Burgundy and Lyon Areas

While the name of Burgundy conjures up masterpieces of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance in the minds of art lovers, for all gourmets it is the synonym for good wine. The wines of Burgundy are really some of the finest in the world and their fame is universal. The vineyards cover 15,172 acres of land. The average annual production is 40,000,000 gallons. The first vines were introduced at the time of the roman conquest. But it was mainly in the middle ages that the clearing of the forests and the work of the Cistercian monks brought about the transformation of lands received as gifts by the religious communities into vineyards. The Clos Vougeot vine-growing land was created in the 12th century. Sun King Louis XIV preferred the Cotes de Nuit and Napoleon always had a bottle of Chambertin, even on the battlefields. It is a wealthy region. It was a center of medieval religious faith that produced Romanesque masterpieces at Vezelay, Fontenay and Cluny. The region is easily accessible from Paris. ( 1h15 by train)

Dijon

Close to some of the finest vineyards, and known as the Capital Gastronomic du Monde, this former capital city of the Dukes of Burgundy offers a remarkable artistic heritage.
Aside from its busy pedestrian shopping area, the center of Dijon is noted for its architectural splendor, a legacy from the Dukes of Burgundy. Wealthy parliament members also had elegant mansions built in the 17th-18th centuries. The city's great art treasures are housed in the Ducal Palace. The city is also famous for its mustard.

Beaune

The old center snug within its ramparts is easy to explore. Its undisputable treasure is the "Hotel-Dieu'. Founded as an Hospice in the 15th century after the hundred years war, its architecture is of Flemish style. Today, it is considered as a medieval jewel with its superb multi-colored Burgundy roof tiles. The Museum of Burgundy wines is displaying all the traditional wine-making equipments.

Lyon

Two millennia of history and a location at the meeting point of the Rhone and Saone rivers have combined to make Lyon France's second city. The medieval and Renaissance quarter of old Lyon extends along the bank of the Saone river. The historic Museum of Fabrics, aside from it exhibits devoted to early examples of the weavers'art, has a collection which consists mostly of Lyons silk from the 17th century onward, by masters such as Lasalle.
Most of the French associate Lyon with gourmet restaurants, from the 'bouchon" bistro type to some of the most opulent tables in France, like Paul Bocuse.

Vienne

Famous for its great roman public buildings like temple of August and arenas.

Perouges

This fortified village with tortuous streets and ancient houses tightly contained within its ramparts, is a perfect setting for a period film.

European Group Tours