Burgundy Gastronomy : Trails for food lovers

In the Yonne you can discover Auxerre (External link) and the picturesque villages surrounding it, such as Saint-Bris-le-Vineux or Irancy. When you visit the wine cellars of Bailly, they will tell you all about the sparkling wines of Burgundy, or crémants. Further east, the famous Chablis (External link) enjoys a worldwide reputation. The local speciality is andouillette sausage, whose spicy flavours are a perfect match for the local white wine.
Further east again, when you visit the Canal de Bourgogne you can admire the sloping hillsides of the Tonnerrois, which face south and produce classic wines such as Epineuil or Molosmes.
Head north and you can sample the cider from the Pays d’Othe. The famous Burgundy snails (External link) are prepared in fine butter in the Jovinien. Cheese lovers should be sure not to miss the chance of tasting a Soumaintrain or Saint-Florentin.

Explore the rolling landscapes of the Puisaye in the Nevers region. Take the opportunity to buy a Puisaye capon raised exclusively for Christmas. At Toucy you can stroll through the market and allow yourself to be tempted by the tasty fromages frais cheeses or fresh cheeses.
Further north, where the Loire turns towards the ocean, you can taste the AOC Pouilly-Fumé. This is a region that definitely has no shortage of specialities! On the slopes of the Coteaux du Giennois, you can discover the white Sauvignon wines, and not far away, in Sancerre, you can taste the AOC Crottin de Chavignol. If you have a sweet tooth you will find Négus – chocolate caramel sweets – in Nevers.
As you travel through the Morvan, the green lung of Burgundy, you can’t miss the local charcuterie and the Morvan honey, which is harvested solely from wild flower species.

In Saône-et-Loire you can admire the landscapes and architecture that are so typical of the region. The Charolais beef produced around Charolle is known all over the world and much appreciated by gourmets: this bright red meat is distinguished by its flavour and tenderness.
On the hills of the Mâcon region and Beaujolais, to the south of Burgundy, you can taste the AOC Pouilly-Fuissé and Saint-Vérand produced from the Chardonnay grape. Further south again you can discover the Beaujolais appellations such as Saint-Amour. Slip away and admire the vineyards from the Rock of Solutré.
There are also some great names on the Côte chalonnaise: Rully, Mercurey, Givry, Montagny, Bouzeron - the Côte chalonnaise and its famous village appellations are very varied. Follow the Grands Vins tourist route to discover the secrets of this terroir.
Visit the Maison de la Volaille in Branges, at the heart of Bresse, and you will be able to buy your chicken, capon, fattened hen or turkey. Gourmets appreciate Bresse poultry for its abundant, juicy meat.

Visit Dijon (External link) , the city of gastronomy par excellence. The city is famous worldwide for its mustard but this is not the only local product, so go into one of the shops selling regional specialities (External link) and let yourself be tempted by the gingerbread or cassis. The people of Burgundy have put their regional products together over the years, such as the famous “Kir” (made from Aligoté de Bourgogne and cassis) or poulet Gaston Gérard (Bresse chicken accompanied by a mustard sauce).
Relax! Patience is required in the Val de Saône, where fishing is a passion. Go through the door of a restaurant on the riverbank and you will be able to sample the local fried fish.
If you leave the A6 motorway close to Beaune (External link) , you can discover the Côte-d’Or and its succession of villages with such well-known names as Pernand-Vergelesses, Pommard, Chassagne-Montrachet, Maranges, etc. When the wine auction is taking place at the Hospices de Beaune, you can also enjoy the wine fair that brings the whole town to life.

The Côte de Nuits, south of Dijon, brings together the Cité des Ducs and the Côte de Beaune. Follow the route of the Grands Crus and admire the famous Château du Clos de Vougeot. Visit a wine grower or a cellar and give your senses a treat when you taste the great names of the Côte: Musigny, la Tâche, Echezeaux, etc.
Maybe you like walking? Then why not discover the Hautes-Côtes parallel to the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits, where nature is wilder. The Voie des Vignes cycle trail winds for 20 km along the wine route from Beaune to Santenay.
To try a piece of Époisses cheese, head for the Auxois to the north of the Côte-d’Or. Take the opportunity to make a detour to the Châtillonnais: you won’t be able to resist the fruity bubbles of the Crémant de Bourgogne. Real gastronomes will enjoy walking through the streets of Flavigny-sur-Ozerain, which smell of the famous Anis de Flavigny.