Burgundy

Burgundy : The Rhone Valley : French Alps : Auvergne and the Massif Central

Car Hire (main collection points only) : Lyon Airport : Lyon Railway

Less than an hour from the roar of Paris traffic is the calm opulent province of Burgundy, the land of wine, food and dukes which saw itself as the heart of Europe in medieval times.

Modern Burgundians believe that paradise begins in the kitchen and ends in the wine cellar, quoting a famous saying "better a good meal than fine clothes".

The city of Dijon was an important political and religious centre during the 15th century and has several fine museums and art galleries, as well as the Palais des Ducs, once the home of the Dukes of Burgundy.

There are also elegant restored town houses to be visited, dating from the 15th to the 18th century, and a 13th century cathedral.

Southeast of Dijon, lies the French Jura Mountains.

Running north to south along the French-Swiss border and rising in steps from 245 to 1785 meters (805-5856 ft), the Jura are readily accessible and make an excellent region for summer vacations and winter sports.

In this area you can obtain your hire car from Dijon Railway Station.