Burgandy and Rhone Valley area
Jul 7th, 2005, 08:38 AM
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Burgandy and Rhone Valley area
My husband and I are planning a trip to France next summer. We plan to stay in Paris for a few nights and then drive over to the Burgandy and Rhone Valley area. Does anyone have any recommendations for particular towns/cities in these areas to visit? I've heard Dijon, Grenoble and Geneva are quite nice.
Jul 7th, 2005, 10:06 AM
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do some research on Vezelay - on the edge of Burgundy right on your way - a medieval hilltown known for its Basilica that once was one of the top pilgrim meccas in Europe - before, in the Middle Ages, when the purported bones of Mary Magdalene the basilica claimed to house were exposed as fakes - the pilgrim torrent dried to a trickle and the town died - but this meant that it never changed - a wonderful one cobblestoned town draped over a hill in the pastoral Burgundy countryside - a great few-hour stop. the basilica is still rated one of the tops in Europe architecturally. In burgundy, Beaune is a great old town - a Burgundy wine capital - take the Route des Vins bourgogne north or south of it to pass by some of the great names in Burgundy wine making - in towns like Nuits Sts Georges - the serpentine road follows the foot of hills passing by many great wine houses with 'degustation' signs beckoning you to drop in for a free sample.
Jul 7th, 2005, 11:50 AM
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Grenoble and Geneva are fairly distant from Burgundy--Geneva is, in fact, in Switzerland, while Grenoble is down in the French alps.
I suggest that you get copies of the Michelin Green Guide to Burgundy and to the Rhône Valley for planning purposes--they contain a wealth of useful information are invaluable aides when it comes to planning itineraries.
I suggest that you get copies of the Michelin Green Guide to Burgundy and to the Rhône Valley for planning purposes--they contain a wealth of useful information are invaluable aides when it comes to planning itineraries.
Jul 7th, 2005, 11:56 AM
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ditto to Underhill's suggestion of Michelin Green Guides - invaluable for motoring and succint description of towns and sights. Though there is one for all of France get the regional ones for Burgundy and Rhone Valley (may be in Provence green guide).
Jul 8th, 2005, 02:44 AM
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Hi Crimmy, you can also have a look to
http://www.burgundy-tourism.com/
and www.cotedor-tourisme.com (only french for the moment)
and Dijon and Beaune are VERY nice! ;-)
Welcome to France
corinne
www.myhomeindijon.com
http://www.burgundy-tourism.com/
and www.cotedor-tourisme.com (only french for the moment)
and Dijon and Beaune are VERY nice! ;-)
Welcome to France
corinne
www.myhomeindijon.com
Jul 8th, 2005, 07:59 AM
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Burgundy and Rhone valley are not close. I would pick one.
In Burgundy, Beaune is very very nice. The town itself is beautiful with many historical buildings and great restaurants. It's also very centrally located to tour the wine region. We were planning to stay 2 days and ended up staying 5. I would pick it over Dijon as it's much smaller and nicer.
It's not a very long drive to Geneva. Annecy (nr Geneva) is beautiful. If you're looking for a small village to stay, Talloire on the shore of Lac Annecy is stunning. There's also a 3-star Michelin restaurant. We stayed in Talloire and took boat trips into Annecy which was perfect.
In Burgundy, Beaune is very very nice. The town itself is beautiful with many historical buildings and great restaurants. It's also very centrally located to tour the wine region. We were planning to stay 2 days and ended up staying 5. I would pick it over Dijon as it's much smaller and nicer.
It's not a very long drive to Geneva. Annecy (nr Geneva) is beautiful. If you're looking for a small village to stay, Talloire on the shore of Lac Annecy is stunning. There's also a 3-star Michelin restaurant. We stayed in Talloire and took boat trips into Annecy which was perfect.
Jul 8th, 2005, 08:27 AM
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linjudy, have a look here and tell me if you really think Dijon is not that nice!
http://www.ofoto.fr/BrowsePhotos.jsp...id=43499444733
and it is not that big either all my guests parked their car and loved to stroll around the ducal palace, the market, Notre Dame, St Benigne St Michel and I'm not sure Beaune has as many museums (if you like that of course!). there is also a free small bus to take you around (used by the dijonnais as well as tourists)
IMHO you can't compare those two cities. I do like Beaune and I think you have to visit both! (and all the small famous villages between them).
francophile03 said once : "Coco, you promote Dijon better than the Office de Tourisme!" ;-) I should be paid for that!
corinne
http://www.ofoto.fr/BrowsePhotos.jsp...id=43499444733
and it is not that big either all my guests parked their car and loved to stroll around the ducal palace, the market, Notre Dame, St Benigne St Michel and I'm not sure Beaune has as many museums (if you like that of course!). there is also a free small bus to take you around (used by the dijonnais as well as tourists)
IMHO you can't compare those two cities. I do like Beaune and I think you have to visit both! (and all the small famous villages between them).
francophile03 said once : "Coco, you promote Dijon better than the Office de Tourisme!" ;-) I should be paid for that!
corinne
Jul 8th, 2005, 08:30 AM
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Burgundy and the Rhône Valley are actually next to each other; southern Burgundy segues into the Rhône Valley. But I don't think you could see much of both in "a few nights;" that would just get you started on Burgundy.
Jul 8th, 2005, 09:00 AM
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Burgundy and the Rhone Valley are adjacent; we've visited them both during one trip, using Levernois (just outside of Beaune) as our Burgundy base and Tournon-sur-Rhone as our northern Rhone base.
In the northern Rhone region, in addition to the vineyards, you might enjoy visiting the Valrhona Chocolate factory (and store!) in Tain l'Hermitage. If you enjoy shoes and shoe shopping, check out Romans-sur-Isere.
And don't forget Lyon! We really just passed through, but I'm very interested in going back and devoting a trip to Lyon.
In the northern Rhone region, in addition to the vineyards, you might enjoy visiting the Valrhona Chocolate factory (and store!) in Tain l'Hermitage. If you enjoy shoes and shoe shopping, check out Romans-sur-Isere.
And don't forget Lyon! We really just passed through, but I'm very interested in going back and devoting a trip to Lyon.
Jul 8th, 2005, 11:11 AM
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Sorry, cocofromdijon, we enjoyed Dijon very much on our day trip there (and your pictures are beautiful). You're right there's more to do. We liked Beaune because it was charming, so easy to get around, and less traffic. I think both would make good base for Burgundy, depending on what you like to do!
Judy
Judy
Jul 9th, 2005, 12:32 AM
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No hard feelings Judy 
I'm always a bit sensitive about Dijon because I know a huge renovation has been made on most of the buildings and it looks so much nicer than before. It was so dark and dirty in my youth, with cars everywhere
now I really enjoy walking around and I can say I'm proud of what the town council achieved even if we have to pay more taxes...
thank you for the pictures
I'm always a bit sensitive about Dijon because I know a huge renovation has been made on most of the buildings and it looks so much nicer than before. It was so dark and dirty in my youth, with cars everywhere
now I really enjoy walking around and I can say I'm proud of what the town council achieved even if we have to pay more taxes...thank you for the pictures
Jul 9th, 2005, 12:43 AM
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Here's the URL of my web page on our trip to Burgundy and Champagne in 2001. Perhaps it can help you.
http://www.travel.stv77.com/burgundy/burgundy.html
http://www.travel.stv77.com/burgundy/burgundy.html
Jul 9th, 2005, 09:52 AM
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Beaune is lovely - we stopped for a day on our way to Provence from the Loire Valley a few years back. Do not miss the Hotel Dieu there - a hospice during the 100yrs War (sounds grim, but it's not at all - very beautiful). Marche aux Vins is great fun, an underground atmospheric wine tasting venue. For one price, you sample away for an hour with wine bottles set out on candlelit barrels that lead into a chapel (where the best stuff is) - you even keep the sampling cup. We had a great meal at Les Caves Madeleine. Enjoy!
Jul 9th, 2005, 09:58 AM
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Elle recently posted this:
In the northern Rhone region, in addition to the vineyards, you might enjoy visiting the Valrhona Chocolate factory (and store!) in Tain l'Hermitage. If you enjoy shoes and shoe shopping, check out Romans-sur-Isere.
In the northern Rhone region, in addition to the vineyards, you might enjoy visiting the Valrhona Chocolate factory (and store!) in Tain l'Hermitage. If you enjoy shoes and shoe shopping, check out Romans-sur-Isere.
Jul 9th, 2005, 03:54 PM
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Jul 11th, 2005, 08:24 AM
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Don't worry Crimmy, there always be someone who can speak English in Dijon and Beaune (not sure in small villages...) if you need help just ask me, if you want to preapre a listing or whatever I would be glad to help!
coco
(sun and heat are back!)
coco
(sun and heat are back!)
