What to See Iconic Places in Burgundy

What to See Iconic Places in Burgundy

Written by Deepak Bhagat, In Travel, Updated On
December 14th, 2021
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The French province of Burgundy lies on the border between northern and southern Europe. A significant part of its territory is occupied by pristine lakes and rich vineyards; many world-famous wines are named after local cities.

Vacationers to these places are attracted by picturesque villages and majestic ancient castles, graceful churches and unique natural attractions. Gourmets are delighted with local culinary traditions, even in the restaurants of provincial towns, chefs prepare exquisite dishes.

What to See Iconic Places in Burgundy

1) The area of ​​Sensa’s town is famous for its beautiful natural places; here you can take a tour of the beautiful lakes or go fishing in the most remote places in the area. Charolais’ suburban areas are entirely grassland and grassland, with the province’s largest national park in the Nevers region. In addition to exciting excursions, Morvan Park offers its guests to go horseback riding; a riding school is open on the reserve territory.

2) Among the region’s architectural landmarks, the most visited are the Church of St. Mary in Grape, located in Oxon, the Church of de Brou, the Abbey of Fontenay and the buildings of Bress. In the suburban area of ​​Macon, there is the famous Cluny monastery, which was founded at the beginning of the 10th century.

3) More than 60 thousand pilgrims from all over the world visit the shrine annually. On the Saone-et-Loire department’s territory, there is another prominent historical monument – the Cochet castle, whose construction was completed in the 11th century. The fortress occupies a vast territory, the obligatory excursion program includes a visit to the prison tower and dungeons.

4) No less magnificent building is the Saint-Pointe Castle, in one of the halls where an art gallery is open today. However, the hallmark of Burgundy is not historical sights but excellent wines. Large wineries are located literally in every corner of the province; Beaune’s ancient city has been the center of winemaking for many years.

5) Connoisseurs of the drink should definitely visit a local winery and dine at one of the restaurants. Wine lists of Burgundy restaurants will pleasantly surprise even the most discerning customers, and the hospitality and cordiality of local residents will make the rest even more pleasant and unique.

6) Most interesting historical sights can be see in the beautiful villages of burgundy – the city of Dijon. This quiet charming town carefully preserves its historical heritage; its main symbol is the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy. It is a large-scale architectural complex; part of the palace is now occupied by a historical museum.

7) Dijon’s sights are very convenient to explore during walking tours; historical buildings here alternate with picturesque parks and gardens. Not far from the train station there is Darcy Garden, and the station building itself is of great historical value. Many historic buildings in Dijon today house wine bars, cellars, and interesting souvenir shops.

8) The city of Beaune, which is considered the wine capital of the region, also has many unique historical sites. A spectacular Gothic monument is the Hospice House, which is the permanent venue for the annual charity fair. The best winemakers from all over the world take part in it, they present the best wines from their cellars for sale. All proceeds from sales go to charity.

Cultural landmarks in Burgundy

1) Among the cultural and historical sights of Burgundy, there are many objects of world importance. In Wesel there is the Basilica of Mary Magdalene – a unique religious monument in every respect, which amazes with its grandeur and beauty. The Abbey of the Cistercians is located in Fontenay – another monument of world importance, with which many interesting stories are connected.

2) Dijon is very interesting from an excursion point of view; an ordinary walk along its ancient streets can turn into an exciting excursion. One of the city’s main symbols has been the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy (Palais Ducal) for many years. It is currently home to the Museum of Applied and Fine Arts.

3) It is worth considering that all the exhibits presented within the museum’s walls once belonged to the owners of the castle. One of the oldest cities in the province is Avallon. In the 15th century, it was surrounded by powerful fortification walls. Some elements of the fortifications are well preserved to this day, hundreds of curious tourists come to admire them every day. One of the most beautiful fortifications is the Tour Gaujard, which was built in 1438.

4) In Burgundy, the influence of the Roman past is clearly felt, one of the most spectacular monuments from the time of the Roman Empire can be seen in Autun. We are talking about the Roman gate, which miraculously managed to survive to this day in its original form. The picturesque town of Nevers should not be deprived of attention, the starting point of excursion routes along which is the charming Place Carnot.

5) Next to the square is the 15th century ducal palace, which has undergone many reconstructions over its long history. Today the facade of the building is decorated with graceful sculptural compositions.

6) The main symbol of Bon is the old hospital with the unusual name Hotel Dieu. Built-in the 15th century, it has a vast and incredibly beautiful courtyard. It is here that the annual wine auction is held, which attracts connoisseurs of Burgundy wine from all over the world.

7) Magnificent ducal palaces and ancient abbeys, majestic castles and fortresses, countless museums and art galleries – the cultural heritage of Burgundy are very multifaceted.

Things to do in Burgundy

1) Going on vacation, without exception, travelers are wondering what entertainment to diversify their leisure time. It is difficult to surprise modern travelers with an abundance of restaurants, entertainment venues and sports centers; Burgundy is ready to offer its guests several rather unusual ways of spending leisure time.

2) Among the province’s main distinguishing features are the cleanest rivers, which in the warm season become attractive for fans of beach holidays. Fans of water sports have chosen almost all the local rivers; you can find rental centers for sports and beach equipment on the shore.

3) If a serene stay on the beach is not impressive, then travelers are invited to go hunting. Of course, you can hunt game, which is rich in vast forests, but truffle hunting is more in demand among tourists. More than 4 tons of exquisite mushrooms are harvested annually in the province, which is appreciated by gourmets worldwide.

4) Tourists can search for truffles accompanied by an experienced guide and a specially trained pig; such events are organized both for individual tourists and for large groups. The mushroom picking period begins in summer and lasts until the end of September.

5) In recent years, one of the most popular entertainments has become hot air ballooning. Everyone can appreciate the incomparable Burgundy landscapes from a bird’s eye view. Such walks are usually carried out in the early morning; several large specialized centers are involved in organizing flights.

6) Burgundy is also ideal for sports activities, and it’s not just about cycling and walking. There are about 20 high-class golf centers on the territory of the province, which are suitable for both experienced athletes and beginners.

Sights of Burgundy for families with children

1) The French region of Burgundy is like a journey into another world, fascinating and beautiful. The hysterical region has long been famous for its gastronomic delights – wine, mustard, Burgundy beef, fondue.

2) The kids will certainly love the local desserts – Dijon gingerbread, anise from Flavigny. But that’s not all there is to do while in Burgundy. The entertainment centers, museums, water parks, theme parks and zoos located in the region are worth visiting.

3) The northeastern part of Burgundy, where the region’s capital, Dijon, is located, deserves a visit first of all – here are the most interesting places to visit with children. So, here you can find a water park called Amphitrite, where little tourists can play on the playground in the pool, swim in pools for every taste, try a few slides and relax in the jacuzzi.

4) The swimming complex is located in the city of Montbar. If you want to spend time actively, it is recommended to visit the city of Messigny-e-Ventoux and go to In’Forest for exploration, where visitors can play paintball or laser tag, jumping on trampolines, bungee jumping, as well as bubble football.

5) There are several slides in the water park, and since it is primarily aimed at little kids, extreme water attractions are not to be found here. But the pools for every taste – please. The amusement park offers a ride on a variety of carousels designed for the smallest children.

6) In Chenow, in the vicinity of the capital of Burgundy, you should definitely visit La Ferme à l’école and enjoy the pastoral atmosphere, looking at goats, ponies, donkeys, all in a picturesque park entwined with vegetation.

Conclusion

In the western part of Burgundy, you can also find great places for the whole family. For example, this is the Cardoland dino park, which is located in the city of Shamu, with stunningly executed sculptures of dinosaurs and crocodiles almost in full growth, fascinating young tourists no less than the fakir’s music fascinates the cobra.

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