Article written by Elisa - Travel Writer & Local in France
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Visit Burgundy, France
Burgundy, France (Bourgogne in French) is a historical region located in Eastern France, today part of the new Bourgogne-Franche Comté region.
Burgundy’s capital is Dijon, one of the most beautiful French cities to visit and with many interesting things to see and do. The region is divided into four departments: Yonne (89), Côte d’Or (21), Nièvre (58), and Saône-et-Loire (71).
The Burgundy wine region produces some of the most exclusive wines throughout the world and also the most expensive. The region is also known for its extraordinary historical heritage of French castles, medieval abbeys, and fairytale villages.
The Burgundy villages and towns are some of France’s most picturesque, and some of them are listed as the Most Beautiful Villages in France. Always high on the list of best places to visit in Burgundy, the Burgundy towns and villages are small, so you can combine two or three on the same day when you visit the region.
Are you planning a trip to the Burgundy Villages last minute?
Dijon is the best base for exploring the best villages in Burgundy. Check out what to do in Dijon and the best places to stay. For a unique Burgundy experience, stay in one of the best château-hotels in Burgundy, surrounded by endless vineyards.
Burgundy by Car
Although we love traveling by train, this area is best explored by car. Driving in France is very easy, and you will love the freedom of having your own car in France.
Some of our favorite French road trips cover the region of Burgundy (we recommend the Route des Grands Crus), and you will love driving through the most beautiful villages in Burgundy and their vineyards.
If you don’t have a car, you can hire one in Dijon. Take a train to Dijon and start your road trip from Burgundy’s capital.
We recommend booking your car with Discover Cars. This site is great because it takes all of the major rental companies, such as Hertz, Avis, etc., and makes the comparison of prices for you. This helps to ensure that you get a great price without all the time and work – Check out our best tips for renting a car in France.
Click here to browse the Car Rental Companies operating in France
Burgundy Wine Tastings
It’s impossible to tour Burgundy and its towns without discovering its wines! Check out the wineries offering tours & tastings along your route.
Don’t leave for Burgundy without travel insurance!
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Best Villages in Burgundy Map
This map also includes a couple of the best towns in Burgundy, France (Saulieu and Semur-en-Axois).
Click here to view the Best Villages in Burgundy Map on Google
Most Beautiful Villages in Burgundy, France
Here’s the list of the most beautiful villages in Burgundy (plus the two best towns in Burgundy, France) – and hotel and wine-tasting recommendations for the main ones. After some hesitation, we decided to talk about our favorite cities in Burgundy, France, in another post.
1. Noyers-Sur-Serein
Noyers, in the Yonne department, is one of the most beautiful medieval villages in Burgundy, thanks to its beautiful setting and the unique preservation of its architectural heritage. Indeed, no less than seventy-eight buildings are listed as Historical Monuments in this Burgundy village!
Explore Noyers’ ramparts flanked by nineteen towers and three fortified gates and stroll the village’s narrow cobbled streets with beautiful half-timbered houses. You will also see stunning Renaissance-style private mansions and winegrowers’ houses.
Bordered by the Grand Crus de Bourgogne’s vineyards and bisected by the Serein River, there’s no lack of photo opportunities in Noyers-Sur-Serein!
And why not drive a few more kilometers north for some wine tastings in Châblis? Domaine Long-Depaquit and Domaine Laroche are two historic wineries, both offering top-rated tours & tastings in English and French (book online in advance!).
2. Vézelay
Vézelay, in the Yonne department, is one of the best Burgundy villages for its history and heritage. Located on the top of a hill and surrounded by ramparts, Vézelay is well known for its Romanesque Basilica Sainte Marie Magdaleine.
Vézelay is one of the best places to visit in Burgundy. The village is the point of departure of one of Santiago de Compostela’s main roads in France (Chemins de Saint-Jacques), the Via Lemovicencis, and an important pilgrimage site for Christians in France.
Both the village and the Basilica are listed as Unesco Heritage Sites, and it’s a beautiful place to explore, perhaps in combination with some Burgundy wine tastings at the local producers (check out Domaine Camu for wine tastings and shopping).
Because of its popularity, Vézelay has good accommodation and dining options for a night or two. If you decide to spend the night in Vézelay, there are beautiful hotels located outside the walls. For great local food, choose one of the many little restaurants in inner Vézelay – Click here to book accommodation in Vézelay
3. Châteauneuf-en-Auxois
If you are looking for beautiful villages near Dijon, check out Châteauneuf-en-Auxois. Located in the Côte d’Or department and with the “Most beautiful villages in France” label, this picturesque Burgundy village stands on a rocky outcrop, and it is surrounded by a medieval fortress with beautiful stone houses, churches and pediments, and turrets from the 15th century.
Châteauneuf is small, so it will be easy to combine with a couple of other Burgundy villages. Don’t miss the visit to the 16th-century château, a superb example of medieval military architecture.
4. Flavigny-Sur-Ozerain
The romantic village of Flavigny-Sur-Ozerain, located beyond the hills of Montbard in Côte d’Or, is another of the best villages in Burgundy with the label “Most beautiful villages in France.”
Follow the walk around the ramparts, get lost in the medieval streets flanked by stone houses from the Middle Ages and Renaissance, and admire the beautiful Benedictine abbey: the architecture of Flavigny is a wonder!
Flavigny-Sur-Ozerain is also a paradise for foodies, with excellent restaurants offering delicious local cuisine paired with some of the best Burgundy wines.
Flavigny’s abbey is the only place in Burgundy producing the famous Anis de Flavigny. These Flavigny aniseed sweets are based on an unchanged recipe that dates back to the 16th century!
DID YOU KNOW? Flavigny-Sur-Ozerain and its vineyards served in the year 2000 as the backdrop of the film Chocolat with Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp.
Best Towns in Burgundy, France
This article is completed with a couple of beautiful towns in Burgundy. These best towns to visit in Burgundy, France, are much bigger than the villages, so you will need more time to visit them.
For an authentic Burgundy experience, consider staying in one of these towns while you visit the other places on this list.
5. Saulieu
Saulieu (in the Côte d’Or department) is a walled medieval town that has existed since Roman times, with beautiful historical buildings at every corner. One of the most picturesque Burgundy towns in the area, Saulieu is also the gateway to the Morvan Regional Natural Park, with endless outdoor activities.
Saulieu is a great town to stay in Burgundy, France. If history and nature are not enough, Saulieu proposes to visitors a gourmet stopover with excellent local produce and several great internationally renowned restaurants – Click here to book accommodation in Saulieu
6. Semur-en-Auxois
Semur-en-Axois (Côte d’Or) is always rated as one of the best towns in Burgundy, France. At the turn of a meander of the Armançon River, this picturesque town raises its red roofs on a promontory of pink granite.
Semur-en-Auxois has a legendary origin: Hercules built it on his way back to Spain! Wander around Semur’s cobbled alleyways and admire the town’s beautiful architecture of half-timbered houses dominated by the Gothic collegiate church and the donjon. It’s no wonder Semur-en-Auxois bears the label “Cité de Caractère de Bourgogne-Franche Comté;” the town is spectacular! – Click here to book accommodation in Semur-en-Axois
And there you have it, the list of the most beautiful villages in Burgundy to visit, completed with two of the best towns in Burgundy. Do you have any of these Burgundy villages on your France bucket list?
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