Bourgogne-Franche-Comté

Chateauneuf en Auxois
© Alain DOIRE / Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Tourisme

the former regions

Burgundy (Bourgogne)

The former administrative region of Burgundy (Bourgogne) comprised the departments of Côte-d'Or; Doubs; Nièvre; Saône-et-Loire, and Yonne.

Burgundy is one of France's main wine producing areas. It is well known for both its red and white wines, mostly made from Pinot noir and Chardonnay grapes, respectively, although other grape varieties can be found, including Gamay, Aligote, Pinot blanc, and Sauvignon blanc. The region is divided into the Côte-d'Or, where the most expensive and prized Burgundies are found, and Beaujolais, Chablis, the Côte Chalonnaise and Mâcon. The reputation and quality of the top wines, together with the fact that they are often produced in small quantities, has led to high demand and high prices, with some Burgundies ranking among the most expensive wines in the world.

With regard to cuisine, the region is famous for the Burgundian dishes coq au vin, beef bourguignon, and époisses de Bourgogne cheese.

Tourist sites of Burgundy include the Rock of Solutré, the Tournus cathedral, Cluny, Brancion, the castles of Cormatin and Couches, the palace of the dukes of Burgundy in Dijon, the Pézanin Arboretum (in Dompierre-les-Ormes), and Vézelay abbey.

Dijon terraces
© Alain DOIRE / Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Tourisme

Franche-Comté

This comparatively little-known region bordering Switzerland, shares many of its neighbour's characteristics.  The component departments are Haute-Saône (70), Doubs (25) and Jura (39), and its principal town is Besançon.

To the north lie the Vosges mountains, and the Jura to the south. Between the two is a supreme landscape of rolling farmland, dense pine forest and mountains.

Lacking the stature of the Alps, the Jura mountains are nonetheless popular with skiers and walkers, with many fine walking trails on the lower slopes.

In Franche-Comté, architecture and nature unite to create an exceptional canvas. An individual sense of aesthetics and unique traditions closely linked with the social and economic history of the region has given birth to an abundance of distinguishing characteristics, notably its traditional and religious architecture.

Four inscriptions are registered as World Heritage Sites: The Royal Saltpan of Arc-et-Senans, a masterpiece of industrial architecture; the citadel of Besançon; Notre-Dame-du-Haut, and the Saltworks of Salins-les-Bains.