Burgundy and Alsace: two regions that express the very essence of France while offering strikingly different experiences.
These Walks are for both Francophiles and food lovers. People who delight in fine wine, timeless villages, and the pleasures of the gentle rhythms of the French countryside.
Burgundy means rolling Côte d’Or vineyards, and centuries-old monasteries.
Then discover Alsace, a region of fairy-tale charm shaped by a rich blend of French and German traditions.
For those traveling in spring, these two Walks can be enjoyed back-to-back, creating an extended journey through eastern France at its most beautiful. And there’s a special saving when you combine both adventures!
Savor Burgundy at walking pace, where every step brings us closer to the rich heart of rural France.
Our journey unfolds among rolling, vineyard-draped hills and quiet country paths. These link medieval villages and elegant market towns that define Burgundy’s enduring appeal.
Walk cobbled lanes in Flavigny-sur-Ozerain, its fortified gates and honey-colored stone made famous by the movie Chocolat.
Climb to Châteauneuf-en-Auxois, where a commanding castle surveys the Burgundy Canal and patchwork countryside below. In Semur-en-Auxois, towers and ramparts rise dramatically above the Armançon River, a striking reminder of the region’s layered past.
Burgundy’s reputation for wine and cuisine takes center stage throughout. Enjoy private tastings in renowned cellars. Here celebrated vintages reveal the character of the land itself. At the table, regional classics shine.
Those old Dukes of Burgundy knew how to live well! Think of slow-simmered boeuf bourguignon, pungent Époisses cheese, and seasonal dishes that pair perfectly with local wines.
History enriches every day, from peaceful walks through pastoral landscapes to a visit to the Abbey of Fontenay, a 900-year-old Cistercian masterpiece and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Browse the lively market in Beaune before visiting the iconic Hospices de Beaune. It was founded nearly 600 years ago as a charitable almshouse and now one of Burgundy’s most celebrated landmarks.
A private lunch at Château d’Entre-deux-Monts, a gracious woodland retreat dating to the reign of Louis XIII will be very special. Then to the legendary Côte de Nuits. During a visit to the Château de Clos-Vougeot – home of the Chevaliers du Tastevin – we explore the château itself along with its historic Cistercian cellars and ancient wine presses.
One of the journey’s most memorable moments is our visit to the impeccably preserved Château de Commarin. We’ll be personally welcomed by the current owner, a descendant of the noble family that has lived here for more than five centuries.
And we’ll spend some down-time time relaxing in a beautifully restored 17th-century château, built on the site of an ancient monastery, where modern hotel comforts meet centuries of heritage!
Set aside what you think you know about France. Alsace has it’s very own, very distinctive, character.
This spellbinding frontier region, shaped by centuries of shifting French and German rule, weaves together cultures, scenery – and tastes – in a way unlike anywhere else.
Tucked between the Vosges Mountains and the Rhine River, Alsace seems lifted from a storybook. Think picturesque villages, the densest collection of medieval castles in Europe, and a distinctive Franco-German cuisine found nowhere else in the country.
Stroll narrow cobblestone lanes bordered by half-timbered houses bursting with flowers and painted in bold colors. The shades once revealed the crafts practiced inside, from baking to butchery.
Wine enthusiasts will feel right at home on the legendary Route des Vins. Here more than a hundred wine-growing villages unfold between Strasbourg and Colmar, a town which charms with its pastel half-timbered houses, flower-lined canals, and wine-filled cellars.
Wandering its storybook streets reveals Renaissance townhouses, bustling markets, and all surrounded byvineyards planted with Riesling, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, and Gewürztraminer varietals.
One of the journey’s standout moments is our visit to Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle. Rising dramatically above the plains, this still-forbidding 12th-century stronghold offers sweeping views across the Alsatian Plain toward the distant Black Forest.
From there, we venture into the tranquil Vosges Mountains. We follow forested trails to the solemn Le Linge Memorial. This preserved World War I battlefield is marked by crosses honoring the losses of both French and German soldiers. It is a powerful testament to Alsace’s layered history and resilient spirit.
Here, wine and food are inseparable companions. Meals are simple, seasonal, and deeply satisfying, enjoyed alongside convivial evenings in traditional wine taverns. Local specialties such as Munster cheese, pretzels, choucroute, smoked sausages, and flammekueche provide a flavorful introduction to the heart of Alsatian cooking. And don’t forget the famous beers! Traditionally, beer was brewed in the monasteries, then independent breweries started up and brewing became an official trade in Strasbourg in 1268.