FAQ Route des Grands Crus

The Route des Grands Crus starts in Dijon, passes through Nuits-Saint-Georges and the Beaune region before stopping at Les Maranges, via Santenay. It forms a narrow strip 2km wide on a north-south axis. Dijon being the most northerly point. You can find a map of the route here PS: there’s nothing to stop you :

• starting at Les Maranges
• stopping off en route at Puligny-Montrachet or Gevrey-Nuits-Saint-Georges
• only drive from Beaune to Aloxe-Corton and from Aloxe-Corton to Beaune.

In short, our Burgundy wine route can be experienced as you wish.

The Burgundy Wine Route is 60km long, enough time for wine tasting, and enough time to see wine-growing Burgundy in its purest form. To cover the whole route, allow 3 to 4 days, enough time to visit the typical villages, take photos, go wine-tasting, take your time between the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits, see the Hautes-Côtes and stop off in the capital of Burgundy wines, Beaune!

The route passes through 37 wine-producing villages. These include Ladoix-Serrigny, Pernand-Vergelesses, Aloxe-Corton, Pommard, Meursault, Puligny and Chassagne-Montrachet, Santenay and Maranges.

The route is dotted with estates, cellars and wine houses where you can stop to sample the local appellations.

In Vougeot, for example, don’t miss the chance to taste a wine from the famous Clos de Vougeot, one of Burgundy’s most emblematic Grands Crus. Or stop off to taste Savigny Villages and Savigny Premier Cru at Savigny-lès-Beaune.

Whether you’re visiting a small family estate or a big house, tasting is an integral part of the experience!

Find a selection of places to taste on the Route des Grands Crus

It’s best to book your activities in advance, but some estates or wineries accept visits without booking. Contact the establishments concerned for more information.

You bet! In fact, it’s one of the great assets of the Route des Grands Crus. Take a tour of Burgundy’s appellations, and stop off at the cellars and estates in the villages you pass through to taste the wines on the spot! I visit the Domaines

There are no rules, but we recommend that you follow the Route des Grands Crus from north to south, i.e. from Dijon to Santenay. Start by discovering the mustard, blackcurrants and heritage of Dijon, then head south through the Grands Crus of the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune, not forgetting the gingerbread, blackcurrants and other local specialities. Finish your journey gently, passing through Chagny, a charming river town, before reaching Santenay, between vineyards and thermal baths. You can then continue on to the charming villages of Les Maranges.

The great thing about the Route is that you can explore it any way you like: On foot along the paths of the Grands Crus, by bike to the rhythm of the vines, by car for more freedom, or on a guided wine tour… It’s up to you to choose how you want to experience it! Follow the route from north to south on foot, by bike, by car, on horseback or on a wine tour, but remember to use responsible modes of transport:

• on foot or by bike: no harm to the planet
• by car: opt for car pooling, avoid driving solo
• wine tours: opt for unusual visits; on a sidecar or wine-bike, gallop along the wine route!

Yes, you can take photos in the vineyards! But be careful, the vines are not just scenery: they are private plots of land and, above all, workplaces for the winegrowers. To respect their work and preserve the vineyard, here are a few simple rules to follow:

• Stay on the edge of the rows, without walking between the vines, especially if they have been treated recently.
• Watch out for farm machinery: it has priority on the vineyard paths.
• Don’t touch the grapes or vines, even out of curiosity: this can weaken the plant or compromise the harvest.

By taking these simple steps, you’ll be helping to protect this living heritage… and your photos will be all the more beautiful for it!

The Burgundy wine route is packed with places to discover between tastings. To the north, Dijon is a magnet for visitors with its Musée des Beaux-Arts, the Tour Philippe le Bon and its blackcurrant specialities. In Nuits-Saint-Georges, discover the Cassissium and immerse yourself in the world of blackcurrants. Stop off at Clos de Vougeot, in the heart of the vineyards, to discover this famous château. In Beaune, visit the famous Hospices and lose yourself in its historic cellars and alleyways. Further south, discover Meursault (famous for La Grande Vadrouille), the Château de Pommard, the vineyards of Saint-Aubin, and the Canal de Chagny, where nature and contemporary art meet. Finish on a high note with the Grands Crus of Montrachet and the peaceful charm of Santenay.

The route passes through 32 grands crus, and generally features Burgundy’s emblematic grape varieties: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. You can also find Aligoté and Gamay, both descended from Pinot Noir.

• The Route des Grands Crus is the official and historic itinerary of our wine route in the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits.
• The Burgundy Wine Route is a more generic term
• The Chemin des Grands Crus refers to the footpath or cycle path that runs alongside the Route des Grands Crus, through vineyards and villages.
• The Voie des Vignes is the cycle route that runs parallel to the Route des Grands Crus.

There’s no “best” time, because you’ll find that the road changes completely with the seasons! That said, spring is an excellent compromise: the vines emerge from winter, the leaves grow back and everything is green and in bloom.

• In spring(April to June), the vines come back to life, the countryside is fresh and green, and there aren’t too many people around. Nevertheless, the weather can still be unstable, with a few showers and a certain coolness.
• In summer(July to August), it’s holiday time: sunshine, lively villages, open wine cellars and plenty of activities. Beware, however, of the crowds and the heat, which can be overwhelming.
• In autumn(September to October), the vines take on magnificent hues of gold and red, and it’s harvest time: a lively and authentic time. However, some estates are less available because of the harvest and work in the cellars. And be careful about sharing the roads and paths with wine-making machinery.
• In winter(November to March), the road is quieter, with a more intimate atmosphere and often lower prices. But there are fewer wineries open, the weather is colder and the days are shorter.

The Route des Grands Crus, of course! Created in 1937, this was the very first wine route in France. It paved the way for a new type of tourism, making it easy to discover a vineyard in all its richness: its landscapes, its villages, its traditions… and, of course, its wines.

Beaune, of course! All roads lead to Beaune. It’s the beating heart of the Route des Grands Crus, the capital of Burgundy wines. A town steeped in history, heritage and wine-tasting, Beaune is often an essential stopping-off point, whether you’re coming from the north or the south. With its world-famous Hospices, historic cellars, lively alleyways and unique wine-growing atmosphere, Beaune alone embodies the soul of Burgundy.

Taking the Burgundy Wine Route means driving through some exceptional villages! Discover the famous wine villages of Meursault, Pommard, Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet, Aloxe-Corton and Pernand-Vergelesses.