Hi,

Was wondering if someone could give us
advice!
We are planning on going to Dijon for 3-4 days, and were wondering what kind of activities we could do?
We probably would want to spend a day in Dijon itself, and then explore towns around it, visit wineries, some historical places, castles, etc...Any advice on where to go?
Can we stay in Dijon and do day trips on a train or should we stay in some other towns?

Thank you!
-Ann

Coco? Cocofromdijon is a good source of info and even has a flat that she rents.

I just was at Dijon. Lovely historic center. Convenient walk from historic center to train station.

Great walking tour of the sights called the Owl Trail. The best self-guided walking tour I have ever taken. I was there on a Sunday, so not much open, but looked like it had some great shops and I loved the Musee des Beaux Arts. I wanted to see the Musee Magnin, but just not enough time in one day.

I didn't travel outside Dijon. I was really on my way through. Are you renting a car or taking a train? I must say, that after traveling through Burgundy by train, I would love to see more by car.

By all means contact Coco (Corinne Jacquin) for information on Dijon and the surrounding country. She has a world of information to share, plus she is a charming lady. The website for her flat is: http://www.myhomeindijon.com/. The site has a lot of other information and links that I think you would find helpful in planning your visit.

Have a wonderful trip!

Dijon or Beaune could serve as a base. I used to stay half way between in Nuit-St-Georges for my semi-annual wine buying expeditions from Germany.

I recommend a car for this area. Drive the N74 between Dijon and Beaune and then into the little wine villages off the N74. Get a Michelin map for the area and a vineyard map in any bookstore. Drive around and taste and buy at any store displaying a degustation sign. It doesn't have to be a vineyard, in fact it's easier to do from stores that are not vineyards. My favorite Burgindy wine is Passetoutgrains, a blend of pinot noir and gamay grapes.

Great food throughout this area. Lunch is a better value.

Get your mustard in Dijon. There is a centrally located store which also sells mustard pots and the mustard by the kilogram.

Try the Mustard!

Thanks everyone!
We would prefer to go by train, have enough driving in the US
Looks like the smaller towns are only
accesible by local trains, can we buy tickets on-line for those? or is it fine to get them right from the ticket
counter, how long in advance should we do that?

Thanks!
Ann

Hi ann, there are also local buses which take you along the wine road. You should try bus 44. (from the bus station near the train station)
http://www.cotedor.fr/jahia/webdav/s...es_Transco.pdf

There is also a small train driving from Gevrey Chambertin to Chambolle Musigny in 50min. It's called l'Escargot de la Côte and you can taste wine at the end of the trip. I don't know when you'll be in Burgundy because that kind of train is not all year round.
Here are the links where you can find this one and some others.
http://www.bourgogne-tourisme.com/fl...uesCOMPLET.pdf

http://www.bourgogne-tourisme.com/fl...insaMoteur.pdf
Welcome to Burgundy and on fodors forum where you can see there are very nice members!

ttt

Coco, thanks a lot for the schedules, it sure is helpful. We are plnning on coming to Dijon area at the first week of June, hopefully l'Escargot de la Côte train is running then. I was reading that the best thing to do if we want to have wine tasting is to contact wineries themseleves. Any advice on this?

Thanks a lot!
Ann

Ann, as soon as you can see "dégustation" on a winery you can pop in and taste wines, no problem. It can be a small shop or a castle like le Château de Meursault for ex.

Thanks to Coco, I discovered the little train "L'Escargot de la Côte" too. It looks like a perfect way to explore the vineyards, it departs from Chambolle Musigny and goes all the way to Gevrey Chambertin.

However, it is better to phone or email them to make sure the train will be running. I email them <[email protected]>, and they say a reservation is necessary. Though they say there is usually a train running at 3pm on most Saturdays and Sundays.

The person I spoke to is call Grégoire Japiot. He is very nice, he even offered to arrange a tasting visit with one of the winemakers who sell their wines in their cellar. Here is a list of the wines available in their cellars. <http://chambolle-musigny.chez-alice....eauEN.html>

I'll be going in May, hopefully the weather will be nice enough so that I can take the train too!

merci leelee for the info, I can see you're still working hard on your trip!
See you end of may !