Regions of France

Burgundy has history at every turn. This was once a formidable duchy that was more powerful than France itself. In its heyday, its territory stretched as far north as Holland and as far eastwards as Flanders. The dukes of Burgundy spent a fortune beautifying their capital, Dijon. The city - these days a rich provincial centre - remains one of the region’s greatest draws, especially with its beautifully preserved medieval alleys and timbered buildings. The region also boasts some of France’s most spectacular castles. Chateau d’Ancy le Franc is styled on the Italian Renaissance, Chateau de Cormatin is a unique survivor from the days before the revolution and the undoubted jewel of the French Renaissance, Chateau de Sully, with its surrounding moat, four corner towers and "the most beautiful castle courtyard in the kingdom of France", according to the Marquise de Sévigné. And if castles are your passion then you are in for a treat as the region is peppered with a further 121 period delights! The churches, abbeys and monasteries are equally impressive. The town of Vézelay is still a hotspot for pilgrims and its basilica is a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture, both listedWorld Heritage Sites by UNESCO whilst at Cluny you will discover the medieval nerve- centre for a Europe-wide monastic empire. Named the ‘Abbey City’it was quite simply one of the most wonderful spiritual adventures of the Middle Ages. At its peak, in around the year 1100, Cluny Abbey ruled over 10,000 monks and 1,500 monasteries all over Europe. Almost nothing remains of the biggest abbey ever built in the Middle Ages. Today, just one bell tower stands at the heart of this small town. Even if there were no historical wonders in Burgundy, the gastronomic cuisine would be reason enough to holiday here. Boeuf bourguignon is the region’s signature dish but there are scores of other local specialities. One of France’s most celebrated cheeses, Epoisses, comes from a lovely little village of the same name (complete with rambling medieval castle). Locals will insist you wash down the cheese with a glass of vielles vignes (old vine) Chablis. So the moral of this brief glance at this oft-overlooked region of central France is twofold - firstly, do not be in a hurry to get to the crowded beaches of the Mediterranean or the sweltering heat of the southern sun, - tarry instead and enjoy the fruits of the Bourgogne. Once visited you are sure to return again and again. At Burgundy’s rural heart lies the Morvan National Park, 1,000 square miles of unspoiled wildness. It’s dotted with lakes and picturesque villages, many of which have family-run brasseries in their tree-shaded squares. Summers are often beautifully warm (perfect for swimming and kayaking in the Morvan’s many freshwater lakes). In winter the microclimate is not so accommodating with cold conditions settling in together with a thick blanket of snow. Discover the remains of old gallic town in the heart of park, cloaked by the deep forests at Bibracte, once home to nearly 10,000 inhabitants. the town under the FOREST Medieval Dijon. Château de Sully. The bell tower at Cluny. 18