BEAUNE - Burgundy
The Burgundy region in eastern France is best known for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines, with some of the best sites on the Cote d'Or - or golden slopes - located around the town of Beaune. This area produces some of France's most famous (and expensive) wines, but there's plenty of opportunities to try it even you're on a budget. There are caves, or wine cellars, on every corner in Beaune, like the Marche aux Vins (2 Rue Nicholas Rolin). Here you can try wines from lots of the local producers in the cellars of an old church atmospherically lit by candlelight. For €10 you get to sample up to 18 wines, and can buy any you take a fancy to.
The town is surrounded by beautiful countryside, with rolling hills covered in vines. The Route des Grand Crus (aka the 'road of the great wines') runs through some of the most famous wine villages and vineyards. If you'd rather taste than drive, then Safari Tours in Beaune run trips around the area - with the obviously very experienced driver haring through tiny stony tracks among the vines! Our Cote de Beaune tour took in a couple of vineyards, where we learnt about wine-making in the area, before ending up with a tasting at Chateau Mersault (tour €36 for 2.5 hours, http://burgundy-tourism-safaritours.com).
What else is there to do?
The stunning Hotel Dieu des Hospices de Beaune is hidden away in a courtyard, with its turreted buildings covered in intricate multi-coloured tiles. It was originally built as a hospital for the poor and needy in the 1400s and was used as a hospital right up to the 1970s when it was turned into a museum. It also holds a world-famous wine auction each year when they sell off the wines produced on land donated to the hospital.
Where to stay, eat and drink
The Hotel des Ramparts is set in the old town next to the city walls. It's a 17th century building full of traditional French charm, with antique furniture and a pretty courtyard garden. Rooms are around €90 a night for a double.
Place du Carnot has some good bars around the square for an aperitif, and the town is renowned for its food (it's best to book a table on weekends as it gets very busy). Local specialities make good use of the region's wine, like boeuf Bourguignon and coq au vin. The restaurant Ma Cuisine (Passage Sainte-Helene) is tucked away down an alleyway but is worth searching out as it's a favourite of local winemakers for its regional cuisine and a huge selection of 700+ wines!
How to get there
Beaune is on a direct train route from Paris Gare du Lyon and the journey takes around 2 hours (return tickets from £60 from www.raileurope.co.uk). There are plenty of caves and a few wineries accessible from town, but you need to hire a car or take a tour (see above) to explore more of the area.
REIMS - Champagne
The Champagne region is known throughout the world for it's bubbles, and the city of Reims is the region's capital. It's packed full of some of the biggest names in champagne production - from Taittinger to Veuve Cliquot and Pommery. Many of the champagne houses lie in and around the city and offer guided tours so you can see for yourself how it's made, as well as getting to try some. I did the Taittinger tour, which took us through the cellars and the bottling plant, as well as the maze of cellars which lie underneath the whole city, stacked high with thousands of bottles of champagne. The tour ended up with a tasting and cost €10 for one hour (see www.taittinger.com).
What else is there to do?
Reims' huge Cathedral de Notre Dame is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It's gothic style building has some spectacular stained-glass windows, and has been witness to some important moments in the history of France as it's held the coronation of 32 kings through the years. You can climb up to the top of the cathedral's tower for views across the city which are worth the 250 stairs you have to climb!
Where to stay, eat and drink
The Best Western Hotel de la Paix is right in the centre of town. It's modern in style and well-equipped, with a good pool and bar. It's been nicely converted with a lot more character than you'd think, and has reasonable rooms around €120 a night.
Place Drouet d'Erlon has plenty of places to eat and drink, and is a good spot to sit with a glass of champagne as you watch the world go by. There are lots of restaurants with tables spilling out onto the pavements. Le Continental (95 Place Drouet d'Erlon) serves traditional French dishes alongside great views in rooms decorated with gold and marble.
How to get there
Reims is easily accessible from Paris, which has plenty of international flights, as well as the Eurostar from London (from £69 return at www.eurostar.com). Trains run from Paris Gare de l"Est to Reims and take 45 minutes (return tickets from £25). Its a relatively compact city with several champagne houses within walking distance of the centre so you can get by without a car.