Chorey combines a documented architectural history with wine experiences and an outing along the Route des Grands Crus. Records of the Église Saint-Luc date back to 1150; at Château de Chorey, buildings, towers and a garden form the described ensemble. The wine experiences come in different formats: Cave du Bareuzai offers wine by the glass and group tastings, while Domaine Fernandez offers tastings and direct sales at the estate. A moped outing adds a route to these discoveries.
The architectural history of Église Saint-Luc
Église Saint-Luc has been documented in Chorey-lès-Beaune since 1150. The present-day building is an extension of a formerly small chapel facing east. Traces of this chapel are visible in the eastern arm of the transept. The church’s early documented history and its present-day appearance therefore represent different stages in its history.
The extension, begun in 1766, determined the layout of the present-day church: the former chapel became an arm of the transept, and the nave was built perpendicular to it. The floor plan follows the shape of a Latin cross, with the nave and transept at right angles to each other. The architecture thus shows the transformation from a small chapel to an expanded church.
The choir contains a main altar from the 1770s, attributed to the Bidermann brothers. It adds an element of interior furnishing to the building’s history, with its attribution and approximate date forming part of its context.
Château de Chorey and its grounds
Several distinct architectural features come together at Château de Chorey: the complex includes an L-shaped main building, two freestanding towers and a dovecote. The estate is set on a large plot. The buildings are on the west side and are partly surrounded by water-filled moats; to the east lies a landscaped garden surrounded by vines.
The contrast between the buildings, the moats and the garden makes the layout of the estate an architectural feature in its own right. The château is one of the sights and places to visit in the Pays Beaunois. Check whether a visit is possible before you arrive.
Wine tastings and local production
For tastings booked in advance, Cave du Bareuzai offers platters of regional charcuterie and/or cheese. Group tastings include a detailed explanation of the wines being tasted and a presentation of the wine-growing landscape designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you are considering this group format, confirm the programme before you arrive.
Guests can also sample a selection of wines by the glass at Cave du Bareuzai, either on the terrace or in the cellar. This differs from the group format, which includes explanations of the wines and a presentation of the wine-growing landscape. Check the opening arrangements before you arrive.
Domaine Fernandez produces Chorey-les-Beaune red wine. Tastings on site and direct sales at the estate are available. This means visitors can not only sample the wine but also buy directly from the producer. Confirm the current arrangements before you arrive.
An outing along the Route des Grands Crus
Les Mobylettes de Chorey offers outings along the Route des Grands Crus, following routes put together by Marc. This is a separate way to focus on the route and the ride, rather than on architecture or tasting formats. Check availability before you arrive.
When choosing activities, a clear comparison can help: Église Saint-Luc and Château de Chorey offer different architectural insights; the wine experiences differ in format and in their connection to production or the wine-growing landscape. The moped outing adds a set route to these options.
Discover more destinations: Savigny-Lès-Beaune, Fénay, Hauteville-Lès-Dijon, Messanges, Flammerans, Pontailler-Sur-Saône, Sainte-Marie-La-Blanche, Créancey.
For the main travel overview: Cote-Dor.
