So we decided, five days before departure, to cancel our planned trip to Italy because of the bad weather. Our last trip to France (Normandy in June 2015) made us curious to other French regions. I wanted mountains, and found Auvergne. Burgundy on our way there: wine for The Boyfriend. The ideal holiday for both of us!
We stayed two nights in Beaune, gateway to Côte de Beaune, part of Côte d’Or – names that tickle the imagination, regions that produce the famous Burgundy wines.
Beaune is the heart of the region, a lively touristic centre that was able to keep its Medieval charm: cosy restaurants, keenly renovated buildings, and wine bars everywhere. Everywhere!
The walls of Hôtel-Dieu hide one of the most beautiful (non-religious) gothic buildings, but in order to see it, you have to buy a ticket (7 or 8 euro) to visit the accompanying museum. Maybe next time, if we have more time.
Food & drinks
There is a wine bar at every tenth step, and even though the town isn’t big, there are a lot of restaurants too, one better then the other of course. We entered the first wine bar we stumbled upon, begin Chez Maurice.
We meant to taste a light aperitif and a good glass of wine, but the plat mixte was a little bit larger then expected, with yummie salami and cheese and bread. On a following occasion we should increase our budget (and preferably win the lottery) so we can spend the night in the luxury apartments of Maurice.
We reserved a table at Chez Richard, located in neighbouring village Meursault. The kitchen is simple but o so good; here you get value for money.
Our second night we ate at Piqu’Boeuf, a meat restaurant in the city centre. Too much money for the meat you get, if I have to be honest; they pretend to be chic, but the entree did not seem to be fresh, I ate better meat (and properly baked, this was too raw) and the cheese plate was even more expensive than in Belgium although France is famous for its cheese.
Airbnb
We stayed in the apartment of Eloise, who left town. (Airbnb as it was meant to be: rent your apartment while you are away.) So clean and spacious and bright! One of the best places we ever stayed in at Airbnb. Bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, big living room, a cosy balcony in the morning sun, parking lot, just outside the city centre.
We paid 195 euro for two nights, including cleaning and service costs.
From the mountains 