Embrace a slower pace of exploration on this walking holiday combining the best of Burgundy’s revered vineyards and timeless treasures

Your walk and tour holiday begins by meeting the Tour Manager and group at London St Pancras, ready to board the Eurostar to Paris.

Travelling in spacious Plus class, we enjoy a light meal at our seats as we head to the French capital. From here, we continue by First Class rail to Dijon and by local train to our hotel in Beaune. With a stunning Old Town that encapsulates the charm of historic France, Beaune became a centre of power in the 14th century under the Dukes of Burgundy. Nowadays, it is world famous as the capital of the Burgundy wine region as many of the area's major merchants have their headquarters in the city.

After checking in to our four-star hotel a short distance from the centre, we head out to a local restaurant for our first dinner together this evening.

Our explorations of this popular region begin after breakfast this morning with our first walks, escorted by expert local guides. There will be a choice of two routes on each walking day and today's both begin at our hotel and end in Meursault. The shorter option is 5.8 miles (9.3km), with the longer one being 7.5 miles (12km).

Leaving Beaune behind us, we are soon on the Route des Grands Crus, walking amid vineyards stretching high up the western slopes and across the eastern plains. Whether you have chosen the lower or higher route, your group will pass through the narrow streets of Pommard, renowned for its deep red pinot noir wines.

Our destination today is charming Meursault which, unlike its neighbour, is known for iconic chardonnay whites. We stroll around this historic village, viewing its fortified town hall and grand limestone houses, and then head to a private winery for a tasting of local varieties. After transferring back to Beaune, we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

View this tour's walking maps and elevation profiles here.

A short train journey after breakfast takes us to Chagny in the Côte Chalonnaise region of Burgundy.

The first route option today is 5.7 miles (9.1km) and is flatter than the second one (7.5 miles or 12km). Both lead us through a gentle landscape of wooded slopes, rolling meadows and vineyards, with views stretching across the wide plain of the River Saône. Our destination is the Château de Rully, a 12th-century fortress that has remained in the same family since its construction. With attractive corner towers and its location perched on a rocky spur, it stands out amid a sea of vines that produce celebrated chardonnay wines.

Here, we stop for a holiday highlight as we enjoy a tour before savouring a gastronomic picnic lunch paired with wines from the estate. Returning to Beaune, the rest of the day is free and you can explore the town and dine in one of its restaurants this evening.

View this tour's walking maps and elevation profiles here.

You are free to uncover Beaune at your own pace after breakfast today. Filled with beautiful medieval architecture, you can seek out historic sites such as the Basilica of Our Lady.

One of the town's most incredible attractions is the Hospices de Beaune. As the headquarters of Burgundian wine, it is a symbol of the region and was founded in 1443 as a hospital for the poor. Each year since 1859, a charity auction has been held on the third Sunday of November to raise funds by selling leading wines and rare vintages. Blending Gothic and Flemish architecture - from a time when the Dukes of Burgundy ruled Flanders - the focal point is its colourful glazed tile roofs with dormer windows looking out on to a spacious courtyard.

Alternatively, travel by train to Dijon, the former capital of the wealthy Duchy of Burgund. In the grand Place de la Libération, a crescent of honey-hued restaurants and bars look out to the medieval Palace of the Dukes and Estates of Burgundy.

An excursion by coach today reveals two of Burgundy's most remarkable destinations.

Travelling through the Auxois Valley, we reach the oldest preserved Cistercian abbey in the world. Founded in 1118 by St Bernard de Clairvaux, the spectacular Fontenay Abbey is a UNESCO World Heritage site. On a guided tour, we view the Romanesque church and decorative cloisters as well as the immaculate gardens. Afterwards, we travel to Flavigny-sur-Ozerain, enjoying lunch at a ferme-auberge, a traditional farmhouse inn serving authentic cuisine.

As one of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France, Flavigny has a history of sweet making stretching back a thousand years. Limestone buildings with shuttered windows line the narrow streets of this quintessentially French village that became an unwitting film star in 2000 as the setting for the adaptation of Joanne Harris' Chocolat, starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp. On our explorations, we visit the famous Anis de Flavigny shop to taste the aniseed-flavoured sweets.

On today's walks, our attention turns to the northern part of the Côte d'Or wine region, known as the Côte de Nuits, famed for its robust pinot noir varieties. After breakfast, we travel by local train to Nuits-Saint-George and embark on our two optional routes - one is 5.9 miles (9.4km) and the other is 7.5 miles (12km).

We begin by exploring the charming village of Nuits-Saint-Georges, overlooked by its distinctive belfry and the chequered tower of St-Denis, before following scenic routes amidst some of the world's finest grands cru vineyards to Vosne-Romanée and Chambolle-Musigny.

Both routes visit the prestigious Château du Clos de Vougeot, a 16th-century castle that is now the headquarters of the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin - an exclusive society whose aim is to promote Burgundian wine. Afterwards, we continue to a nearby winery for our final tasting of the week and then return to Beaune to celebrate a wonderful holiday with dinner at a local restaurant this evening.

View this tour's walking maps and elevation profiles here.

Walks through beautiful Burgundian countryside and gleaming vineyards have allowed us to sample famous wines as we have explored one of France's most scenic regions. From our base in medieval Beaune, at the centre of the wine trade, we have enjoyed three hikes and visited renowned locations including Fontenay Abbey and the village of Flavigny-sur-Ozerain, best known for its starring role in the film, Chocolat.

Leaving Beaune after breakfast this morning, we retrace our route to Dijon and travel to Paris by First Class rail. Boarding the Eurostar in Plus class, we enjoy a light meal enroute to London, where your walk and tour holiday comes to an end.

Walking with Great Rail Journeys is about blending scenic walks and enjoyable excursions into one memorable holiday.

Choosing the right holiday and grade for your ability is essential for your enjoyment and safety. All our walking holidays are designed for our Level 4 Active Adventurers. You will be an active person more than capable of walking the distances and ascents, descents and types of terrain described for the walk options.

The walks will cover distances of between 3mi/5km and 8mi/13km, and each walking day has a choice of two walks that cater for different levels of ability and fitness.

You should consider your fitness levels and be confident that you'll be able to manage the distances, ascents, descents and types of terrain described for the walk options that you're likely to choose. Remember - each walking holiday will include walks of varying grades.

Our Classic range is what we're known for. Enjoy curated moments with plenty of inclusions. Centrally located hotels, premium travel options and engaging group tours with a seasoned expert are included. You'll be in groups with an average of 20-25 travellers and a maximum of 30*. *Scandinavian and Worldwide tours are on average 30-35 and a maximum of 40.

If your tour is marked as Small Group, enjoy a more immersive holiday experience, exploring with a like-minded group of 16-25 travellers, with an average of 22.

Step aboard the high-speed international rail service, linking London St Pancras to Paris and Lille in France, Brussels in Belgium and Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

Eurostar's Standard Class coaches feature two seats on either side of the central aisle, most of which are arranged in an 'airline' seating configuration with drop-down tray tables. There are two tables for four per carriage. Passengers travelling in Eurostar Standard Class coaches can take advantage of the Bar-Buffet which sells a range of snacks, meals, and hot and cold drinks - including Champagne!

The highest class of Eurostar travel available for leisure customers is Plus class. In your dedicated Plus carriage you'll find a less dense seat configuration, meaning the seats are larger and you have ample space to relax and stretch out. As part of the service, you'll enjoy complimentary drinks and refreshments, served at your seat by friendly, helpful waiting staff.

For the class of travel used on your chosen tour, please refer to the 'What's Included' section of the tour page.

Just steps away from the Porte Saint-Nicolas and medieval centre of Beaune, this 4-Star hotel is ideally located for exploring Burgundy. Set in a historic building, guests can unwind on the terrace overlooking the quiet garden or while sipping a drink in the bar. Air-conditioned guest rooms are sympathetically decorated and come equipped with free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, safety deposit box, minibar, ironing facilities, tea & coffee-making equipment, complimentary toiletries and hairdryer.

Spending a night in London before your tour can make such a difference to the first day of your holiday - you can arrive in the capital in good time, relaxed and ready to join your Tour Manager the next morning. You may even want to take in a show on the West End or dine in one of London's famous restaurants. Perhaps on your return to London, you would like to break your journey with an overnight stay before continuing home.

We can book a wide range of hotels in central London or, for our holidays beginning with a flight, at Heathrow, Gatwick, or Manchester Airport for the night before or after your holiday. If you require a quote for single occupancy at any of the hotels, please contact us on 01904 734 805.

Buying tickets for UK train services can be a tricky business - there are so many fares to choose from, each with different rules and restrictions. As you are connecting with an international departure, we strongly recommend that you book a fully flexible ticket to ensure that should the departure times for your holiday change, your rail ticket can allow for these changes.

We can book fully-flexible UK rail tickets from your local station to join your holiday whether this be a European holiday from St Pancras or a UK holiday. The prices are competitive and tickets are not restricted to a particular train or time of day, and in most cases offer you a free choice of routes.

For an up to date quote from your local station, please ask one of our Tour Advisors.