📍 France

BURGUNDY ESSENCE: CATHEDRALS, WINE AND MEDIEVAL VILLAGES

Basilicas soaring skyward, stone villages tucked into valleys, terraced vineyards, mustard scent floating in the air. Burgundy, deeply rooted.

≈ 15
Days
553
Km
14
Stops
📖 8 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Discover spiritual and heritage Burgundy. Climb Vézelay hill, wander Dijon's historic center, cross Noyers-sur-Serein and its half-timbered houses, and feel the interweaving of sacred, craft and vineyard.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Cravant

village burgundy wine heritage

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4 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
Saint-Étienne Cathedral of Sens: Gothic nave and treasury
2
Old Sens: half-timbered houses and quays of the Yonne
3
Historic center of Auxerre: urban walk
4
Saint-Germain Abbey of Auxerre: crypt and museum
+1 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
Stroll along the quays of the Yonne in Auxerre
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 63 km
Travel time: 55min
2
Day

Saint Pere Vezelay

basilica valley sacred pilgrimage

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10 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
Caves of Arcy-sur-Cure: underground tour (reservations recommended)
2
Basilica of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine of Vézelay: visit of the chevet and nave
3
Village of Vézelay: alleyways and ramparts
4
Château de Bazoches: Vauban's residence
+2 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
Panorama of the Morvan from the esplanade of Vézelay
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 21 km
Travel time: 25min
3
Day

Avallon

fortified town granite river

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4 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Old town of Avallon: ramparts and half-timbered houses
2
Tour de l'Horloge of Avallon: climb and viewpoint
3
Collégiale Saint-Lazare: sculpted portal
🎯

Activities

→
Panoramic route on the viewpoints of Avallon
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 33 km
Travel time: 35min
4
Day

Noyers Sur Serein

half-timber village burgundy charm

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6 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
Biscuiterie de Bourgogne (Joux-la-Ville): gourmet stop
2
Noyers-sur-Serein: medieval circuit within the walls
3
Remains of Noyers castle: viewpoint over the Serein valley
🎯

Activities

→
Walk along the Serein quays in Noyers
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 126 km
Travel time: 1h25
5
Day

Beaune

wine market historic cellars

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9 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
Ouche Valley Railway (Bligny-sur-Ouche): tourist train
2
Hospices de Beaune: main courtyard and glazed roofs
3
Old center of Beaune: ramparts and belfry
🎯

Activities

→
Wine tasting in cellar in Beaune (without brand mention)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 45 km
Travel time: 50min
6
Day

Dijon

mustard ducal city heart

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5 photos
Day 6
🔍

Discover

1
Route des Grands Crus between Beaune and Dijon: panoramic stops
2
Heritage stop at Château de Pommard (exteriors and vineyard)
3
Cassisium (Nuits-Saint-Georges): blackcurrant museum space
4
Dijon: Palace of the Dukes and Place de la Libération
+1 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
Owl Trail (self-guided) in Dijon
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 61 km
Travel time: 1h10
7
Day

Chateauneuf En Auxois

fortress village burgundy hilltop

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6 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
Lake Kir (Dijon beach): lakeside walk
2
Snail farm in Vernot: discovery of snail farming (exterior/explanations)
3
Hilltop village of Châteauneuf-en-Auxois: keep and narrow streets
4
Lake Grosbois-en-Montagne: beach and shoreline trail
🎯

Activities

→
Viewpoint over the Burgundy Canal from the heights
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 34 km
Travel time: 31min
8
Day

Semur En Auxois

burgundy loop river fortress

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6 photos
Day 8
🔍

Discover

1
Château d'Époisses: park and exteriors
2
Semur-en-Auxois: ramparts, Pinard bridge and towers
🎯

Activities

→
Walk along the Armançon in Semur
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 20 km
Travel time: 24min
9
Day

Montbard

forge town industrial heritage

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5 photos
Day 9
🔍

Discover

1
Fontenay Abbey (UNESCO): cloister, church and gardens
🎯

Activities

→
Landscape trail around Fontenay Abbey
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 27 km
Travel time: 30min
10
Day

Ancy Le Franc

renaissance chateau burgundy jewel

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7 photos
Day 10
🔍

Discover

1
Renaissance Castle of Ancy-le-Franc: facades and main courtyard
2
Canal de Bourgogne at Ancy-le-Franc: lock and towpath
🎯

Activities

→
Walk along the canal (short round trip)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 19 km
Travel time: 25min
11
Day

Tonnerre

medieval town hospital history

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3 photos
Day 11
🔍

Discover

1
Fosse Dionne (Tonnerre): circular karst spring
2
Hôtel-Dieu de Tonnerre: great hall and timber framework
🎯

Activities

→
Heritage trail in the center of Tonnerre
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 17 km
Travel time: 20min
12
Day

Chablis

white wine limestone hillsides

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4 photos
Day 12
🔍

Discover

1
Local wine museum (Vinéa Passion) in Chablis: discovery of terroirs
2
Tour through the Chablis vineyards: viewpoints over the hillsides
🎯

Activities

→
Introduction to wine tasting (Chablis appellations) without brand names mentioned
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 56 km
Travel time: 1h
13
Day

Joigny

tower town burgundy gateway

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5 photos
Day 13
🔍

Discover

1
Scenic route between Saint-Florentin and Migennes: landscapes of Yonne
2
Old town of Joigny: half-timbered houses and churches
3
Banks of the Yonne in Joigny: walk
🎯

Activities

→
Self-guided heritage tour in Joigny
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 31 km
Travel time: 35min
14
Day

Sens

cathedral burgundy northern anchor

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3 photos
Day 14
🔍

Discover

1
Closing loop: final tour through the historic center of Sens
🎯

Activities

→
Purchase of local products at a local market (according to schedule)

🗺️ Itinerary map

🗺️ Nearby itineraries

SECRET BURGUNDY: 15 CHARACTER VILLAGES IN LOGICAL SEQUENCE

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NORTHERN BURGUNDY

📅 11 days 🛣️ 346.50000000000006 Km

MORVAN HILLS AND DUCAL HERITAGE

📅 11 days 🛣️ 450 Km

🛡️ Travel advice - France

Check official recommendations

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❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Spring (April-June): Perfect weather, blooming countryside, ideal for all regions, moderate crowds, excellent value, romantic atmosphere.

Summer (July-August): Warmest weather, peak tourist season, highest prices, crowded attractions, perfect for Mediterranean coast, festival season.

Fall (September-October): Harvest season, comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, wine regions spectacular, excellent photography, good value.

Winter (November-March): Christmas markets, ski season Alps, fewer crowds, lowest prices, cozy indoor attractions, cultural experiences.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 12 and 18 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in France?

Cultural capital with incredible cuisine, world-famous attractions, and diverse regions from Paris to Provence. Experience artistic heritage, wine culture, and sophisticated lifestyle. The country offers excellent infrastructure with cultural depth and culinary excellence. France provides complete cultural experiences with historical significance and modern sophistication in easily accessible destination.