We flew to Paris and checked our car out at the Airport. Since jet-lag had not yet hit, and it was early morning we headed to the bedroom community of Ecouen, only 7 km away and visited the Chateau which contains the National Museum of the Renaissance. Still before lunch we headed South through Brie, stopping at an appealing restaurant en route to a small Inn in the Fontainebleau Forest. After two nights with our recovery in and around Fontainebleau (seeing it and Vaux-le-Vicomte) (See Our Many Tips), we were prepared to see as much of Burgundy as we could before heading back to Paris for a couple of days. We returned thhe car to the underground Parking beneath the Esplanade in front of the Invalides. We first delivered our luggage at our Hotel on the Avenue La Bourdonnais (Hotel of Same name, See our Tip) only a few blocks away. The car trip inside of Paris was direct, on modestly trafficked streets, that any mid-sized city driver could handle.(Be sure your rental company has a return there).
Written Aug 26, 2008
If you are driving (which is the only sensible way to see Burgundy) in the northern part of the Cote d'Or department or in the adjacent part of Yonne, along D905 you will see winding and crossing the road, the Burgundy Canal in the segment from Tonnerre to Montbard and beyond. We stopped at one of the locks bearing the name of the nearby town of Rougemont. The beauty of the area struck us and we immediately started to fantasize a self-drive family vacation on a rented barge on the canal (it can be done). At the time it was not possible to integrate a nucleus of our adult children with boating knowledge and the skills required (too complex positions and children). It turned out that a tag-along car would be needed to visit most adjacent sites and to acquire provisions. On a short segment of the canal, a simpler attack could succeed if the emphasis is on the boat and the canal. We heartily recommend that you read the two Travelogs here under Bourgogne, in the pages of Pedroswift who gives a complete account of what to do and how. It deserves 5* but you cannot vote for Travelogs. While reading his account, I was reminded of an episode in the BBC comedy series "Keeping Up Appearances" wherein Mrs. Bucket committed all the sins of courtesy and operation possible when encountering a lock
Written Aug 26, 2008
It may be the best way to travel in Burgundy. It will take much more time if you want to use public transport. You can also drive on the lesser roads, which goes through the villages.
Please wear seat-belts (passengers in the back included).
Be careful when you approach a round-about, it is rather new in France.
We found road users non-agressive and never ran into any trouble.
Remember that many car-rental offices are closed on Sundays!
Get a good map.
Updated May 12, 2007
We used the TGV from Dijon to Paris.
It is important to book seats a few days ahead. Tickets and directions to CDG Airport were included.
The train ride is a great experience, it is fast, clean and safe.
Written May 12, 2007
If you cycling in Burgundy, dont miss the Voie verte. This is a 117 kilometer cycle route through Burgundy.
Its easy cycling as it largely follows an old railway - so if you need a break from the hills, take the easy way south.
It also takes you through the Bois Clair tunnel, a great shortcut using a train tunnel through the hills. Wonderfully cool and traffic free. It closes in Autumn as the bats hibernate in it.
Updated Mar 26, 2007
That's a nice way of visiting various places and castles in Bourgundy.
Written Feb 15, 2006
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Mercure Dijon Clemenceau Dijon
1 Review and 53 Opinions The quality of Mercure Hotels from group Accor do vary. The one at the Centre Clemenceau was on the...
Hotel Grillon Beaune
1 Review and 30 Opinions We've stayed at Hotel Grillon four times now and absolutely love it. Mme. Grillon speaks Excellent...
Le Mas des Lilas Auxerre
7 Opinions
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That's a nice way of visiting various places and castles in Bourgundy.
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Q: Am planning to spend about 4-5 day around the region, sometime mid to end May. Any suggested itinerary and places to stay (budget...

A: see my DIJON page and where we stayed Hotel de Paris Dijon near train depot: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/p/m/1e412f/ then you should not miss BEAUNE; I have a...
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