Come for the mustard and wine and stay for everything else
The first time we visited Beaune, we stayed in a cute Airbnb in the middle of a tiny little village. When I would walk the dog in the morning I would expect Belle to open her window and start singing at me. It was that cute. There was one tiny little shop with fresh bread, a post office and several wineries.
Wine is life here, there are vineyards everywhere and tasting opportunities abound. Many if not most of the vineyards in the area our family run. That was the case at the vineyard that we visited for a tasting right down the street from our Airbnb. It was Domaine Bertillon. We had a private tasting in the cellar with an array of tasty homemade snacks and tasted five different wines. The winetasting was done by the winemaker himself who is lovely.
We enjoyed ourselves so much on that visit to Beaune, that has become a place that we have gone back to over and over again. Often we stay at the Mercure Beaune Centre. It is pet friendly, has a lovely restaurant, pool and is affordable. There is a beautiful walk and park right across the street that is great for all.
In Old Beaune, you will find charming shops, beautiful architecture, and delicious restaurants. Beef bourguignon is from this area and I highly recommend eating it every chance you get with a glass of Pinot Noir. Escargot is also from here, for an excuse to have a glass of Chardonnay.
There are great hikes and biking trails in the area. The Voie does Vines is a bike trail between Beaune and Santenay. Or check out www.Beaune-tourism.com/discover/nature-hiking for ideas. You can also explore the Grands Cru route by car.
If you visit in Summer, check out the Beaune Cote Plage for swimming, a “beach” and water activities. Just remember that boys/men need proper French swimming attire.
Just about 30 minutes from Beaune is Dijon and it is definitely worth a visit. A good way to get to see a bit of Dijon is to walk the Owl Trail. Just watch the ground for small brass owls on the pavement and they will lead the way. The trail will take you through the city”s highlights including a walk through the botanical gardens. All ages will enjoy.
Don’t forget to stop at Maille’s mustard shop and stock up on one of their unique mustards. They have all different kinds to sample!
