|
Welcome to Burgundy, France.
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
Ancient stone tombs at
Quarré-les-Tombes
|
|
|
 |
|
Vineyards and Village of Véselay.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
There is a lot more to the region of France known as Burgundy than most of us know. The world famous wine region between Dijon and Beaune is as far as most of us ever get. But there is so very much more.
Much of Burgundy is a rich and fruitful plain framed by the Jura mountains on the east and the Morvan on the west. The land north of the autoroute is gently rolling and lush filled with fields and small, intense vine regions like Chablis.
But south of the freeway towards Avallon and Vézelay the land becomes very reminiscent of the Perigord with modest hills shoved up against each other with fairly tale valleys each with its own river or steam. There are many forests and clearings. Many small wine regions abound like Vezelay and the Val d'Or at Mercurey and are screaming to be discovered.
While the wine has been acclaimed around the world, the food has not enjoyed the same reputation. But
|
|
for many years, fine chefs have established themselves in Burgundy which even without the autoroute, is less than a day's drive from Paris. With the autorout, just a few hours. The lust countryside is home to the world famous Bress chicken, the Charolais, Burgundian breed of beef cattle. But that is just scraping the surface.
So we encourage you to take a week at least and explore the countryside and the cuisine of Burgundy. The establishments we recommend below will give you a fine start. Just a word of warning. Cuisine in Burgundy tends to the rich with a full use of butter, cream and other delicious ingredients that will coat the arteries without shame.
Some of the chefs below have gone out of their way to offer lighter choices on their menus. In the case of M. Loiseau, he offers a whole menu devoted to vegetables which is superb. Rich in flavor, you may not even realize there is no meat on the plate!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Relais Bernard Loiseau****, Salieu, Burgundy, the hotel
"Haute Rustique" delux hotel full of country ambiance, with spa, gym, kid's playroom, billiards, charming garden. Perfect for all seasons. Near Paris. Equipped with one of the finest restaurants in France.
click on photo more
|
|
 |
Restaurant Bernard Loisea, Saulieu, Burgundy.
One of France's top handful of 3 star chefs, Bernard Loiseau has created a mecca for both lovers of rich, full fat French cuisine and has also developed extraordinary menus for lovers of light, low fat food without sacrificing taste or interest. His 2nd in command for 20 years is maintaining and furtheer developing the menu. Still superb, maybe even better.
Five Chef Rating.
click on photo more
|
|
|
 |
La Côte Saint Jacques*****, Joigny, the hotel
This is a fine, luxury, five star hotel right on the river Yonne in the heart of Burgundy near Auxerre and Chablis. Equipped with one of the finest restaurants in France.
click on photo more
|
|
|
 |
La Côte Saint Jacques, Joigny, the restaurant
Like Loiseau, the father and son team of Michel and Jean Michel Lorain are members of a handful of chefs rated top in the world. Here is full butterfat food, exquisitely prepared. In addition, new, light dishes grace the menu for those watching their waistline. Riverside location.
Five Chef Rating.
click on photo more
|
|
|
 |
Marc Meneau - L'Espérance*****, St. Père-en-Vézelay,
Tucked away in a charming valley in the hilly region of Burgundy near the hilltop village of Vézelay, this top chef has created an establishment devoted to some of the best food in the world and rooms filled with antiques and ambiance to suit anyone with even a small streak of the romantic in them.
Five Chef Rating.
click on photo more
|
|
|
 |
Marc Meneau - Domaine du Roncemay****, Aillant-sur-Tholon.
A great new find just south of Paris! Fine cuisine at reasonable prices, lovely upscale classic French rooms,18 hole golf course and spa just a stone's throw from Paris and 3 Michelin starred chef, M. Marc Meneau's, name attached!
Three Chef Rating.
click on photo more
|
|
|
 |
Hostellerie du Moulin des Ruats***, Avallon
A charming old fashioned country hotel with all the modern comforts set in a glorious river valley near Vézelay. An excellent center for exploring all of Burgundy with an eye to your pocket book and to quality at the same time. Food, pleasant but nothing special.
No Chef Rating.
click on photo more
|
|
|
 |
Hostellerie des Clos***, Chablis
The best in Chablis, one of the high points in Burgundy. A charming but simple hotel that provides a place to sleep after enjoying some of the best food the region has to offer that runs the gamut from rich, local fare to light and elegant modern cuisine prepared to perfection.
Three Chef Rating.
click on photo for more-
|
|
|
 |
Restaurant Saint Etienne, Vézelay, Burgundy
Lovely light and tasty, modern food in a charming country village restaurant with golden decore. Owner/Chef from the Hotel George V in Paris.
Two Chef Rating.
click on photo for more-
|
|
|
 |
Restaurant & Inn- Le Pot d'Étain, nr. Avallon, Burgundy
Lovely little inn with aspirations toward upscale cuisine. You can rely on a decent meal in styles and tastes from Provence, Alsace and locally from Burgundy. Modest but pleasant rooms in a small village on a river.
One Chef Rating.
click on photo for more-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
