| Discover the Burgundy region of France | | | | attractive village, set on a quiet bend in a river, and |
| The Burgundy region is found to the south-east of | | | | said to have been founded by Hercules himself. |
| Paris, France. | | | | There are also several larger towns in Burgundy - |
| The region is perhaps best known for the wine it | | | | such as Auxerre and those associated with the great |
| produces - some of the best known (and most | | | | wine names. Many of these have interesting historical |
| loved) French wines come from the vineyards in the | | | | centres, the medieval houses reminding us of the rich |
| region, including the Beaujolais, Chablis, Beaune and | | | | past of Burgundy as we sit in a sunny café |
| Macon varieties. The wines of the region have a very | | | | on a quiet tree lined square. |
| distinctive character, although some of the better | | | | Further south in Burgundy be sure to visit the |
| known among these do command very high prices. | | | | Hotel-Dieu complex at Beaune - a medieval hospital |
| But there is more to Burgundy than fine wine! The | | | | complex, with both stunning buildings to admire and a |
| region has a fascinating history, and during the Middle | | | | fascinating chance to see what a medieval hospital |
| Ages it was an independent duchy, more wealthy | | | | looked like. |
| even than the French Royal Kingdom at that time. | | | | The western part of the region includes the Morvan |
| During the Hundred Years War Burgundy sided with | | | | national park, more hilly than the rest of Burgundy |
| the English against the French throne, and it was the | | | | and a popular place with hikers and cyclists. |
| Burgundians who captured Joan of Arc during this | | | | One other site that deserves special mention, out of |
| war, and sold her to the English - who subsequently | | | | the many churches, castles and villages that you will |
| interrogated her and burned her at the stake. It was | | | | enjoy visiting, is the project at Guedelon. This is a |
| not until the 17th century that the last remnants of | | | | large project to construct a castle using exactly the |
| this empire returned to the hands of the French | | | | same techniques and materials as were used 500 |
| It was during this period that Burgundy became very | | | | years ago. It is fascinating to watch the building take |
| wealthy, and many of the most notable historical | | | | shape, and to see the artisans shaping the materials |
| sites that we can visit today date from this period. | | | | in a project that will take decades to complete. |
| Perhaps the best known are the stunning abbeys at | | | | The villages in the region include several that are |
| Fontenay, Vezelay.and Pontigny. | | | | classified as 'most beautiful villages of France', and |
| Burgundy is also a popular location because of its | | | | others along the rivers and canals that cross the |
| scenic attractions. The countryside - meadows and | | | | region. It is along the canals that many visitors |
| woodlands interspersed by small scale agriculture | | | | choose to travel - especially along the Burgundy Canal |
| (typically small fields separated by hedgerows) - is | | | | that passes Dijon and the Nivernais Canal. These are |
| very pastoral, and made even more attractive by | | | | a very relaxing way to enjoy the countryside while |
| the many traditional small villages that dot the region. | | | | also passing by many of the most lovely riverside |
| The village of Semur-en-Auxois is a particularly | | | | villages. |