MileHacker Logo
Day Trips & Excursions

Day Trips & Excursions

Burgundy And The Rhone, France

Nearby Destinations

Several compelling destinations are within easy day-trip distance, each presenting a different facet of Burgundy.

Consider booking your day trips through GetYourGuide for convenience.

Dijon

  • Approximately 20-30 minutes by train or car north of Beaune. It is a larger city than Beaune, with an impressive ducal palace, home to the Fine Arts Museum. Dijon also boasts a bustling covered market, historic half-timbered houses, and a lively culinary scene focusing on mustard and gingerbread.
  • Frequent regional trains run directly from Beaune to Dijon. Driving is also easy via the A31 motorway. The city center is walkable, and self-guided walking tours (e.g., following the 'Owl's Trail') are available.
  • A full day is recommended to properly explore Dijon's main attractions, enjoy a meal, and wander its charming streets.
  • This is a great city for independent exploration.

Further Exploration

Expand your horizons with more unique destinations and experiences beyond the immediate vicinity of Beaune.

Nuits-Saint-Georges

Approximately 15-20 minutes by car north of Beaune, on the Côte de Nuits. This significant wine village, located in the Côte de Nuits sub-region, is known for its powerful Pinot Noir wines. It is smaller than Beaune but rich in wine history and opportunities for cellar visits and tastings.

Details

  • A car is recommended for flexibility to visit various domaines in Nuits-Saint-Georges and surrounding villages (Vosne-Romanée, Gevrey-Chambertin).
  • Focus on powerful and long-lived Pinot Noir wines.
  • Half-day to a full day, contingent on how many domaines you visit.

Meursault, Pommard, Volnay

All within 10-15 minutes by car or bike from Beaune. These are quintessential Côte de Beaune wine villages, each with distinct wine styles and charming character. Pommard is known for robust red wines, Volnay for elegant Pinot Noirs, and Meursault for rich Chardonnay.

Details

  • These villages are ideal for cycling from Beaune along the "Voie des Vignes" (Wine Route Cycle Path), which is mostly flat and scenic.
  • Each village presents a historic church, small squares, and numerous wine producers.
  • Half a day is sufficient for one or two villages, a full day for a relaxed pace.

Natural Escapes

Parc Naturel Régional du Morvan

  • This regional natural park, often called the "green lung" of Burgundy, features forests, rolling hills, lakes, and rivers.
  • Excellent for hiking, mountain biking, horse riding, and water activities on its lakes (e.g., Lac des Settons).
  • Access to Parc Naturel Régional du Morvan is approximately 1-1.5 hours drive west of Beaune. Independent exploration truly needs a car, as public transport is very limited within the park.
  • Explore a wilder landscape of forests, rolling hills, and lakes.

Chalon-sur-Saône

  • Approximately 20 minutes by train or car south of Beaune. This larger town on the Saône River is noteworthy as the birthplace of photography (Nicéphore Niépce).
  • Features a pleasant old town with a cathedral, museums, and a lively riverfront area.
  • Frequent TER trains connect Beaune directly to Chalon-sur-Saône. Driving is also a straightforward option.
  • Half a day is usually sufficient to explore the noteworthy features.

Tip

When planning day trips, especially to vineyards, consider hiring a driver or joining an organized tour if you plan on wine tasting. This enables enjoyment of wines safely and responsibly.

Cultural Excursions

Beyond Beaune's immediate attractions, significant historical and spiritual sites lie a short distance away.

Abbaye de Cîteaux

Approximately 20-30 minutes drive east of Beaune. This is the mother abbey of the Cistercian order, founded in 1098. It is a profoundly significant historical and spiritual site, representing the origins of one of the most influential monastic movements in medieval Europe. A community of Cistercian monks still lives and works there today.

Château du Clos de Vougeot

Approximately 30 minutes drive north of Beaune. This historic Cistercian wine estate serves as an emblem of Burgundian wine history. Founded by Cistercian monks in the 12th century, it is famous for its large press house and cellar. It symbolizes the deep connection between monastic life and winemaking in Burgundy.

Transportation Options

Accessing Abbaye de Cîteaux genuinely needs a car. The Château du Clos de Vougeot is recommended by car or as part of an organized wine tour of the Côte de Nuits.

Multi-Day Extensions

Burgundy's excellent transportation links present easy combinations with other appealing French regions for longer itineraries.

Recommendations 1-3 days

  • Lyon: Approximately 1.5-2 hours by car or train south. An ideal extension for food lovers, known for its gastronomy.
  • Paris: Approximately 1.5 hours by TGV from Dijon. The capital presents endless cultural, historical, artistic, and culinary attractions.
  • Alsace Wine Route (Strasbourg/Colmar): Approximately 3-4 hours by car or train. Explore another famous French wine region with a distinct cultural identity.

Logical Next Destinations

From Beaune, several directions open up for diverse travel experiences.

Suggested Routes

  • Burgundy to Rhône Valley (via Lyon): Explore Burgundy's Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, then head south to Lyon for gastronomy, and continue into the Rhône Valley for powerful Syrah and Grenache wines.
  • Burgundy to Alsace: Combine two distinct French wine regions, contrasting Burgundy's terroir-driven wines with Alsace's aromatic whites and charming villages.
  • Burgundy to Loire Valley: Travel west to the Loire Valley for its châteaux, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chenin Blanc wines.

Note for Nature Lovers

  • Jura Mountains: East of Burgundy, adjacent to Switzerland. For nature lovers and cheese enthusiasts, the Jura presents beautiful landscapes, excellent hiking, and unique local cheeses (e.g., Comté).
  • Visiting the Morvan Regional Natural Park genuinely needs a car for independent exploration, as public transport is very limited within the park.
  • All these suggested extensions are well-connected by France's excellent train network (TGV for high-speed connections and TER for regional travel). Driving also offers flexibility for multi-region trips.

Getting Around Safely

Planning your excursions with safety and enjoyment as priorities.

Hiring a Driver or Tour

If you plan on wine tasting during your day trips to vineyards, consider hiring a driver or joining an organized tour.

Benefits

  • This enables everyone in your group to safely enjoy the wines.
  • Local drivers and guides often possess deep knowledge of the region and its vineyards.
  • They can arrange exclusive visits and tastings at smaller domaines.

Public Transportation

For destinations like Dijon and Chalon-sur-Saône, France's excellent train network (TER) offers direct and comfortable connections.

Train Travel

  • Frequent regional trains connect Beaune efficiently to nearby cities.
  • Tickets are available at train stations or online.
  • Once in a city like Dijon, the city center is easily walkable from the train station.

Cycling the Wine Route

The "Voie des Vignes" (Wine Route Cycle Path) is mostly flat and scenic, ideal for exploring nearby wine villages like Meursault, Pommard, and Volnay.

Cycling Tips

  • Bicycle rentals, including e-bikes, are available in Beaune.
  • The path presents clear signage.
  • Consider packing a picnic from Beaune's market for a lunch amidst the vineyards.

Driving Independence

A car offers the most flexibility for reaching more remote sites like Abbaye de Cîteaux or exploring the scattered domaines of the Côte de Nuits.

Car Rental Advice

  • Book car rentals in advance, especially during peak season.
  • Be mindful of local traffic laws and parking regulations.
  • GPS navigation works well in Burgundy.

Maximizing Your Time

Combine different modes of transport for varied experiences and to suit your itinerary.

Group Tours

Joining a small group tour for wine regions like Côte de Nuits can be cost-effective and educational, with dedicated transportation.

Guided Excursions

Look for guided excursions that cover multiple points of interest, like a combination of vineyards and historic sites.

Self-Guided Exploration

For cities like Dijon, self-guided exploration via train is straightforward and enjoyable, offering flexibility.

Travel Companions

If traveling with a group, coordinating transportation and booking in advance will better the experience.
← Previous
Activities & Experiences
← Back to Beaune
Next →
Practical Information

Next Up: Practical Information

Continue to Practical Information