Page 134 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - France

132 BACK ROADS FRANCE

2 Aloxe-Corton
Côte d’Or, Bourgogne; 21420
The Route Touristique des Grands
Crus de Bourgogne is a signed drive
through some of Burgundy’s best
vineyards in Côtes de Beaune and
Hautes-Côtes de Beaune. The village
of Aloxe-Corton lies within the larg-
est zone of grands crus and is known
for its appellation contrôlée – Corton
is Côte de Beaune’s only grand cru
red wine appellation. In the valley
behind Aloxe-Corton is Savigny-lès-
Beaune. The château here has an
Above Cafés in a square in Beaune Above eclectic collection of fighter planes
right Vineyard of the Côte de Beaune Below 1 Beaune and red Abarth racing cars.
Houses with the Châteauneuf-en-Auxois in Côte d’Or, Bourgogne; 21200 ª Return to the D18, turn right,
the background A hive of historic streets and squares, continue to Fussey; turn right onto
ramparts, chapels and gar- the D8 and arrive in Nuits-
WHERE TO STAY dens, Beaune is much more St-Georges. Le Cassissium
than its historic hospices is in the industrial zone.
BEAUNE civils – the civil infirmaries – Go into the centre of Nuits-
Hôtel Grillon moderate recognized worldwide by St-Georges and follow direc-
Housed in a 19th-century home, with the multicoloured tile roofs tions for the autoroute. Le
a pool and large gardens, this has 17
comfortable, well-fitted rooms. of the Hôtel-Dieu, a 15th- Cassissium can be seen from
21 route de Seurre, 21200; 03 80 22 44 century convent-turned- here. It is well signposted
25; www.hotel-grillon.fr hospital for the poor. The from here on.
Hotel de la Poste Couvent des Ursulines
moderate–expensive now houses the town hall. 3 Le Cassissium
The hotel has an old-world façade From here a well-marked Advertisement for a Côte d’Or, Bourgogne; 21700
with a suave interior. It has 36 rooms, trail leads to the residence Beaune winemaker Set within the Verdenne
including three lavish suites around an of the former dukes, Hôtel fruit liqueur factory on
internal garden. There is also a formal
restaurant and a casual bistro. des Ducs, and its Musée du Vin; the Burgundy’s black cur rant route, this
3–5 boulevard Clémenceau, fine arts museum, Musée des Beaux- multimedia museum (open daily Apr–
21200 ; 03 80 22 08 11; Arts,in the Porte Marie de Bourgogne; Nov, Tue–Sat Nov–Mar) presents a
www.poste.najeti.fr the medieval market Place de la walk-through audiovisual guide
Le Cep expensive Halle; and the Square des Lions, a around the history, botany and pro-
A hotel since the 16th century, this is lovely garden located within the duction pro cess of crème de cassis.
an amalgam of ancient 14th- and ruins of a 17th-century fortress. The visit includes a film and visit to
15th-century dwellings. Today it is
known for its sheer historic luxury. ª Take the D18 from Beaune the distillation room and finishes
27 rue Maufoux, 21200; 03 80 22 35 48; towards Savigny-lès-Beaune; turn with a taste of the liqueur.
www.hotel-cep-beaune.com right onto the D115D. ª Turn left out of the road where Le
Cassissium is situated, follow direc-
tions for Dijon and then continue to
Bruant. From here turn into the D18.
Pass Pont d’Ouche and turn off to the
right at the sign for Châteauneuf.

Wine Auction
For over five centuries the Hospices
Civils de Beaune have been involved
in wine making. The hospices’ vine-
yards produce many grand cru and
premier wines. The sale of these
wines is a central part of its charity
and fundraising activities, and the
annual auction is a major event that
has been taking place over 150
years as part of the Trois Glorieuses
festival at Beaune in November.