villas, cottages, and apartments of burgundy

The Burgundy region of eastern France is a gourmet's delight. Even the names of the towns and villages evoke the tastes of good food and wine -- Dijon, Meursault, Chablis. The provincial capital, Dijon, is as well known for its outstanding restaurants as it is for its beautifully preserved medieval architecture, including a 13th-century cathedral. The River Saône and many canals wind through Burgundy's river valleys, fertile ground for acres of abundant grapes.

From Dijon south toward Beaune, then on through the Beaujolais area toward Lyon, you will pass through some of the best vineyards in France, perhaps in all of Europe. Opportunities for wine tasting abound, especially in the market town of Beaune. Depending on where you stay, you can plan a wide range of day trips -- to the forests and lakes of the Morvan Regional Park, just west of Dijon; or to many picturesque small towns, some of which are home to Roman ruins or beautiful Romanesque architecture. And with the TGV express train from Dijon, you can easily visit Paris for the day.

We feature homes in and around many typical towns and villages in Burgundy, including Beaune. Your choices include charming country cottages and converted farm buildings, traditional village houses, and one-of-a-kind manors and luxurious châteaux. In the lower price range, we offer gîtes, inexpensive properties in the nationwide French system of private farm cottages and other rural homes.

Choose a property on the outskirts of a small town or village, or in the country, perhaps close to a river or surrounded by vineyards, with superb views across the countryside. (Some homes are part of working vineyard estates.) A number of our larger villas feature their own private pools. Golf, horseback riding, swimming, and tennis are widely available throughout Burgundy.