BurgundY starts just south of Dijon - less than two hours from Paris, by road or rail - stretching almost to Lyon. The easiest journey is to fly Dublin-Paris with Air France by CityJet (four flights daily each way, fares from £99, reservations tel 01 605 0383), arriving into the new Charles de Gaulle terminal 2F; you walk downstairs to the TGV. Choose flight times to tie in with train links to Dijon, and onwards to Beaune.
Cycling tours
Headwater runs a Best of Burgundy cycling tour; with baggage transported; several departure dates each week between mid-May and mid-September. Information: Leopardstown Tours, tel 01 295 8901.
Where to stay
In Beaune, Hotel Le Cep, tel 0033 380 223548 is a treat retreat, double rooms from FF800. Also centrally located is the cosy, family-run Hotel des Remparts, tel 0033 380 249494; FF290-470. In Nuits-St Georges, try La Gentilhommiere, tel 0033 380 611206, a converted 16th-century hunting lodge; doubles about FF450. In Auxerre, Hotel Le Maxime, tel 0033 386 521419, is close to the old town, doubles about FF450.
What to read
In general: Insight Guide to Burgundy (APA). On wine: Burgundy by Anthony Hanson (Faber) - authoritative and comprehensive. The Great Domaines of Burgundy by Remington Norman (Kyle Cathie) - large-format survey of the stars.