Burgundy is located to the south east of the Ile de France and Paris. It is defined by three important waterways - the Saone and Yonne rivers, and the Canal of Burgundy. A Burgundy villa holiday offers opportunities for boating and other water activities. Burgundy contains many fine examples of its Roman, Gothic and Renaissance eras, such as the ruins at Cluny and the Castle of Ancy le Franc. The capital city of Burgundy is Dijon, famous for its delicious mustard made with verjus, which features in the regional cuisine.

Hot air ballooning, invented by the Montgolfier brothers, is very popular in Burgundy and there are many balloon operators who will take your gently soaring over the spectacular landscape, to finish with a gourmet picnic lunch or a glass of fine Burgundian wine. Go canoeing or kayaking or white water rafting on the Chalaux or Cure rivers, or try sailing and other water sports on the Morvan lakes.

A villa vacation in Burgundy is a gourmet's delight. There are still many independent suppliers in the region, making patés, terrines, cheeses and sausages using traditional methods and quality ingredients. Don't miss dishes made with the renowned Charolais beef, especially Boeuf Bourguignon, or the Escargots a la Bourguignone (snails with garlic butter), Coq au Vin, and Jambon Persillé (Ham with Parsley). Burgundy is also famous for its red and white wines and offers a spectacular "Route du Vin" to travel. Wine production in Burgundy was first introduced by the Romans. You will see acres of rolling hills covered in vineyards. Don't forget to try wines from the Cote de Nuits region such as Nuits-Saint-Georges and Gevrey-Chambertin, or those from the Cote de Beaune region, such as Volnay, Santenay and Savigny-les-Beaune. Crème de Cassis, a blackcurrant liqueur, is a speciality of the region and can be tasted in several popular desserts as well as in the aperitif, Kir. Burgundian cheeses to try are Bouton de Culotte, Époisses and Abbaye de la Pierre qui Vire.

Festivals and Events in Burgundy
Auxerre - International Festival of Music and Cinema (November)
Beaune - Hospice de Beaune Wine Auction and associated festivities (Third weekend in November)
Saulieu - Fête du Charolais (August)
Wine Growing Districts (different villages selected each year) - Festival of St. Vincent (First Saturday after 22 January). Tour the decorated village and taste the local wines and cuisine.