Château Albert Morot > Beaune > Things to do in Beaune > Route des Grands Crus in Burgundy
Route des Grands Crus in Burgundy
Stretching through the heart of Burgundy's most prestigious wine region, the Route des Grands Crus is one of the world's most celebrated wine routes. Linking historic villages, renowned vineyards, and exceptional wineries, it offers a journey through landscapes that have shaped Burgundy's reputation for centuries. From the charming streets of Beaune to the legendary vineyards of the Côte de Nuits, the route reveals a unique combination of wine heritage, gastronomy, culture, and breathtaking scenery. Whether you are a wine enthusiast, a cyclist, or simply looking to experience authentic Burgundy, the Route des Grands Crus provides an unforgettable introduction to one of France's most iconic regions.
For more regional experiences, see our Things to do in Beaune.
What Is the Route des Grands Crus?
Often referred to as the "Champs-Élysées of Burgundy", the Route des Grands Crus is a legendary wine route that passes through some of the world's most prestigious vineyards. Created in 1937, it follows the Côte de Beaune and the Côte de Nuits, two vineyard areas responsible for producing many of Burgundy's most celebrated wines. Along the route, visitors encounter renowned appellations, historic wine estates, UNESCO-listed vineyard landscapes, and picturesque villages whose names have become synonymous with excellence.
More than a simple road, the Route des Grands Crus represents the very essence of Burgundy's wine culture and centuries-old savoir-faire.
Where Does the Route des Grands Crus Start and End?
The Route des Grands Crus traditionally begins in Beaune, the historic wine capital of Burgundy. From there, it travels north through the Côte de Beaune before continuing into the Côte de Nuits, ending near Dijon.
The route covers approximately 60 kilometres and passes through many of Burgundy's most famous wine villages, including:
Pommard, Volnay, Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet, Aloxe-Corton, Gevrey-Chambertin, Vosne-Romanée, Nuits-Saint-Georges
The route can easily be explored in a day by car, but many visitors choose to spend several days discovering the villages, vineyards, and wineries at a more leisurely pace.
Why Is the Route des Grands Crus So Famous?
Few wine regions in the world enjoy the prestige of Burgundy, and the Route des Grands Crus showcases its finest treasures.
The route owes its reputation to several factors:
Exceptional Grand Cru Vineyards
A unique wine heritage
UNESCO recognition
Authentic villages and landscape
Explore the Route des Grands Crus by Bike
The Most Beautiful Villages and Stops Along the Route
Villages to Visit in the Côte de Beaune
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![village beaune]()
Beaune
The historic heart of Burgundy wine culture, Beaune is home to wine merchants, tasting cellars, gourmet restaurants, and the famous Hospices de Beaune.
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![pommard village]()
Pommard
Known for producing powerful and structured red wines, Pommard is one of Burgundy's most iconic wine villages.
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![volnay village]()
Volnay
A charming village renowned for elegant Pinot Noir wines and peaceful vineyard scenery.
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![meursault village]()
Meursault
One of Burgundy's most celebrated white wine villages, famous for producing rich and complex Chardonnay wines.
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![puligny montrachet route]()
Puligny-montrachet
Home to some of the world's most prestigious white wine vineyards, including the legendary Montrachet Grand Cru.
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![chassagne montrachet village]()
Chassagne-Montrachet
A picturesque wine village offering both exceptional white and red wines, surrounded by beautiful vineyard landscapes.
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![aloxe corton village]()
Aloxe-Corton
Located at the foot of the Hill of Corton, this village is famous for the Grand Crus Corton and Corton-Charlemagne.
Learn more →
Villages to Visit in the Côte de Nuits
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![village nuits saint georges]()
Nuits-saint-georges
The unofficial capital of the Côte de Nuits and an excellent base for exploring Burgundy's finest red wine appellations.
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![vosne romanée village]()
Vosne-Romanée
Home to some of the world's most sought-after vineyards, including the legendary Romanée-Conti.
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![chambolle musigny village]()
Chambolle-Musigny
A beautiful village known for producing some of Burgundy's most elegant and refined Pinot Noir wines.
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![morey saint denis]()
Morey-Saint-Denis
Combining prestigious vineyards and authentic village charm.
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![gevrey chambertin village]()
Gevrey-Chambertin
One of Burgundy's most famous wine villages and home to the celebrated Chambertin Grand Cru.
When Is the Best Time to Visit the Route des Grands Crus?
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Vineyards awaken after winter and the countryside becomes vibrant with fresh greenery and mild temperatures.
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Long sunny days create ideal conditions for cycling, wine tastings, and outdoor dining.
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Widely considered the most spectacular season, autumn brings golden vineyard colours and the excitement of the grape harvest.
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A quieter period that offers a more intimate experience, with fewer visitors and cosy cellar tastings.
Tips for visiting the route des grands crus
1
Book private experiences
Access exclusive tastings, cellar visits and meetings with winemakers.
2
Let us arrange it
Beaune is the perfect starting point for exploring the entire Route des Grands Crus.
3
combine wine
& gastronomy
Our team can recommend and secure the best experiences in the route des Grands Crus.
4
Stay in Beaune
Pair vineyard visits with local restaurants to discover how Burgundy's wines and cuisine complement each other.
5
Explore by bicycle
Cycling through the vineyards offers a slower and more immersive way to experience Burgundy's landscapes.
Combine dining with other experiences in Beaune
Events and festivals in Beaune
Wine experiences and vineyards
Culture and heritage
The best restaurants
Stay in Beaune to explore the route des grands crus
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The Route des Grands Crus stretches for approximately 60 kilometres through the heart of Burgundy’s most prestigious wine region. Traditionally, it runs between Dijon in the north and Santenay in the south, passing through both the Côte de Nuits and the Côte de Beaune. Along the way, visitors travel through world-famous wine villages including Gevrey-Chambertin, Vosne-Romanée, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Beaune, Pommard, Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet.
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The route can technically be driven in around one to two hours without stopping. However, doing so would miss the essence of the experience. Most visitors dedicate a full day to exploring the vineyards, villages and wine estates, while wine enthusiasts often spend two to four days discovering the region at a slower pace. This allows time for tastings, cellar visits, vineyard walks and enjoying Burgundy’s renowned gastronomy.
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Yes, advance reservations are strongly recommended, particularly if you wish to visit prestigious wine estates or travel during peak periods such as spring, summer weekends and the harvest season. While some tasting rooms welcome walk-in visitors, many family-owned domains and renowned wineries only receive guests by appointment. Booking ahead also ensures a more personalised experience, often including private cellar tours and guided tastings with estate representatives.
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Absolutely. Often referred to as the “Champs-Élysées of Burgundy”, the Route des Grands Crus offers one of the most iconic wine journeys in the world. Beyond the exceptional wines, visitors discover picturesque villages, centuries-old wine estates, UNESCO-listed vineyard landscapes and a rich cultural heritage shaped by generations of winemakers. Whether you are passionate about wine or simply looking to experience the authentic charm of Burgundy, it is one of the region’s most rewarding and memorable experiences.