Connoisseurs flock to Burgundy to sample some of the most celebrated wines in the world. But this picturesque region of France, with its luxurious chateaus, quaint medieval villages, and breathtaking countryside, offers so much more. 

We'll meet in Paris and begin our trip by taking a train down to the city of Dijon. Most Americans associate Dijon only with mustard, however, this city was seat to the Dukes of Burgundy from the early 11th until the late 15th century. As a result, Dijon was a place of tremendous wealth and power and one of the great European centers of art and learning. We’ll have time to explore Dijon’s market and old historic center. We’ll also depart from here to visit the beautiful Vézelay Basilica and well-preserved Fontenay Abbey, both UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Next, we’ll spend seven days in the southern part of Burgundy (the wine-growing region!) at our very own Chateau Montsymond, where you’ll feel like royalty with all breakfasts and multi-course dinners prepared by our two dedicated private chefs. There you can enjoy bike rides, billiards, table tennis, Pétanque, poker, chess, board games, cards, the heated salt water pool, steam room, or sauna. Or feel free to nap or curl up with a good book…you’re on vacation!

The Château will be our launching point for touring some of the area’s most important medieval castles, churches, and monuments. And no trip to Burgundy would be complete without sampling the region’s wine and food. We’ll visit a nearby vineyard, spend a morning at an outdoor market, indulge in a Michelin star lunch, and engage in a private cellar tour and wine tasting with our Château’s owner, Christophe Gay, a notable collector and connoisseur. Next, we’ll visit Lyon, named, along with Dijon, as one of the four principle gastronomic centers of France. We’ll end our trip in Paris.

Day 1:

Plan to arrive into Paris by mid-morning. We’ll then train down to Dijon as a group and enjoy a special welcome dinner together. Overnight in Dijon at the Hotel des Ducs.

Day 2:

Breakfast at hotel. Day trip that includes visits to two UNESCO World Heritage sites: the Basilica of Vézelay and Fontenay Abbey. Group lunch and, time permitting, visit the Chateau d’Ancy. Dinner as a group in Dijon. Overnight in Dijon.

Day 3:

Breakfast at hotel. Morning walking tour of Dijon. Lunch and afternoon on your own. Afternoon transfer from Dijon to our countryside home for the next seven days: the lovely Chateau Montsymond. Dinner and overnight at the Chateau.

Day 4:

Breakfast at the Chateau. Today we visit the town of  Beaune, its UNESCO listed Hospices (medieval hospital), Notre Dame Cathedral and Dali's sculpture court. After lunch we’ll do a nearby vineyard visit and wine tasting before returning to yet another multi-course dinner prepared by Chef Raphael at the Chateau Montsymond. Overnight at the Chateau.

Day 5:

Day of leisure at the Chateau, with breakfast, lunch and dinner provided. Overnight at the Chateau.

Day 6:

Early morning departure for Louhans to experience its outdoor market and explore the town. Group lunch before our private cellar tour and wine tasting with the Chateau’s owner, Christophe Gay. Dinner and overnight at the Chateau.

Day 7:

Breakfast at the Château. Transfer to Tournus. Visit St. Philibert Abbey followed by lunch with wine at the Michelin star Aux Terrasse. Visit the medieval Brancion castle, and the nearby village and church of Chapaize. Dinner and overnight at the Château.

Day 8:

Breakfast at the Château. Today we’ll visit the lovely Château de Cormatin and its gardens, the town and abbey of Cluny, and the Berzé-le-Châtel castle. Overnight at the Château.

Day 9:

Day of leisure at the Chateau, with breakfast, lunch and dinner provided, as well as either a 60-minute Swedish or deep tissue massage. Overnight at the Chateau.

Day 10:

Breakfast at the Chateau, then transfer to Lyon, considered the gastronomic capitol of France. We’ll train back to Paris from here for our farewell dinner. Overnight in Paris at the Mayfair Hotel.

Day 11:

Morning departure or optional additional day and overnight in Paris through Sunday.