These two areas, which lie to the East and South-East of Paris, are home to two
of the world's most famous grape varieties : Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Whilst Champagne specialises in white sparkling wines, Burgundy has focused
on still wines, both red and white. Both areas have a rich cultural heritage,
and Burgundy's gastronomic tradition is especially famous.
Days 1 & 2- leaving Paris in the morning, you will be driven by your guide to
Champagne where you will stay at Les Crayeres, a Relais & Chateau hotel set
in parkland on the edge of the town of Reims. The two days programme
will include visits to Champagne houses and cellars, a gastronomic dinner at
Les Crayeres, a dinner in one of the oldest and most famous Champagne
houses, and visits to a museum and to Reims cathedral, one of France's
high-gothic masterpieces. Reims (two days and nights in Champagne at
Les Crayeres, the top hotel in the region and a Relais et Chateau. One dinner
in their 3-star Michelin restaurant.
Another option is L'Assiette Champenoise, the other top hotel and restaurant in
Reims) Producers visited will be among the following :
Veuve Clicquot, Bollinger, Deutz, Taittinger, Roederer, Jacquesson.
Day 3- moving across the country to the South and West, you will see the
town of Troyes, former capital of Champagne, and lunch in Chablis, where
you will also discover the white wines of this Northern outpost of Burgundy.
In the afternoon you will be driven to Beaune, the historical capital of Burgundy
and the hotel that will be your base for the next 3 nights. Beaune (three days
and nights at l'Histelerie Levernois and a dinner at their Michelin star
restaurant).
Other meals will include Michelin star restaurants and good local restaurants
Days 4 & 5- you will be taken on an exploration of the multiple sub-regions
of Burgundy's vineyards, some of them well-known, others carefully-kept
secrets. Historical buildings that have marked the past history of this
land of kings, dukes and monks will provide a background.
Lunches and dinners will provide the opportunities to enjoy the gastronomy
of the region, and a culinary demonstration of a local speciality will be
included. The wine producers you will visit will include the large and famous,
the small and famous, and some lesser-known personal discoveries of your
guide. Producers visited will be among the following :
Michel Laroche, William Fevre (Chablis), Bonneau du Martray, Bouchard
Pere et Fils, Olivier Leflaive, Joseph Drouhin, Chateau de la Maltroye
around Beaune) and other smaller and lesser-known producers of very
high quality
Day 6- Before leaving Burgundy, you will be taken to visit the town of Dijon,
which took over from Beaune as regional capital 500 years ago and has
retained this status: Time for shopping and visits to the historical centre.
After lunch in one of the top local restaurants, you will be driven back to Paris.
Final evening- To conclude the trip, a dinner in one of Paris' top restaurants,
rated 2 or 3 stars in the Michelin guide.
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