Anniebanana

In Sept. we're flying into Geneva, renting a car and driving directly to a b & b in Massingis, Burgundy (about 1 hour west of Beaune). We'll spend 4 nights there and then 3 nights very near Beaune. I've pretty much figured out our time near Beaune.....wine, wine, WINE, but I'm struggling to put together an itinerary for the first 3 full days....Should we just meander through the countryside (always beautiful)? Could someone recommend special towns, particularly good restaurants....It seems everything is centered up and down the eastern part of Burgundy, but I know there is more. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. By the way, we love good food.
Thanks

spaarne

Your town Massingis is not even on my Michelin maps. How did you find that?

I suggest that you get a Michelin Green Guide Burgundy to make your plans. In the Beaune area you can drive up and down the N74 (now according to Google maps the D974 apparently) and take side roads to wineries or stores offering degustation.

<i>By the way, we love good food.</i>
You are going to the right place. Stop in any restaurant or auberge along the road. Try to control your emotions as you eat the best you've ever had. Have coq au vin and boeuf bourguignon for sure. The cheese board is always outstanding but if you have a sweet tooth you can go for the deserts.

bilboburgler

Auxerre, Chablis are up North in Burgundy, worth a day trip

rhon

I also cannot find a place with that spelling in my Michelin map book. Burgundy is one of our favourite areas of France, and there is lots to see. West of Beaune, of course, is Autun and the Morvan National Park. I agree that most people seem to head to the area around the Dijon/Beaune corridor which has lots. But we also really enjoy the region below Beaune -around Givry and the Maconnais region.Head down through lovely country to Cluny.Call in at St Gengoux le National, the chateau at Cormatin. Then there is the area to the north which has been mentioned.Depending where your B&B is , you could head up to Dijon, Vezelay,Abbaye de Fontenay, Flavigny[of Chocolat fame]. Once we have decided where we are going to stay [we stay in rentals], I then google everything in the area- towns, villages, natural features, anything I can think of, and it is surprising what you find. We just enjoy driving around and stopping where-ever. We love calling in at the charcuterie, boucherie, boulangerie in small towns.
You will have a great time.

Anniebanana

Thank you all for your helpful responses. We will be staying in Massangis...so sorry for the misspelling. I don't think we can make a mistake in Burgundy!

ira

Hi AB,

Did you mean Massingy?

If so, you are under 2 hr from Auxerre, Troyes, Fontenay Abbey,

Sue4

I spent 2 weeks driving around Burgundy a few years ago - absolutely loved it. It was in October and the weather, food, scenery and wine were superb! I stayed in several areas during the 2 weeks there, taking the train first to Dijon from Paris. Dijon was lovely for a couple of days, and has some great museums to see. Then I took a short train ride to Beaune for a few days, where I rented a car for the rest of trip.
I also loved the Maconnais area. I ended up in Auxerre (which is a most interesting town to visit). Northern Burgundy is gorgeous - don't miss Vezelay. To me, the food in Burgundy is best in France. Have a great trip!

FrenchMystiqueTours

There are beautiful areas right near you in Massangis so you don't need to go to eastern Burgundy near Beaune/Dijon to find beautiful countryside and charming villages. I highly recommend your visit nearby Avallon but esepcially Vézelay. I would also suggest you just get lost wandering some of the scenic roads south of Vézelay. You should also visit the two narny walled medieval towns of Noyers-sur-Serein and Semur-en-Auxois.

Other places you might consider could be Autun, Auxerre, Châteauneuf, Abbey de Fontenay, Châteaux of Commarin and Bussy-Rabutin or just getting lost wandering along the small country roads and passing through centuries old charming villages.

I think I know the B&B you are staying at in Massangis. I remember a while ago I responded to someone who was staying in Massangis in a nice B&B. I had recommended them one in the nearby village of Thizy but they went for Massangis. I've actually explored that region right where you are staying and there is some beautiful country scenery and charming villages to explore, both known and unknown and its right on your doorstep.

I have a trip report about exploring near Massangis that is full of photos and brief historical/anecdotal descriptions that might give you some ideas, such as Semur-en-Auxois and Noyers-sur-Serein and some charming nearby villages, including Flavigny-sur-Ozerain.

http://tinyurl.com/6dkeozh

Here are some other links you may find useful:

http://www.beaune-tourism.com/

www.road-of-the-fine-burgundy-wines.com/

http://www.burgundy-by-bike.com/

Just to aid you further here are links to tourist office websites for the towns and châteaux I just mentioned:

http://www.burgundy-visit.com/gb/index_gb.php

http://www.vezelaytourisme.com/

linternaute.com/sortir/…11.shtml

http://www.ville-semur-en-auxois.fr/

http://www.noyers-et-tourisme.com/

http://www.ot-auxerre.fr/

http://www.avallonnais-tourisme.com/

www.abbayedefontenay.com/abbayedefontenay.htm

http://www.commarin.com/

bussy-rabutin.monuments-nationaux.fr/fr/

I also suggest you get a Michelin map of that region and you want the one of the scale 1:200,000. This map will be invaluable in helping you find your way around and if you know how to read the map and its icons you can find some really great things. The Michelin maps have icons for all kinds of historically/touristically interesting things such as châteaux, ruins, churches, abbeys, scenic view points, caves, Roman sites, megaliths, designated scenic roads and many other things. Usually when I'm exploring various regions in France I just look at the map and I am able to plan interesting and scenic drives just reading the map. For instance, I usually look for a designated scenic road, which are highlighted in green, and I especially look for towns with the historic church and/or château icon. I also try to make sure the route goes through as many small villages as possible. Usually putting all these things together I find interesting and scenic drives without even knowing where I am going and with no assistance from a guide book. Often these places are never mentioned in guidebooks and remain completely unknown to many tourists.

You can buy the Michelin maps from their website and here is a link to the page that shows all of the maps of France. You want map number 519 for Bourgogne:

http://tinyurl.com/4bt96ev

If you decide to get lost south of Vézelay you'll be able to put together all the tips about reading the map and find a beautiful drive through areas most people probably don't know about.

MaineGG

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Doh

There's a very nice Michelin starred restaurant in a beautiful setting NW of Beaune at L'Abbaye de la Bussiere.

rhon

French Mystique has given good advice. Now I have found Massangis, I can picture the area and you will have no difficulty filling in your time. This is a lovely area of France. Noyers is a beautiful village. We bought a delicious Pruneau et Canard terrine from a charcuterie there. Semur en Auxios is close, and don't forget Epoisses- home of that fabulous cheese. South of Vezelay, we enjoyed a visit to the Chateau de Bazoches -home of Vauban. We have been to quite a few towns he fortified. Also the Abbaye de Fontenay and maybe Flavigny. So much to do and so little time. I am jealous!

iris1745

Just to add a few web sites to FMT'S extensive information. Richard www.burgundyeye.com www.burgundy-tourism.com

MarySteveChicago

Envious! In May we happened upon a wonderful auberge in Avallon (exit 22 via A6) called Auberge du Relais Fleuri and had a spectacular lunch. It's a lovely place with rooms to rent and an inviting pool. Your itinerary sounds great!

Anniebanana

Wow...wonderful recommendations. Thank you all so much...I'm looking at all the links now.

MarySteveChicago

Rereading your post you mention wine and good food. I highly recommend www.olivier-leflaive.com for lunch in charming Puligny Montrachet. Most of all, we loved le-jardin-des-remparts.com for its' food, stunning decor and wine list. A special treat there are the small artful between-course amuses they bring to the table. And we also liked Ma Cuisine very much for its' casualness but serious attention to food prep.

Piccolina

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