Self-Launched Walking in Burgundy's Vineyards

Arrive in Dijon by TGV from Paris Gare de Lyon — trains run frequently and take around 1h40m (~£25–40 depending on how far in advance you book via SNCF Connect or Trainline). Check into a budget hotel or chambre d'hôtes in the city centre. Spend the afternoon exploring the old town on foot: the Palais des Ducs, the covered market (Halles de Dijon), and the famous Maille mustard boutique on Rue de la Liberté. Pick up a free walking map from the Dijon tourist office. No meals included — grab a crêpe or a local charcuterie plate at a cave à manger.

🚌TGV Paris → Dijon (~£25–40, book via SNCF Connect or Trainline). Local transport within Dijon on foot.

🛏Budget hotel or chambre d'hôtes in Dijon city centre, e.g. Hôtel Le Chambellan or similar (~£40–55/night).

• →Stroll the medieval old town and admire the 'Town of 100 Bells' architecture
• →Visit the Halles de Dijon covered market for local produce
• →Pop into the Maille mustard boutique for a free tasting
• →Collect the free Route des Grands Crus walking map from the tourist office

Take the local TER train or bus to Marsannay-la-Côte (a short 10-minute ride, ~£3) to start today's 9 km walk. The trail follows the opening stretch of the Route des Grands Crus through soft vineyard curves and dry-stone-walled clos. Stop at the Cave de Marsannay for a self-booked wine tasting — their rosé is unique in Burgundy (~£10–15 for a tasting). Continue walking through Fixey and on to Gevrey-Chambertin. En route, look out for signs to a fromagerie offering raw milk cheese tastings. Check into a gîte or small B&B in Gevrey-Chambertin. Dinner at a village bistro — try Oeufs en Meurette.

🚌TER train or Transco bus from Dijon to Marsannay (~£3). Walk the 9 km stage to Gevrey-Chambertin. Luggage can be left at accommodation (arrange drop-off yourself or use a local taxi, ~£15).

🛏Gîte or chambre d'hôtes in Gevrey-Chambertin, e.g. La Maison des Vignes or similar (~£45–60/night).

• →Walk 9 km along the Route des Grands Crus from Marsannay to Gevrey-Chambertin
• →Self-booked wine tasting at Cave de Marsannay (~£10–15)
• →Visit a raw milk cheese producer for a Burgundian cheese tasting
• →Explore Gevrey-Chambertin's Romanesque church and medieval castle

Today's 14 km walk is the highlight of the whole route. Head through the Grand Cru vineyards of Morey-Saint-Denis and Chambolle-Musigny. Pause at the simple cross-shaped sign marking Romanée-Conti — the most expensive vineyard on earth, on just 1.8 hectares. Continue to the majestic Château du Clos Vougeot: entry is self-bookable directly (€8–10/~£7–9) and includes the 12th-century wine presses and vaulted cellars. Arrive in Nuits-Saint-Georges and check into a small hotel. Dinner in town — try Beef Bourguignon at a local restaurant.

🚌Walk the full 14 km stage. Carry a daypack; leave main luggage at accommodation arranged the previous evening (local taxi transfer ~£15 if needed).

🛏Budget hotel in Nuits-Saint-Georges, e.g. Hôtel la Gentilhommière or similar (~£45–60/night).

• →Walk 14 km through Grand Cru vineyards of Morey-Saint-Denis and Chambolle-Musigny
• →Stop at the Romanée-Conti vineyard marker — the world's most famous wine plot
• →Self-booked visit to Château du Clos Vougeot (~£7–9, book direct at clos-de-vougeot.fr)
• →Arrive in Nuits-Saint-Georges and explore the market town

Today's circular 13 km walk explores the Hautes-Côtes de Nuits. Walk to a local farm producing cassis (blackcurrant) liquor — ask at your accommodation or the tourist office for the nearest domaine offering tastings; many welcome walk-in visitors during harvest season (~£5–10). In Vosne-Romanée, stop at a small domaine for a self-booked tasting of 4–5 wines including a Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru (~£15–25, book via wineries' own websites or GetYourGuide). Finish with a truffle hunt on a local estate — bookable via GetYourGuide or directly with estates like Domaine Confuron (~£25–40). Return to Nuits-Saint-Georges for dinner.

🚌Circular walk from Nuits-Saint-Georges — no additional transport needed.

🛏Same hotel as previous night in Nuits-Saint-Georges (~£45–60/night).

• →Walk 13 km circular route into the Hautes-Côtes de Nuits
• →Visit a blackcurrant farm and taste cassis liquor — the base of the iconic Kir aperitif (~£5–10)
• →Wine tasting in Vosne-Romanée including a Grand Cru (~£15–25, book direct or via GetYourGuide)
• →Burgundy truffle hunt with dogs on a local estate (~£25–40, book via GetYourGuide)

Today's longest stage — 18 km — takes you up into the Hautes-Côtes de Nuits for panoramic valley views before descending into the Côtes de Beaune. Pass through Aloxe-Corton, famous for Corton-Charlemagne white wines. Take the Transco bus or a local taxi from Nuits-Saint-Georges to the start of the walking stage if needed (~£5–10). Arrive in Beaune by mid-afternoon. Check into a budget hotel or hostel. Explore Beaune's ramparts and wine shops at leisure. Tonight is a free dinner night — pick up a demi-baguette, local charcuterie and cheese from a supermarket or the covered market to save money.

🚌Optional Transco bus or taxi from Nuits-Saint-Georges to the trailhead (~£5–10). Walk 18 km into Beaune.

🛏Budget hotel or hostel in Beaune, e.g. Hôtel des Remparts or similar (~£40–55/night).

• →Walk 18 km from the Hautes-Côtes de Nuits down to Beaune
• →Pass through Aloxe-Corton and admire its famous Corton-Charlemagne vineyard
• →Arrive in Beaune and explore the medieval ramparts and wine merchant quarter
• →Browse Beaune's excellent wine shops for bottles to take home

Spend the morning at the Hôtel-Dieu (Hospices de Beaune) — one of France's most spectacular Gothic buildings, with its iconic polychrome tile roof. Entry is ~€8 (~£7), bookable on the door or online. Option to do a morning walk of 8 km through the Premiers Crus vineyards up to 'la montagne de Beaune' and through the forest — the tourist office provides a free map. In the afternoon, visit an artisanal chocolaterie (Beaune has several excellent ones, free entry) and book a wine tasting at a local domaine — try Patriarche Père & Fils whose atmospheric 13th-century cellars are self-bookable (~£12–18). Dinner out in Beaune tonight — treat yourself to Poulet de Bresse à la Crème at a brasserie.

🚌All on foot within Beaune.

🛏Same hotel as previous night in Beaune (~£40–55/night).

• →Visit the Hôtel-Dieu (Hospices de Beaune) Gothic masterpiece (~£7, book at the door)
• →Optional 8 km morning walk through Premiers Crus vineyards to la montagne de Beaune
• →Visit an artisanal chocolaterie in Beaune (free entry, tastings available)
• →Wine tasting in a historic cellar, e.g. Patriarche Père & Fils (~£12–18, book direct)

Enjoy a final breakfast at your hotel or a local boulangerie (croissant and café au lait ~£4). Check out and make your way to Beaune SNCF station. Take the TER train to Dijon (~25 mins, ~£8) to connect with TGV services back to Paris or onward to your next destination. Alternatively, Dijon is well connected by TGV directly to Lyon, Marseille and beyond.

🚌TER train Beaune → Dijon (~25 mins, ~£8). TGV onward from Dijon (~£25–50 depending on destination, book via SNCF Connect).

🛏N/A — departure day.

• →Final breakfast at a local boulangerie
• →Last browse of Beaune's Saturday market if departing on a weekend
• →TER train from Beaune to Dijon (~£8), then onward TGV connections