A trip to Burgundy, France: not only wine, but castles, canals and washrooms

We start early because we want to arrive early in Burgundy in mid-morning and Km from Varese, are not few.
The most obvious way to follow seems the Mont Blanc tunnel, via already tried several times and tolls round trip (one week) agrees very

 

Cormatin, Curbigny, Besancon

May 1, 2008:
We arrive on time for the public opening of the first castle in the program: Chateau de Cormatin.
If "good morning starts in the morning" this is a very good day or rather a great trip: the castle is fantastic, both outside and inside. Outside is surrounded by large moats and canals, but the interior decorated, furnished with taste and with so many rooms open to the public. Only downside (as with almost all the castles to visit in Burgundy) is the guide: the most verbose, with information almost always discounted for those used to visit castles like us.
After visiting the castle and a short walk in the park comes time for lunch, then resumed his usual practice adopted by us on French soil: lunch in bakeries (translation: bakery). Boulangeries The French are a fantastic thing, even in the smallest village boulangerie more lost you will find enough to eat: savory baked goods (eg quiche, croque monsieur and the like) and sweet exceptional (typically a "flan" or the tartlets pears etc.. etc...) Then seek a "romantic place" where the lunch purchased (and not lacking in Burgundy) and you're done!
Then ran off to the second castle: Chateau de Dree in area Curbigny.
Although this castle is interesting though less effect than the last. The furniture, though very painstaking and ancient, are more recent due to a modernization of the owner after buying the castle remains of the original furnishings. Always nice park with fountains and flower beds very well kept.
Subsequently several miles ahead. car to reach Besancon, where stay overnight.
Besancon is not part of the Burgundy region but 'the Franche Comte. This is known already suffered: not the typical charm of the place of Burgundy and that disappoints us greatly.
In return we booked the hotel via e-mail is fantastic: Hotel Charles Quint, in old period building, with stylish furniture, fireplace room, an old swimming pool in the park etc.. ETC. Breakfast in the beautiful style lounge, is of average quality, as well as prices. We also had the foresight to book a parking space and so we had no problems in the park (otherwise would be trouble.)
The city is nothing special: streets paved with gray stone. Single point is the lively area near the canal where there are many premises. These parts we eat outdoors but dinner is really pitiful. Unfortunately French cuisine does not meet the taste seems to suit my palate but a bit 'better to the tastes of Max

Dijon, Sully, Beaime

First stop of the day touring the city of Dijon.
Although it was the largest city of Burgundy, Dijon has a distinctive and interesting historic center: many timber-framed buildings flanked and then center of the city, the vast Place de la Liberation.

We buy lunch at the boulangerie and eat in a nice lay-by on the romantic road of the vineyards "Route de Grands Crues", towards the castle of Sully, with some white cows that make us friends.
The road is very scenic; through farms vineyards and pretty villages entirely of stone, bridges and stretches of yellow fields.
The castle of Sully's beautiful outside: large moat, bridge access and large terrace with lateral impressive staircase. Even the interior is pleasant and the guide is very nice but still "too long" in his tour almost theatrical.
Pretty well the shop of the castle.

Then we head towards the town of Beaune where to stay overnight.
Beaune is the most vibrant city of Burgundy, you immediately see the number of tourists. And 'the city of wine for the exception because it is situated exactly in the area of vineyards. E 'cheerful, lively and colorful.
In Beaune we visit the famous Hotel-Dieu, an ancient hospice-hospital with unique architecture and colorful interior completely rebuilt, with a lot of sisters in wax.

We have dinner in a brasserie in the beautiful and great central square.
Do not forget to visit the beautiful wash along the perimeter walls of the city. Is also illuminated in the evening!

The hotel is located outside the city walls and then we move in the car: Hotel Le Home. This is a beautiful country house with its front covered with creepers. The rooms are located in the annexe, each with its own door from the outside (as in the motel). The room is in effect with a wall of exposed brick. The owners however, apparently a bit 'unscrewed, they are very stingy. The breakfast, though served in china accurate is very limited, everything is counted and, if you want orange juice, you must pay a supplement. Furthermore, the owner, immediately after breakfast, we run after claiming payment, fearing that we leave the hotel without paying. And this is not the best!
If you want to spend the night in Beaune, there are other hotels right inside the city walls, in the historical center (eg Hotel De la Poste or Hotel Des Remparts).

Semue en Auxois, Abbaye de Fontanay, Ancy Le Franc, Tanlay, Tonnerre, Chablis

Arrive at the medieval town of Semur en Auxois, which is still early. The shops are opening at that time. We visit the ancient church, but pretty much in need of assistance and then the picturesque main street where every corner is suitable for taking photos.
Then we go to the Abbaye de Montbard Fontanay in area.

L'Abbaye is much more than just Abbey as it lacks the rigor that normally characterizes a religious building. It 'all very nice and almost cheerful with fountains and canals. All this serves to instill in visitors a sense of serenity in this place almost makes you embrace the monastic life!
The road dall'Abbaye de Fontanay brings us to the next castle is the most beautiful road ever in Burgundy. The road runs along the main channel of Burgundy, and of course the scenery is postcard. Inevitable stop in the vicinity of a mobile bridge, which I could open and close! Fantastic.
Also visit the castle of Ancy Le Franc. This chateau, face far more austere than the other castles (as in Italian style), has visited many rooms inside. They visit virtually all the rooms on all 4 sides of the castle. But outsiders can not be visited. The beautiful park is only visible from the windows.


Lunch sitting on a bench overlooking the canal outside the castle.
Still very scenic walking paths, we head towards the bunk Tanlay. The castle has a moat beautiful outside but would need some maintenance. The interior, however, are all about: the rooms are fully furnished here, the visit is very long because the rooms are numerous. Fact you can visit as many as 3 floors of the castle.

Mondadori we use to guide on our journey there is also an image that attracts me a lot. I absolutely want to try this place and today we should be in the area. Come then Tonnerre visit the ditch Dionne. Really leaves me breathless. I love the wash-but this is much, much more. Here the water flows directly from the subsoil and the effect is impressive.


Last stop of the day, where accommodation and the town of Chablis.
It really is a happy place happy. Among other things come in the midst of a marketplace and therefore the town is more lively. This is an ancient village of wine growers. Chablis wine should be very popular! Among other things, the city hosts a wonderful additional wash with plenty of romantic walk along the canal that runs through the village. And 'the place that does for us!


Among other things, the hotel booked and just showed promise in the center of the village. It seems a very expensive and repeatedly check the email reservation to make sure not to be missed on the price. But fortunately we are not mistaken: the price-quality ratio is excellent (even if the clerk will then attempt to apply a higher price a few dollars because of an increase. But I insist and I get). The Hostellerie des CLOS is a very elegant hotel that is set in a cloister. The breakfast buffet in a room really fantastic, it will be abundant and accurate.
If you do not have budget problems, you can stay at Hotel du Vieux Moulin in picturesque location or, with prices much more affordable, the Hotel Bergerand's.
For dinner we choose a restaurant in the hand right in the central square of the country: AU VRAI Chablis. The food will prove to be quite good but the service (ie waiters) very poor, or rather, very long and distracted. Warning: it will be a chance but have tried to cheat the account. Controlled well.

Auxerre, Bazoches, St. Père

How sad. Today you return home.
But first there are still a couple of things to see in the morning.
First of all, the city of Auxerre. Beautiful view from the bridge and interesting (but not much) the medieval center. And it's all uphill! There are several churches to visit, but some are closed.

isit then the last castle of the trip: Chateau de Bazoches. Here the tour is free, without guides that break. The premises to be visited, though nicely decorated, not many. Unfortunately most of the castle is private and excluded from the visit, including the prettiest part of the courtyard. Pity.


Last pit stop in St. Pere since passed, we are struck by the church.


We buy lunch at the boulangerie at Vezelay which houses an important cathedral. Unfortunately we do not have time to visit the city soon and we regret not having done this since it was very pretty.
We will do it certainly in the next trip in Burgundy because we realize that we must necessarily come back because there are many other places we have not had time to visit the material.

Dani and Max
For more information, please visit our website:
http://digilander.iol.it/danidisa

COST:
Mont Blanc Tunnel: return € 40.00 (total). Warning! If you do one way the price is approximately Euro 30,00. Overnight at hotel + breakfast for two persoen: approximately Euro 90.00 total.
Entering the castle: on average 8.00 Euro
French motorways: always a fee (prices slightly higher than in Italy).
Fuel: prices slightly higher than in Italy
Dinners: costs slightly lower than in Italy.
Cost entire trip, 4 days, all inclusive: EURO 400.00 per capita.

Links:
http://www.tunnelmb.net
http://www.chateaudecormatin.com
http://www.chateau-de-dree.com/
http://www.Besancon.fr/
http://www.hotel-charlesquint.com/
http://www.Dijon.fr/
http://www.Dijon-tourism.com
http://www.chateaudesully.com/
http://www.ot-beaune.fr
http://www.hospices-de-beaune.com
http://www.lehome.fr/
http://www.ville-semur-en-auxois.fr/
http://www.abbayedefontenay.com
http://www.chateau-ancy.com/
http://www.chateaux-france.com/Tanlay
http://www.Tonnerre.fr/
http://www.hostellerie-des-clos.fr/
http://www.Chablis.net/
http://www.Auxerre.com/
http://www.chateau-Bazoches.com
http://www.saint-pere.fr/
http://www.vezelaytourisme.com