The Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Region

7th stop on our region trip: do you know the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region? Let me give you a few little examples: good wine, good cheese, good charcuterie, breathtaking landscapes, historic monuments and outdoor activities.

So, fancy exploring? I knew it! Off we go!

First stop: history

Many towns and villages are brimming with history and monuments. Sadly we can't mention them all, so we've tried (as best we could) to put together a small selection for you. First of all, and very well known, there's the Hospice de Beaune and the Hôtel-Dieu. They are genuine architectural gems and you absolutely must visit them if you're in the area. In the same vein, there's Semur-en-Auxois. It's an unmissable village! You'll find château life just as it used to be, medieval bridges and, not to be missed, a visit to the Notre-Dame collegiate church. In the same spirit, we can tell you about Cluny, a charming little village. Do climb to the top of the cheese tower! 120 steps of effort, but a 360° panoramic view as your reward. Vézelay will also live up to every promise. It holds the label of most beautiful village in France and is also a pilgrimage starting point on the Santiago de Compostela route. Finally, because we'd rather give you a quality list than a long one, we'll travel to Flavigny-sur-Ozerain for our last village. It's a very well preserved historic village. You can visit it on your own or on a guided tour. We'd also recommend visiting the Maison du Donataire as well as the church of Saint-Genest.

Second stop: the monuments

First of all, we'd suggest heading to the Roche de Solutré. It's a rather out-of-the-ordinary landmark, for those of us used to visiting the remains of buildings. What's to be discovered here is one of the oldest prehistoric sites in Europe. It's the starting point for many walking trails. We (strongly) encourage you to taste the white wine that comes from the region, Pouilly-Fuissé. Next, if you like castles, you must visit the Château de Guédelon. It's one of a kind! It looks nothing like what we might call a castle, and yet it is a 13th-century fortified castle. The full visit will take you around 4 hours. Yes indeed, there's plenty to discover! You'll also find many abbeys and basilicas in the region, such as the Basilica of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine and the basilica of Vézelay. They can be visited and mass is held there every day.

Third stop: activities out in nature

The Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region is rich in every respect. And nature is certainly no exception! On its own it boasts a mountain massif, the Vosges, a mountain range, the Jura, and a huge nature park, the Morvan, right in the centre of the region.

What is there to do there, you must be wondering. Well, there's no shortage of activities, quite the opposite.

For fans of water activities, the place to head for is the Morvan nature park. Between rafting on the Chalaux, canoraft on the Cure or even a night-time canoe and kayak descent, it's fair to say you'll be spoilt for choice! And if you're in the park, you really mustn't miss the Saut de Gouloux. It's an unspoilt waterfall deep in the forest and it never fails to impress. And of course, for keen walkers, many trails are accessible. Among the best known are the G13, the Route des Crêtes and the walk that leads to Lac des Settons. Then, for those who prefer the snow, once again you won't be disappointed! The Vosges massif and the Jura have a lot to offer. We're thinking in particular of the hill of Notre-Dame du Haut in the Vosges, or the Cascade des Tufs at Arbois, very often named the most beautiful waterfall in France, in the Jura. Do also take the time to visit the Vallée du Hérisson, it's nearby and makes for a lovely family outing to plan in.

Last stop: its big cities and its food

What would our article on the Burgundy region be if we didn't talk about Dijon! Well known as the mustard capital, Dijon holds plenty of other secrets. First and right at the top of our list is the Owl's Trail. In our view it's the best way to discover Dijon. It's a walking route that takes you through every district of the city, with a stop at the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy as well as at the fine arts museum. It takes about an hour to complete the whole thing. And finally, while you're there, take the opportunity to discover its Gothic cathedral and its science and biodiversity garden.

But also, and by no means least, in the region you can visit: Auxerre, Nevers, or Belfort and Besançon. I admit it, I've saved the tastiest part of the article, no pun intended, for the end. Let's talk food! We've already advised you to taste the region's white wine. Don't stop there. Take the time to savour a good bœuf bourguignon, you're in the region where it was born! Then, I think you already know this, but it's so good that we'll remind you. You're in a region known and recognised for its cheeses and its traditional charcuterie. Spare a thought for the StyQR team while you're tasting!

And to finish in style, for those who want to go further, you can follow the Route des Grands Crus. In a few quick figures to set your taste buds racing, that's 9 grands crus and 26 premiers crus to taste along 60 km, through 37 villages and 2 towns. So? Go for it and enjoy yourselves! Our tour of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region ends here. I hope you enjoyed this article and that it has made you want to discover more. See you very soon in a new region. In the meantime, don't forget to update your welcome book!