Burgundy: address book

GETTING THERE

The SNCF serves Dijon from Paris with around fifteen daily return TGV services, some of which stop at Montbard. Journey time: 1 hour 35 minutes. Internet : www.sncf.com

TO FIND OUT MORE

Burgundy/Franche-Comté Regional Tourism Committee
La City - 4, rue Gabriel Plançon. 25044 Besançon Cedex Internet : www.bourgogne-tourisme.com

HOTELS

CHÂTEAU DE GILLY
On the route des Grands Crus, very close to the Château de Clos de Vougeot, the Grandes Étapes Françaises group establishment has taken over a Cistercian site: a priory fortified in the 14th century, devastated in the 16th century, then converted into the residence of the abbots of Cîteaux in the 17th century. Almost right up against the village church - a Cistercian church, needless to say - Château de Gilly has been restored and restructured, and is now set in verdant French-style parkland. 48 rooms and suites, some in two independent pavilions. Tasty cuisine and food and wine pairings concocted by Frank Paget, formerly of the Jules Verne in Paris, in the restaurant housed in a 13th-century cellar. Seven lounges and meeting rooms, including the 170 m2 Salle des Tapisseries for 160 people in banquet configuration. Private outdoor area for a welcome cocktail. Swimming pool in the garden with a river running through it.

21640 Gilly-lès-Cîteaux. Tel: 03 80 62 89 98 Internet: www.grandesetapes.com

CHÂTEAU SAINTE SABINE
Around thirty kilometres from Beaune, set in eight hectares of parkland where fallow deer and hares roam, this graceful 16th-century château is just a stone's throw from the Burgundy canal, opposite the village of Chateauneuf. The establishment, affiliated to Châteaux et Hôtels Collection, was completely restored in 2012 by its new owners. The attentive, friendly staff and cosy decor, combining wood panelling and painted ceilings with wisely contemporary features, invite you to linger in the large lounge or adjoining billiards room. 22 spacious bedrooms with elegant bathrooms. The restaurant, with its terrace, serves delicious traditional cuisine using seasonal produce. Three flexible meeting rooms for up to 80 people. Heated outdoor swimming pool.

21320 Sainte-Sabine. Tel: 03 80 49 22 01 Internet: www.saintesabine.com

RESTAURANT

ABBEY OF LA BUSSIÈRE
Just 15 minutes from Chateauneuf-en-Auxois, this is one of the best restaurants in the region. And what's more, it's set in exceptional surroundings: a sumptuous seven-hectare park housing a twelfth-century Cistercian abbey that was remodelled in the nineteenth century. Acquired by an English couple and transformed into an enchanting hotel with 20 rooms and suites affiliated to the Relais et Châteaux chain, the abbey now exudes an irresistible British charm. Deep armchairs and thick carpets sit side by side with Cistercian vaults and Gothic sculpture... In both the Bistrot des monoines and the gastronomic restaurant - 1131, the year the abbey was founded - chef Guillaume Royer offers seasonal cuisine that revisits Burgundy's terroir with a talent that has been awarded a Michelin star. The abbey's orangery has been converted into a seminar room for up to 60 people. The three lounges and two restaurants are available for private hire.

21360 La Bussière-sur-Ouche Tel: 03 80 49 02 29 Internet : www.abbayedelabussiere.fr

PRIVATE AREAS

FONTENAY ABBEY
This jewel of Cistercian architecture welcomes groups wishing to take advantage of private tours and also offers several lunch options in its gardens. For larger events, with 200 participants or more, a range of options are available, including the possibility of organising a seminar. An ultra-modern conference centre, Le Pantographe, recently opened its doors in Venarey-les-Laumes, 15 minutes from the site.

21500 Montbard - Tel: 03 80 92 15 00 Internet : www.abbayedefontenay.com

CHÂTEAU DU CLOS DE VOUGEOT
Familiar with the spectacular banquets organised by the Confrérie des tastevins, the team at Château du Clos de Vougeot puts its expertise at the service of businesses, whether it's a cocktail party in the courtyard of honour or a lunch for 150 guests in the salons of the Renaissance wing, or a seminar or gala evening in the immense 12th-century cellar designed by the Cistercians for up to 570 guests. Chef Olivier Walch, a master of the oeuf en meurette, the traditional dish of Burgundian cuisine, favours haute cuisine accompanied by fine wines from the château's exceptional cellar.

21640 Vougeot - Tel: 03 80 62 82 84 Internet : www.closdevougeot.fr

CHÂTEAU DE COMMARIN
The beautiful château belonging to the de Vogüé family is open for receptions. Companies can organise a lunch or dinner for up to 250 guests in the 18th-century stables or, for larger groups, in tents set up in the château's English-style park.

21320 Pouilly en Auxois - Tel: 03 80 49 23 67 - Internet : www.commarin.com

CHÂTEAU D'ANCY-LE-FRANC
Louis XIV is said to have stayed in this Renaissance palace built by a clever Italian architect: a showcase designed down to the finest detail, with luminous galleries and one of the finest collections of wall paintings from the 16th and 17th centuries. A site for exceptional events, with 800 m2 of indoor space and more than 15,000 m2 of outdoor space.

89160 Ancy-le-Franc - Tel: 03 86 75 14 63 - Internet : www.chateau-ancy.com

MUSEOPARK ALESIA
Just 1 hour from Dijon, the centre, which opened in 2012, immerses visitors in the famous battle. The Interpretation Centre includes a 123-seat auditorium and three meeting rooms for 30 to 50 participants.

21150 Alise-Sainte-Reine Tel: 03 80 89 95 20 Internet: www.alesia.com

GUIDES
Guide Vert Bourgogne, Michelin. Le Routard Bourgogne, Hachette.