A concentrate of French history and a necklace of medieval jewels! In the heart of Burgundy, the Côte-d'Or is home to the medieval city ofFlavigny-sur-Ozerain, among the most beautiful villages in France, Semur-en-Auxois andSaulieu, or even the castle of Bussy-Rabutin, whose count was a cousin of Mme de Sévigné. InMontbard, it is necessary to visit the museum Buffon and its park dedicated to the great naturalist, friend of Diderot, and the great forge, built by the naturalist count, now the museum of the Forges and the Century of Enlightenment. There is also Bèze, elected the favourite village of the French, and its caves that can be discovered by boat. AndDijon, his palace of the Dukes, his cathedral and... his mustard! In the oldest mustard factory in Burgundy, you will discover the know-how of the mustard maker who grinds the seeds with a stone grinder. Another heritage diamond, Beauneits collegiate church and its hospices. The Côte-d'Or had a life before the Middle Ages. As proof, the Celtic testimonies at the Châtillonnais museum, and of course Alésia, Gallic memory.
In addition to all this wealth, the Côte-d'Or offers its countryside. You can practice hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, sailing on the lakes, fishing, walking on the natural site of the springs of the Seine, the banks of the Burgundy Canal or the Morvan Mountains. Finally, the Côte-d'Or is a small paradise for lovers of good wines who will appreciate the Clos de Vougeot and the great wines of the Côte de Nuits.

When to go Côte-D'Or ?

When to go ? In Côte-d'Or, the climate is favorable from the beginning of June to the end of September, while the coldest months are January and February. November and December are often overcast. This is good for hiking and outdoor activities. For the rest, if the high tourist season is the summer, the tourist reception remains active all year long. There is no off season! You will always find in the Côte-d'Or very good restaurants, open museums, as well as wine growers' cellars. The animal park of Auxois is open every day from the beginning of March to mid-November. As soon as the weather is fine, discover the Côte-d'Or at the rhythm of the water, on the Saône or along the Burgundy canal, which crosses the department from one side to the other.

If you want to take advantage of the events around the grape harvest or the autumn colors in the vineyards, let the summer pass for a wine tourism stay and why not attend the sales of the Hospices de Beaune (mid-November). The tourist route of the Grands Crus is lined with well-chosen gastronomic stops. As for the caves of Bèze, they can be visited, on foot or by boat, from May to September every day, as well as in April and October every weekend.

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Its vineyards and its great wines, its gastronomy and its starred chefs, its heritage, the diversity of its landscapes... The Côte d'Or offers a wide range of possibilities to discover. Whether you dream of sailing along the water while lounging on the deck of a boat, whether you are a history buff or a true epicurean, there is something for everyone! Here are 3 ideas that are among the must-sees when visiting the department. So many experiences that will leave you with unforgettable memories. To be enjoyed alone or with a partner, family or friends. In any case, the tourist offices will of course be able to give you more information. There are also dedicated websites and smartphone applications to give you thematic ideas and all the good addresses to discover. Do not hesitate to consult them.

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Discover Côte-D'Or

According to legend, the Côte-d'Or takes its name from the color of its vines in autumn, but the territory it occupies offers so many rich treasures to discover. The vineyards make the fame of this department of Burgundy-Franche-Comté, where the Seine river takes its source, with the famous Route des Grands Crus marked out of about sixty km of the Côte de Nuits to the Côte de Beaune. Alongside the nectars that make you sing, the pleasures of the table do not fail with brilliant houses and starred chefs. Gastronomic, historical, patrimonial, artistic, it invites all curiosities. A tourist destination of choice with medieval villages such as Flavigny-sur-Ozerain or the city of Chateauneuf. The Côte-d'Or tells its own story and exhibits it, like Vercingetorix at the Museo Parc or the Dukes of Burgundy in Dijon. Walk in its countryside, pedal on the 350 km of bicycle paths or sail along the Burgundy canal

Pictures and images Côte-D'Or

Vue sur Fixin. andre quinou - Shutterstock.com
Eglise Notre-Dame, Dijon. Philippe / Adobe Stock
Châtillon-sur-Seine. Côte d'Or Tourisme © R.KREBEL
Entrée de Saulieu avec l'Ours Pompon. Eric Voillequin

The 12 keywords Côte-D'Or

1. # Agriculture

Vineyard products, cereals, cattle and sheep breeding, fruit and vegetables, but also cheeses (Epoisses, but not only!), the Côte-d'Or is rooted in its rural nature. Its agriculture is even an essential sector of the local economy. In short, if for you happiness is not in the meadow, go straight away!

2. # Handicraft

Wood, glass, iron, stone or clay work, basketry or even soap making... In the four corners of the department, art craftsmen offer their creations. Not to mention all the small producers who will delight you with their home-made products. It's hard to resist. So, before coming, bring big bags to fill!

3. # Cassis

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As much as the wines and the mustard, the blackcurrant is emblematic of this corner of France! Here, from the aperitif to the dessert (and even to the digestive), you will drink and eat blackcurrants. Not to mention the countless sweets, chocolates, jams and other gingerbreads that also have their own version of cassis. Unmissable, we tell you!

4. # Cellars

In Beaune, Vougeot, Pommard, Vosne-Romanée and Châtillon-sur-Seine, it is often underground that you will indulge in the pleasure of tasting the great wines of which the Côte-d'Or abounds. Red, white or crémant: you will be spoilt for choice. So, go for it! Especially in the summer, you will also find a little freshness.

5. # Climate(s)

Snow, frost and fog in winter, scorching heat and strong thunderstorms in summer, the Côte-d'Or has a fairly wide temperature range. But don't be fooled: when we talk about climate here, it will be mainly to evoke the parcels of vines dotting the hillsides of the wines. They are even listed as a World Heritage Site.

6. # Dukes

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From south to north, from east to west, wherever you go you will find the imprint of the Dukes of Burgundy. There, the Hospices de Beaune. Elsewhere, the castle and garden of Barbilly or those of Commarin and Bussy-Rabutin. In short, the Dukes are everywhere. Normal, they have reigned on these lands for more than 500 years. Of course, that leaves traces!

7. # Water

From the Saône to the Armançon via the Ouche, the Canal de Bourgogne, the Tille or the Serein, there are many rivers and canals. Not to mention the countless lakes and other bodies of water that are a joy for bathing and fishing enthusiasts. If, in addition, you are a fan of cruising, do not hesitate any longer: welcome to the Côte-d'Or!

8. # Large tables

If Burgundy counts about thirty starred chefs, the Côte-d'Or alone hosts 16. This means that there is no shortage of excellent restaurants, and to this must be added a bistronomic offer and a multitude of restaurants that would also deserve to see a thousand and one stars. I might as well tell you: here you will never go hungry!

9. # International

The richness of the historical and natural heritage of the Côte d'Or makes it an international showcase. In 2023, the city of Climats and Burgundy wines opened in Beaune. The Cité de la Gastronomie et du Vin in Dijon, inaugurated on May 6, 2022, celebrates its first anniversary, and the International Gastronomy Fair has been in existence for over 90 years.

10. # Mustard

Moutarde de Dijon©tycoon101 - Adobe Stock.jpeg

What would Dijon be without its mustard? With its wines and its blackcurrant liqueur, this is the most exported product of the Côte-d'Or. Be careful, however, if the so-called Burgundy mustard is 100% local (thanks to its AOP), the Dijon mustard has little to do with the region. It would often come from Canada than from Gustave Eiffel's homeland. Tabernacle!

11. # Nature

Vineyards and forests, limestone plateaus or green valleys, the Côte-d'Or offers many landscapes. There are many natural areas. As for the National Forest Park located in the Châtillonnais, its 241,000 ha make it the largest wooded area in the department, and the largest European park with an ecological and economic vocation. That's all there is to it!

12. # Unesco

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From the abbey of Cîteaux to the medieval town of Semur-en-Auxois, from the beautiful villages of Flavigny-sur-Ozerain or Vougeot to the superb Hospices de Beaune, there is no shortage of wonders here. The proof is that Unesco has even classified two Côte d'Or sites as World Heritage Sites: the Fontenay Abbey and the Burgundy wine climates!

You are from here, if...

To say hello and goodbye you give 4 kisses. Beware: if you save yourself, people will immediately know that you are not from here.

You are not the kind of person who complains about the harshness of winter or the heat of summer. You are so used to it!

You practice the Burgundian Ban. No wedding or banquet without singing it together at the time of the pear (just before the cheese).

You think that there is nothing better than local wines ( "because the others, my goodness..."), and that Burgundian cuisine, "there's no denying it... it surpasses them all! You also think that Dijon is by far the most beautiful city (within a radius of 2 million kilometers), and that nothing beats the beautiful sites of the Côte-d'Or. In short, you are "a bit"... chauvinistic!

You prefer to take your time and savor every second of the local products. It's not that you are chauvinistic, no. You are simply an epicurean!

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