Christmas In Burgundy

Christmas in Burgundy offers a magical retreat from the commercial frenzy that often dominates the season elsewhere. Here, among the dormant vineyards and medieval villages, the holiday reveals itself in quiet traditions, exceptional gastronomy, and a pace that invites true celebration.

As December arrives, the historic towns of Burgundy transform with twinkling lights reflecting off cobblestone streets. The Christmas market in Dijon's Place de la Libération brings artisans from across the region displaying handcrafted ornaments, wooden toys, and regional specialties.

The true magic of a Burgundian Christmas lies in its culinary traditions. While Paris empties, Burgundy fills with French families returning to ancestral homes for elaborate meals that stretch late into the night.

A Burgundian Christmas centers around exceptional food, wine and the table. French families return to celebrate with multi-course meals that showcase regional specialties. The Christmas Eve feast typically begins with fresh oysters paired with local white wines, a classic combination that marks the start of holiday celebrations.

The meal continues with foie gras on brioche, followed by escargots in garlic butter. Poulet de Bresse, the celebrated AOC-protected blue-footed chicken, often serves as the main course, accompanied by local truffles. A selection of local cheeses might follow – Comté, Brillat-Savarin, and Époisses, before a long walk and then collapsing in an armchair by a roaring fire.

The days between Christmas and New Year bring peaceful reflection. The landscape, stripped to its essential beauty, invites contemplation during walks in the vines.

Christmas in Burgundy reminds us that the greatest luxury is time – time to savor exceptional food and wine, to connect with loved ones, and to experience a celebration deeply rooted in place. Join us in December and discover Christmas as it was meant to be celebrated – with authenticity, warmth, and the timeless pleasures of Burgundian hospitality.

A Winter Retreat in Burgundy

While summer brings cyclists to Burgundy's rolling hills and vineyard-lined routes, winter unveils a different, equally enchanting side of this famed wine region. As temperatures drop and the vines retreat into dormancy, Burgundy transforms into a sanctuary of slow living and sensory pleasures.

The bare, twisted vines stand like sculptures against the winter sky, their silhouettes creating a delicate lacework across the landscape. Morning frosts dust the Côte d'Or with silvery crystals, while occasional snow blankets the hills in pristine white. The crowds have dispersed, leaving behind a tranquil countryside where you can hear the crunch of your footsteps on frozen ground and distant church bells echoing across the valleys.

After exploring the winter landscape, there's nothing more satisfying than returning to a hot bath and a crackling fire. Settle into a comfortable armchair with a good book and a glass of the region's finest Pinot Noir. The perfect atmosphere for reflection.

Winter in Burgundy is when the region's hearty cuisine truly comes into its own. The iconic Boeuf Bourguignon simmers slowly for hours, the meat becoming tender in its rich red wine sauce. Local restaurants that buzz with tourists in summer now offer unhurried, intimate dining experiences where chefs have time to chat and share special off-menu creations.

This is also when winemakers have time for visitors. The harvest is complete, the new vintage safely in barrels, and the pace of life slows. Doors to small family domaines open more readily, and tastings can stretch into hours of stories and shared passion.

Our winter retreats offer a different kind of cycling holiday—one where the bike might stay racked for days at a time as you surrender to Burgundy's winter charms. It's a season for restoration, for deep connection to place, and for discovering that sometimes the most memorable journeys happen when we stay still long enough to truly see what's around us.

Book your winter escape at The Hungry Cyclist Lodge and discover why those who know Burgundy best often cherish it most in winter.

The Noble Rot Guide To Burgundy - The Financial Times

My Burgundian bosom is swelling with pride after featuring in Dan Keelings Guided to Burgundy in The Financial Times.

Cycling & Sleeping In Wine Country - Spectator World

Some fun words about the joys of cycling and drinking wine in Burgundy in The Spectator from the enchanting Calla Jones Corner.

Hazy Late Summer Cycling in Burgundy

Sometimes you can just get too close to what you do, and it’s the keen eye of others that reminds you its all going well. Enjoy this bucolic piece of videography from the Jasper Wheeler @jasper.tosh

The Hungry Cyclist Lodge on France Télévisions

Last summer we had the pleasure of hosting France Télévisions at The Hungry Cyclist Lodge. Taking part in their regional France 3 showcase programme La tête à l'endroit, their question this week was whether Beaune and its surrounding villages was still the Burgundian capital for Epicureans.

Joining the illustrious company of Maison Joseoh Drouhin, Les Hospices de Beaune and Bouchard Père & Fils, we hosted the France 3 crew for a tour of the gardens, a light lunch on the terrace and a bicycle tour in the vineyards on our vintage tandem.

To enjoy the episode either click this link or the image below. Enjoy!

Watching The Wheels - A Cycling Holiday In Burgundy.

It’s often hard to describe in words what we offer our guests at The Hungry Cyclist Lodge. So this summer we teamed-up with good-friends, pulled out a drone and went for bike ride in Burgundy.

If you are thinking about a visit to our little corner of the world, have a look at the music video we put together with a little help from John Lennon.

Enjoy Watching The Wheels.