In Côte-d'Or, vineyard plots, Roman history and protected natural areas meet a variety of ways to explore on foot. The themes featured also differ in whether they concern a specific place, a protected area or a route.
Wine landscapes and history
The UNESCO Climats comprise 1,247 vineyard plots, precisely delineated according to geological, hydrographic and atmospheric characteristics. This gives the wine landscape a distinctive cultural dimension: its classification takes account not only of the soil, but also of water conditions and the atmosphere. The Route du Cassis de Bourgogne offers a different focus. This 55-kilometre food and cultural heritage route connects Nuits-Saint-Georges and Dijon.
In Côte-d'Or, the MuséoParc Alésia explores the battle between Caesar and Vercingetorix, interpreting it through both Roman and Gallic history. An augmented reality experience brings the fortifications to life and places visitors on the Roman side of the battle. Digital visitor systems may be updated; check which elements are currently available before you travel.
Nature and visiting conditions
The villages and forests of the Parc national de forêts are open to visitors free of charge all year round. At the Marais des Brosses, renewed paths and wooden walkways improve safe public access while also helping protect the marsh. The offer of a freely accessible natural area and the careful development of access to a sensitive area illustrate two different aspects of spending time outdoors.
The Réserve naturelle nationale de la Combe Lavaux is a 487-hectare protected area with iconic landscapes. A management plan permits low-impact activities while protecting the species found there. Before visiting, check locally for the applicable rules and permitted activities. The Forêt du Val Suzon has held the Forêt d’exception label since 2016. Côte-d'Or also has 13 designated Espaces naturels sensibles, managed by the Département. These labels and responsibilities describe protection and management; the specific visiting conditions are what matter when planning your trip.
Hiking and other experiences
For longer hikes in the wider Haute-Marne–Côte-d’Or area, the Chemin de la Belle étoile is accompanied by a topoguide for ten days of hiking on a GR de Pays. Another option is the GR des Grands Crus de Bourgogne: it comprises 87 kilometres of walking trails through vineyards between southern Dijon and Santenay. These details serve different planning needs: the first option focuses on a hiking period, while the second specifies the route length. The two trails should not be considered a single combined route.
In the wider Haute-Marne–Côte-d’Or area, Agents of the Parc national de forêts offer guided nature discovery outings in summer, including opportunities to learn about fauna and flora. The programme is seasonal; check the dates before travelling. Free downloads are available for the routes listed in the Balades en Bourgogne app. The app's availability and content may change. Nature activities in Côte-d'Or also include horseback riding, forest therapy, sailing and canoeing; individual providers and activities may change.
If you are looking for a hotel, first consider which of these different interests will shape your trip: wine landscapes and cultural heritage, Roman history, protected nature or longer trails. The Route du Cassis de Bourgogne offers a combination of food and cultural heritage; the hiking trails have their own measures of duration and length. Use these differences to choose your focus, and plan individual activities and their conditions accordingly.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Aisey-Sur-Seine, Bèze, Bligny-Le-Sec, Brazey-En-Morvan, Buffon, Bussy-Le-Grand, Châtellenot, Chaugey, Diancey, Échalot, Grignon, Jours-Lès-Baigneux, La Roche-En-Brenil, Laperrière-Sur-Saône, Marcenay, Marcheseuil, Meuilley, Missery, Oigny, Poncey-Sur-L'ignon, Pont Royal, Puligny-Montrachet, Seurre, Vandenesse-En-Auxois, Salives, Bessey-En-Chaume, Eringes, Heuilley-Sur-Saône, Montberthault, Créancey, Flammerans, Vougeot, Vosne-Romanée, Talant, Sombernon, Saulieu, Quétigny, Pouilly-En-Auxois, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Montbard, Montagny-Lès-Beaune, Meursault, Marsannay-La-Côte, Longvic, Levernois, Jossigny, Gilly-Lès-Cîteaux, Fontaine-Lès-Dijon, Flagey-Échézeaux, Dijon, Daix, Chorey, Chenôve, Aloxe-Corton, Ahuy, Montliot-Et-Courcelles, Semur-En-Auxois, Beaune, Villeferry, Nantoux, Saint-Apollinaire, Morey-Saint-Denis, Sennecey-Lès-Dijon, Marcilly-Sur-Tille, Champagny, Couchey, Thury, Bligny-Sur-Ouche, Terrefondrée, Mont-Saint-Jean, Saussey, Champagne-Sur-Vingeanne, Vielverge, Curtil-Vergy, Messanges, Gevrey-Chambertin, Chambolle-Musigny, Sainte-Sabine, Is-Sur-Tille, Losne, Savigny-Lès-Beaune, Courban, Bouilland, Saulon-La-Rue, Arnay-Le-Duc, Montigny-Sur-Aube, Francheville, Fénay, Lamarche-Sur-Saône, Sainte-Marie-La-Blanche, Moloy, Labergement-Lès-Seurre, Belleneuve, Ménétreux-Le-Pitois, Liernais, Châtillon-Sur-Seine, Epoisses, Pontailler-Sur-Saône, Meursanges, Barbirey-Sur-Ouche, Grésigny-Sainte-Reine, Jours-En-Vaux, Baubigny, Nolay Canton, Corgoloin, Selongey, Saint-Seine-L'abbaye, Pommard, Saint-Philibert, Auxonne, Jouey, Fleurey-Sur-Ouche, La Chaume, Villy-Le-Moutier, Meloisey, Ruffey-Lès-Echirey, Perrigny-Lès-Dijon, Santenay, Gerland, Chaudenay-La-Ville, Val-Suzon, Bessey-Lès-Cîteaux, Saint-Marc-Sur-Seine, Villers-La-Faye, Auxey-Duresses, Flavigny-Sur-Ozerain, Saint-Seine-Sur-Vingeanne, Monthelie, Agencourt, Rouvray, Hauteville-Lès-Dijon, Vianges, Ménessaire, La Motte-Ternant, Blaisy-Bas, Laignes, Venarey-Les-Laumes, Corgengoux, La Rochepot, Fontaine-Française, Marigny-Le-Cahouët, Marey-Lès-Fussey, Villars-Et-Villenotte, Corberon, Saint-Victor-Sur-Ouche, Comblanchien, Mesmont, Tillenay, Maconge, Chazilly, Lanthes, Premeaux-Prissey, Merceuil, Chassagne-Montrachet, Ladoix-Serrigny, Fixin, Volnay, Pernand-Vergelesses, Saint-Aubin, Quincey, Brochon, Échevronne, Prusly-Sur-Ource, Arcenant, Vignoles, Minot, Voudenay, Maligny, Bellenod-Sur-Seine, Pouillenay, Corcelles-Les-Arts, Essey, Bressey-Sur-Tille, Manlay, Chaudenay-Le-Château, Messigny-Et-Vantoux, Touillon, Molinot, Chevigny-Saint-Sauveur, Channay, Arc-Sur-Tille, Précy-sous-Thil, Vitteaux, Marigny-lès-Reullée, Velars-sur-Ouche, Clomot, Gevrolles, La Bussière-sur-Ouche, Fauverney, Charencey, Lusigny-sur-Ouche, Rochefort-sur-Brévon, Saint-Jean-de-Losne, Argilly, Ruffey-lès-Beaune, Beurizot, Magny-lès-Aubigny, Vertault, Brianny, Bure-les-Templiers, Recey-sur-Ource, Thenissey, Semezanges, Corcelles-lès-Cîteaux, Longecourt-lès-Culêtre, Asnières-en-Montagne, Genlis, Plombières-lès-Dijon, Boncourt-le-Bois, Bligny-lès-Beaune, Aisy-sous-Thil, Corsaint, Planay, Spoy, Viserny, Pasques, Chemin-d'Aisey, Chailly-sur-Armançon, Cessey-sur-Tille, Ivry-en-Montagne, Ternant, Chanceaux.
For the broader travel overview: Burgundy.
