France : Paris & Burgundy

With the River Seine gently meandering through it, the enchanting romantic city of Paris has been described in just about every possible way and is a dream destination for plenty of people the world over, even those who have already visited before. With nearly as many famous landmarks as faces it shows in the different light and seasons, Paris enchants one in its magic. The city features monument-lined boulevards, fascinating museums, classical bistros, bohemian art nouveau cafes, creative wine bars, stylish boutiques, and art galleries. Must-see attractions include: the impressive Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral, the world-renowned Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the Arc de Triomphe standing guard over the glamourous Champs Elysees Avenue. Don’t miss the opportunity to sample infamous French cuisine at an array of enticing boulangeries, patisseries, and fromageries.

Dijon is the capital of the Burgundy wine region in north-central France and is famous for its outstanding red wines. This vibrant university city is set against a backdrop of sprawling vineyards and rolling hills and has a beautifully preserved old town. Favourite pastimes include wine-tasting in the surrounding countryside and visiting the lavish food markets with their premium fresh produce and mouthwatering cuisine. The most magnificent of these is Les Halles, set in a steel and glass structure designed by Eiffel, the architect of the Eiffel Tower. Don’t leave town without visiting its two premier museums - the Museum of Fine Arts, which has an exceptional collection of historical and contemporary artworks housed in a 14th-century palace; and the Musée de la Moutarde, dedicated to the city’s world-renowned mustard.

Idyllically situated at the centre of the Burgundy winemaking region of France and unofficially the capital of Cote d'Or, the historic city of Beaune is known for its fantastic wines, famous mustard factory enthralling historic architecture. Beaune is regarded as one of the best places in France for wine tasting, and one of Burgundy's top tourist destinations. Activities include wine tasting, enjoying pairing menus at various restaurants, and cycling through the scenic, green vineyards. The last independent, family-owned mustard mill in Burgundy exists in La Moutarderie Fallot, which dates to 1840 and is the only company which still grinds its seeds by stone, retaining its flavour. The old cobbled town boasts magnificent heritage buildings, most famously the colourfully-tiled Hotel-Dieu, a 15th-century former-hospital which is now a museum renowned for its annual wine auction.

Set in eastern France, the Cote de Beaune area is situated in the southern part of the Cote d'Or, in the heart of the world-renowned Burgundy wine-growing region. The area is named after the region’s main town of Beaune and produces a variety of legendary wines. Visitors can look forward to sampling an array of locally produced wines including some of Burgundy’s best character-filled red and some crisp white wines including Volnay and Montrachet, one of the most renowned Grand Crus in the world. Other highlights include: the Rennaissance palace of Chateau d'Ancy-le-Franc, the historic heart of the medieval town of Beaune and the Abbey of Fontenay, one of the oldest Cistercian abbeys in Europe.

Located in east-central France, Burgundy is known for its rich heritage, world-renowned wines, and exquisite cuisine. Sample the fine Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays for which the area is famous, feast on coq au vin, a local speciality of chicken cooked in a red wine sauce, or indulge in the region’s famous Epoisses cheese at artisanal fromageries in the medieval stone village where it is crafted. Beaune is dubbed Burgundy’s ‘fairytale village’ for its bucolic landscape, walled town and beguiling atmosphere, where visitors can wander through the age-old cobbled streets, cycle through the vine-swathed surrounds, or pay a visit to the intriguing Hotel-Dieu - a converted 15th-century hospital. Other Burgundy highlights include the region’s attractive capital, Dijon, and the exquisite wilderness of the Parc Naturel Regional du Morvan.