost to tourism. This picturesque hidden gem nestles in a natural amphitheater of vineyards producing distinctive reds from Pinot Noir with a splash of rare César grapes. The village’s reddish-orange tile roofs create one of wine country’s most photogenic landscapes. I’ve spent hours in cellars dug into the hillside tasting robust local wines with passionate vintners.
The 13th-century Saint-Germain Church contains impressive wooden statues and offers charming village views from its elevated position. After exploring the church’s historical treasures, follow the marked hiking trail through surrounding vineyards for spectacular panoramas of the countryside. For an even more memorable experience, visit in December for the Saint-Vincent wine festival, when the village comes alive with tastings, music, and regional cuisine celebrating the local viticulture traditions.
6. Morvan Regional Natural Park
- 📍 Location: Central Burgundy, 1 hour west of Dijon and 3 hours southeast of Paris
- 🏆 Best For: Outdoor enthusiasts 🏞️, water sports lovers 🚣♀️, history buffs 🏛️
- 📸 Top Experiences: Hiking mountain trails, kayaking on pristine lakes, exploring Celtic and WWII heritage sites
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May through September for outdoor activities, early autumn for spectacular forest colors 🍂
- 🏨 Where to Stay: La Maison des Lacs – Rustic lakeside cottages with private terraces overlooking the water and access to forest trails
Morvan Regional Natural Park will remind you why you work hard all year for vacation time. This wild, granite mountain range rises dramatically from Burgundy’s plains, creating a rugged playground for adventure seekers. The park’s six major lakes offer excellent swimming and paddling, with Lac des Settons being the largest and most developed. I’ve spent entire afternoons kayaking crystal-clear waters surrounded by dense forest. Over 1,000 kilometers of marked trails crisscross the park for hikers of all levels.
History enthusiasts will appreciate the area’s rich past at the Musée de la Résistance in Saint-Brisson. The park’s scattered villages maintain traditional ways of life, with local producers offering mountain honey, goat cheese, and heirloom vegetables.
7. Noyers-sur-Serein
- 📍 Location: Burgundy region, 2 hours southeast of Paris and 30 minutes from Chablis
- 🏆 Best For: Medieval architecture lovers 🏰, photographers 📸, history enthusiasts 🏛️
- 📸 Top Experiences: Wandering medieval streets, visiting 12th-century castle ruins, enjoying Saturday market
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May-September for festivals 🎭, December for Christmas market ❄️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Le Clos du Château – Charming B&B in a historic building
Craving an authentic medieval experience without the tourist crowds? Noyers-sur-Serein will transport you straight to the 14th century. This fortified village sits within a picturesque loop of the Serein River, showcasing 78 preserved historical monuments and half-timbered houses that seem frozen in time.
The bustling Place de l’Hôtel-de-Ville comes alive during market days with regional cheeses and wines. I’ve never seen more perfect medieval arcades anywhere in France. Don’t miss the climb to the castle ruins for spectacular vineyard views. Local galleries and workshops showcase regional artisans, while restaurants serve delicious Burgundian specialties. The narrow lanes create a medieval atmosphere that larger destinations simply can’t match.
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8. Pernand-Vergelesses
- 📍 Location: Heart of Burgundy wine country, 5 miles northwest of Beaune
- 🏆 Best For: Wine enthusiasts 🍷, gourmets 🍽️, countryside walkers 🥾
- 📸 Top Experiences: Wine tasting at local domaines, hiking through vineyards, photographing colorful landscapes
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: September-October for grape harvest 🍇, April-June for green vineyards
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Les Jardins de Loïs – Elegant guesthouse with vineyard views
Wine lovers seeking the ultimate Burgundy experience without the tourist buses will fall hard for Pernand-Vergelesses. This tiny village nestles at the foot of the distinctive Hill of Corton, surrounded by world-class vineyards, including several Grand Cru plots.
Stone houses with traditional Burgundian tiled roofs line narrow streets winding uphill. The 13th-century church provides perfect views of vineyard patchworks representing centuries of winemaking tradition. You’ll never forget tasting with passionate local vignerons in their family cellars. The nearby Corton-Charlemagne vineyards produce white wines supposedly favored by Emperor Charlemagne himself. Marked trails through the vineyards offer breathtaking seasonal views from bright spring green to golden harvest amber.
9. Pesmes
- 📍 Location: Franche-Comté region along the Ognon River, 30 minutes northwest of Dole
- 🏆 Best For: Architecture enthusiasts 🏛️, river activities 🚣, off-the-beaten-path travelers
- 📸 Top Experiences: Exploring Renaissance mansions, kayaking the Ognon River, visiting the 13th-century church
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: Late spring through summer for river activities 🌸, early fall for peaceful exploration
- 🏨 Where to Stay: La Maison du Moulin – Charming riverside inn with garden views and traditional Burgundian architecture
Adventure seekers looking for France’s best-kept secret should head straight to Pesmes. This fortified village rises dramatically above a bend in the Ognon River, its impressive stone walls and Renaissance buildings revealing its prosperous past.
The remarkable preservation of architectural heritage ranges from medieval defensive walls to elegant 16th-century mansions built by wealthy iron merchants. The Forge Museum highlights the village’s industrial history, while Saint-Hilaire Church showcases beautiful stained glass. I’ve spent entire afternoons simply kayaking the clear waters surrounding this hidden gem. Several marked walking paths lead through the surrounding countryside and forests. The gorgeous Garden of the Forges blends history with horticulture in a uniquely French way, offering visitors an authentic glimpse of traditional life.
10. Semur-en-Brionnais
- 📍 Location: Southern Burgundy, 1.5 hours west of Lyon and 20 minutes from Charolles
- 🏆 Best For: Romanesque architecture buffs 🏛️, countryside explorers 🚶, history enthusiasts
- 📸 Top Experiences: Visiting 9th-century Saint-Hilaire church, exploring castle ruins, enjoying panoramic countryside views
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: Late spring through early fall for cafés 🌞, May for wildflower meadows
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Château de Cypierre – Elegant lodging in a nearby historic château
Looking for the perfect Instagram backdrop that hasn’t been discovered yet? Semur-en-Brionnais stands proudly on its hilltop as one of Burgundy’s oldest medieval sites. This golden-stone village glows at sunset, creating a magical atmosphere far from tourist crowds.
The village centers around Saint-Hugues Castle ruins, one of France’s oldest feudal castles, dating to the 9th century. From its walls, sweeping views reveal the famous Charolais countryside with distinctive white cattle grazing green pastures. The Romanesque Saint-Hilaire Church inspired many regional churches with its remarkable capitals and harmonious design. I could spend days wandering these narrow streets lined with historic houses. Don’t miss the 16th-century Hôtel-Dieu or sampling local cuisine featuring renowned Charolais beef in this authentic slice of rural French heritage.
11. Vézelay
- 📍 Location: Northern Burgundy, 2.5 hours southeast of Paris and 1 hour from Auxerre
- 🏆 Best For: Religious pilgrims 🙏, art and history lovers 🎨, literature enthusiasts 📚
- 📸 Top Experiences: Visiting UNESCO Basilica, walking pilgrim’s path, enjoying sunset hilltop views
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: Early summer for lavender fields 💜, solstices for perfect basilica sunlight
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hôtel de la Poste et Lion d’Or – Historic lodging frequented by famous writers
Spiritual seekers and architecture enthusiasts will be awestruck by Vézelay, a hilltop village that has inspired pilgrims and artists for nearly a thousand years. This UNESCO World Heritage site centers around the magnificent Basilica of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine, believed to house Mary Magdalene’s relics.
The basilica features extraordinary carved capitals telling biblical stories and a golden-hued facade. Twice yearly during solstices, I’ve witnessed sunlight creating a perfect path down the central nave. The village’s main street leads to the basilica, lined with galleries and cafés in historic buildings. Panoramic views from the basilica terrace stretch across Cure Valley and the rolling hills of Morvan Regional Park. As the starting point for a major Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route, Vézelay maintains a special atmosphere of contemplation that resonates with modern travelers seeking meaning.
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