Burgundy
LANDSCAPE
This is very varied and there is something for all tastes. The area
around Beaune is flat, with many interesting waterways, including
the famous ‘Canal de Bourgogne’. To the west is the Côte d’Or
and the Arrière Côte, both covered in vineyards, with little space
for anything else! Further west are the vast open spaces, forests,
hills and lakes of the Morvan national park. Westwards towards
the Loire are the woods and farmlands of the lesser known, but
very attractive Nièvre region. Moving south there are two hilly
areas; the Mâconnais hills, gently rolling along the side of the river
Saône, to the south west, the fine range of Beaujolais hills.
LEISURE AND SPORT
As in most areas of France, sport and leisure is fairly well developed for the
local inhabitants. But there are also lakes for water sports and swimming,
particularly in the north west (the Parc de Morvan has well organised
facilities). Fishing, bicycling and walking are popular pastimes.
FESTIVALS
Mid May at Mâcon – the National Wine Fair.July – Festival of the ‘Nuits de
Bourgogne’.1st Sunday in every month in Charolles – Folklore festival. August
in Cluny Abbey – music recitals. September at Dijon – vineyard fête, international
festival of folklore.
HISTORY AND ARCHITECTURE
The Romanesque architecture of Burgundy is probably the finest in France,
with such names as Vézelay, Fontenay, Tournus, Cluny and many others. There
are many interesting Gothic churches in the area and the famous Hospice de
Beaune built in the 14th century.
CLIMATE
This area enjoys a conti-nental climate. Being rather cold in winter,
it can become very hot mid-summer. Like most regions of rural France,
the early summer and autumn are warm and sunny with the advantage
of fewer tourists
FOOD AND WINE
Dijon and Lyon are the two cities in France most famous for their good
food; the area between the two has a very high standard of gastronomy,
along with what Burgundians will tell you are undoubtedly the best wines
to be found anywhere in the world. Burgundy maintains a great reputation
for its cuisine; fine poultry, charollais beef, game from th Morvan, snails,
fruit and vegetables. Wine, of course, goes into the classic “boeuf bourguignon”.
Ham, too, may be braised in wine or prepared as “jambon persillé”.
There are various pastries and tarts, whilst meringues, macaroons and nougatines also come from the province. Dijon is celebrated for its mustard and
“crème de cassis”.