At 48 metres high, the château is France’s tallest castle, and its other dimensions are also pretty impressive: seven floors for a trifling 204 rooms.

The “Giant of the Loire Valley”, the nickname by which Brissac is known, has belonged to the Cossé-Brissac family since 1502. The current owners, Charles-André and Larissa de Brissacmotto, have applied the family motto — Virtute Tempore (with courage and time) — to the letter when it comes to maintaining and renovating this colossus of a building. Because, if the outside of the château is awe-inspiring, the interior is equally imposing with its wealth of decoration, exceptional furniture and superb belle époque theatre. The tour of the castle always ends with a visit to the winery and cellars, with the estate making its own cuvées since the 16th century. There are twenty-six hectares of Cabernet producing a predominantly rosé AOC, quite typical of Anjou, with acidulated notes of cherry, raspberry and redcurrant. If you would like to extend this magical experience, some of the rooms in the château have been transformed into remarkable guest rooms, where you can enjoy a night fit for a king!

Tips nearby: 

Le Petit Manoir: In Saint-Melaine-sur-Aubance, 20 minutes south of Angers, this is a small and charming inn, where the chef has earned the title maître restaurateur. The food is traditional and regional, including entrecote with red butter, medallion of monkfish with cointreau, and the day’s catch. Two round-trip hiking trails start 100 metres from the restaurant.

Loire & Sens: In Juigné-sur- Loire, 15 minutes from Angers, this spa hotel is housed in a former hunting lodge from the 17th century. It boasts 23 rooms and 12 comfortable and bright suites. All the accommodation has private terraces. The restaurant serves modern gourmet cuisine based on seafood and local products.

The Domaine des Hautes Roches in Rochecorbon is an old monastery that has been revamped and transformed into France’s first luxury troglodytic hotel.

The twelve cells where the monks once lived, carved out of the rock, have been converted into terrific bedrooms: the sense of tranquillity is right out of the top drawer, all the comforts are modern and the view of the Loire breath-taking. When your hunger starts to rise, you can make the acquaintance of Didier Edon, the chef of the estate’s starred restaurant. Didier serves up subtle, expressive cuisine that is based on the day’s catch and whatever is available locally — vegetables, charcuterie or meat from the "garden of France". The chef will also unveil the region’s most delicious wines: Vouvray, Chinon and Touraine, all from the magnificent vaulted cellar built into the hillside. There are worse punishments, are there not?

Tips nearby: 

Les Grandes Caves Saint Roch: In Rochecorbon, five minutes from the centre of Tours, this is one of Touraine’s most extensive cellars. You can visit the underground galleries on a two-wheeled Segway, where you’ll find out all about the traditional methods for making Vouvray. And, of course, you can enjoy a fine tasting of the house wines.

La Bagatelle: Situated in Vouvray, this beautiful 18th century mansion at the foot of Moncontour château boasts one bedroom and four guest suites (including two troglodyte suites). The comfortable décor is “French bourgeois”, and the setting peaceful and majestic, with the Loire passing just a few yards away. It makes an ideal base for an excursion to the great châteaux of the Loire.

Whether you prune early or late, be sure to prune during the month of March!

And there’s no reason at all why this saying, so familiar to amateur gardeners everywhere, shouldn’t apply to vines. In any case, that’s what Nadine and Eric Lévèque at La Maison Lévèque-Dehan think. This family has been making wine for five generations in Barzy-sur-Marne, so we can assume that they know a thing or two when it comes to pruning. It was with the aim of sharing this expertise that the Lévèques opened their micro-plot of land with an educational objective for wine enthusiasts thirsty for knowledge. In Cordon, Guyot and the Marne Valley, you will learn some vital nuggets of information about the essential activity that is the production cycle. It’s common knowledge that you’re at ease when it comes to raising a glass to your lips… but we’re curious to have the chance to marvel at how you handle a pair of secateurs. The whole exercise, it goes without saying, is rounded off with a dégustation of the estate’s Pinot Meuniers, Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays.

Tips nearby: 

Auberge Le Relais: Situated in Reuilly Sauvigny, 30 minutes to the west of Epernay, and noted for its fine cuisine, which is both creative and seasonal: pan-fried Langoustines in vine stock, for instance, or lièvre à la royale. The setting is plush and elegant with antique pink beams and wall upholstery fabrics. There’s a veranda, too, overlooking the slopes of the Marne Valley.

Château de la Marjolaine: In Essômes-sur-Marne on the Champagne wines tourist trail, with three bedrooms and two suites in an imposing, Napoleonic-style mansion. All rooms boast views of the park, over the Marne and the hills of Champagne. There is an indoor pool, champagne bar and traditional French restaurant — in fact, the Château de la Marjolaine is perfect for an overnight stay.

A visit to a building that is not a building, that’s our suggestion for a stopover in Bordeaux.

Confused? Well, that’s how Philippe Starck describes one of his latest creations, the new winery at Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion in Bordeaux. Patrick Pitcher, the owner, had expectations that were both very clear and very ambitious: "We wanted a one-off design, a cellar that was like no other." Patrick’s gamble ended up being generously rewarded with a truly stunning result: an enigmatic blade of exposed metal lodged in a small lake in the very heart of the domain. The raw purity of the lines continues inside the complex, which is all concrete, wood, glass, metal and special lighting. "We wanted to honour the mystery of wine, so we had to go for the minimalist effect." The winery and cellar are underground to protect the 300 barrels from the fluctuations in the temperature. On the upper floor, there is an area for receiving the harvested grapes. The tasting takes place in the adjoining building. Don’t leave without taking a detour to the terrace that towers over the estate. All in all, the “non-building” is a genuine masterpiece and the wine tasting exceptional — a combined experience that we thoroughly recommend.

Tips nearby: 

Le Bordeaux Gordon Ramsay: On the Place de la Comédie in Bordeaux, with breath-taking views of the Grand Théâtre. A historic brasserie with a warm and friendly atmosphere. Specialities from southwest France with a strong British influence, such as scotch egg with smoked salmon, fish and chips and sea bream. The à la carte menu and set meals are supervised by the English TV chief.

Chambres d'hôtes at the Château Pape-Clément: In Pessac-Bordeaux, 15 minutes from the city centre and airport. Rooms and luxury guest suites in a 16th century château with a refined, chic atmosphere, woodwork from yesteryear and 19th century furniture. There is also a park surrounded by 60 hectares of vineyards. Tasting and gourmet cuisine on request.

At Vosne Romanée, the Rion family share their passion for wine and truffles on wine-tourism tours. Just imagine a tasting session combining truffles and the great wines of Burgundy - doesn't that make you want to go?

Growers of truffles for over 30 years and winegrowers since 1896, the Rions pamper their land! HVE level 3 since 2019, they are now starting organic conversion on their Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune vines. The Rion family work the prestigious terroirs of Vosne Romanée, Nuits St Georges, Chambolle Musigny, Pommard, Meursault, Beaune,...

Follow them through the vineyards to discover the Terroirs of Vosne Romanée, accompany them to their winery to learn the secrets of winemaking, or go truffle hunting with the estate's Lagottos Romagnolos in their truffle fields. So don't wait any longer and come and enjoy an unforgettable experience in a friendly atmosphere!

Tips nearby: 

L’Auberge du Vieux Pressoir: In Chenôve, just 6 km from the centre of Dijon, this bistro-style restaurant is run by the Simon family. The décor is contemporary with bare stone walls, and the produce fresh, local and traditional: poached egg in a red wine sauce, seared foie gras, sweetbreads and fennel fondue with bream. A relaxed and inviting environment!

Le Saint Nicolas: In Morey Saint Denis, in the heart of the old village, with four guest rooms (including two family rooms) in a renovated winemaker’s home. The welcome is warm and the environment outstanding, situated opposite the prestigious Clos des Lambrays on the Route des Grands Crus. Taste and buy your wine in the property’s own cellar.

At least two reasons to visit Clos Saint Louis in Fixin... 

Reason one: the superb wine estate. Located a stone’s throw from a 10th century church, it contains an old winemaker’s house dating back to 1634, a hunting lodge, and last, but by no means least, 18 hectares of vines across several plots. And with some Fixey, Fixin, Brochon, Couchey, Gevrey Chambertin and Hautes Côtes de Nuits, you’ll find an excellent range of the area’s finest wines. You’ll also meet the head of the vineyard, Philippe Bernard, who is both a producer and an oenologist. But beware, he has an inexhaustible knowledge of local winemaking techniques. Try to catch him out on destemming, pressing, settling or punching down and he’ll drain your question bank dry. The visit usually ends with a lavish tasting, paired with homemade gougères. A highly-recommended visit during your trip to Bourgogne.

Tips nearby: 

Le Bistrot Lucien: In Gevrey-Chambertin, this is the restaurant that belongs to the Rôtisserie du Chambertin. The food is typical of Burgundy, sourced from local markets and prepared with seasonal products. The atmosphere is “bistro chic” with exposed stone, a wooden bar and benches. There is also a fine range of wines by the glass.

La Rôtisserie du Chambertin: In Gevrey-Chambertin, above Bistrot Lucien. Housed in a renovated eighteenth-century building, there are nine highly individual and elegant rooms. The decoration combines raw materials with a highly refined design. There is also the opportunity to tour the surrounding vineyards.

Perhaps you thought you’d tried touring the French countryside by every possible means: electric bike, maybe, or Segway or even on horseback. Well, think again — because that was all before Fabien Ruinet landed in Dijon with his off-road scooters.

These all-terrain machines are a cross between a mountain bike and a kid’s toy scooter… but powered by an electric motor, meaning they’re probably the most enjoyable — and user-friendly — way to criss-cross the vineyards in and around Beaune. The scooters are great fun for all the family and couldn’t be easier to use… in fact, they’re already beginning to be a bit of a hit with thrill-seekers everywhere! At full throttle the two-wheeled beasts can hit top speeds of 30 kmh. Fabien organises imaginative outings along the Voie des Vignes cycling path with stops at iconic local villages such as Pommard, Volnay and Meursault. A couple of things to remember before scooting off: don’t forget your camera but do forget the idea of putting on your best holiday trousers, because they won’t emerge unscathed. In a nutshell, Fabien’s off-road rides are a great way of recharging your batteries while emptying your scooter’s! 

Tips nearby: 

La Table de Pauline: Situated in Nantoux, 15 minutes west of Beaune. Typical Burgundy food with wine from the Charles estate. Choice of tasting: 3, 6 or 9 wines. Friendly atmosphere. Reservation required in advance.

Le Clos du Colombier: Hotel and guest house in Pommard. Elegant and tastefully decorated rooms with views over gardens on ground floor, and over the vineyard from the upper bedrooms. Private relaxation area with sauna, Jacuzzi and massage room.

Just a few yards from the Hospices de Beaune, Sensation Vin offers discovering of Burgundy wine, between the more than capable hands of Céline Dandelot and Damien Delattre.

No need to worry whether they’re up to the task: Céline is a skilled professional and Damien directed the Bourgogne École des Vins for fifteen years or so. They now specialise in wine courses for all levels, lasting anything from 90 minutes to two days. Over the past couple of years, our two partners have been running special courses, one on Côtes de Nuit (tasting ten reds), and the other on Côtes de Beaune (seven whites and three reds). Both programmes include an educational tour in the field so you can savour the terroir in person. One last thing: you can also book a one-day course for just the pair of you. In fact, adaptability is Céline’s and Damien’s forte — simply tell them what your requirements are before you arrive.

Tips nearby: 

Le Bistrot Bourguignon: In the heart of Beaune, this typical French bistro is the oldest wine bar in Burgundy. It has a cosy, relaxed atmosphere, and serves up traditional and regional cuisine: Burgundy snails with parsley, for instance, venison steak with cranberries or oeufs en meurette.

Hôtel le Cep: In the mediaeval town of Beaune. This four-star hotel (part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World scheme) boasts 65 sumptuous, individualised rooms adorned with sophisticated décor and fine fabrics. Le Cep is home to a starred restaurant, the Loiseau des Vignes, together with a wellness area and spa offering twelve sensory experiences. What more could you want?

It won’t have escaped your notice that the Hospices de Beaune is the star attraction in most of the region’s tourist brochures thanks to its "flamboyant Gothic architecture... polychrome roof... home to the Last Judgement, a masterpiece by Rogier van der Weyden...".

And the truth is that the Hospices is the grandest of buildings. With your refined sense of taste, however, you are sure to be seduced by the engrossing tale hidden behind the larger story. The founders of the Hospices, Guigone de Salins and Nicolas Rolin, were 15th century philanthropists whose courage and piety are immediately evident in the excellent account provided by the audio guide. There are four things worth knowing as you plan your visit: 
- There is a special tour for children;
- You can buy Premiers Crus and Grands Crus (85% from the Hospices vineyard) in the shop;
- If you want to take photos, the light is better on the roof in the morning;
- The Halle, opposite the Hospices, hosts a market on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Tips nearby: 

Le Comptoir des Tontons: An intimate and friendly restaurant near the historic centre of Beaune (seats 18). Market cuisine with fresh, organic and local products. A good choice of wines, including a biodynamic selection

Bacchus Secrets: At Nolay, 30 minutes from Beaune. A renovated 14th century house with two bedrooms with bathroom, kitchen and lounge area. The decoration is contemporary and comfy, with stone walls and wooden floors. The hosts will guide you during the day or book your activities or visits for you.

The Patriarch winery is the must-see visit for culture vultures in Beaune.

It’s a unique venue that offers a first-rate wine and cultural experience rolled into one. The old convent of the Visitandines, where the cellars were first established in 1780, would be worth the entrance fee alone. The remarkable 18th century chapel features five labyrinthine kilometres of partially vaulted galleries. And what can we say about the setting for the three million bottles that are housed there? Although the décor could hardly be more distinguished, strolling through the complex is a very relaxed affair, with a series of audio-video terminals to help you along the route. Tastevin in hand, you can serve yourself at the special tasting points (with ten or so vintage wines). You can also draw on the expertise of the sommelier-consultants if you want. So far, so good – and you haven’t even got to the shop yet! Remember that if you book the exclusive tour or Visite Privilège in advance, you’ll be accompanied by a flesh and blood guide. 

Tips nearby: 

Auberge du Vieux Vigneron: This estate is located just 20 minutes south of Beaune in the village of Corpeau. Meals are served in the winery, a family home that has been converted into an intimate auberge. Savour the local cuisine, with meat cooked over a wood fire in the large central fireplace. There are over 200 different wines on offer, including those bottled by the owner, Jean-Charles Fagot.

L’Escale de Jule et Lily: Situated in Bligny-lès-Beaune, ten minutes south of Beaune, this beautiful house dating from 1925 includes two spacious guest rooms. The ceiling is decorated with cornices and mouldings, and the furniture is stylish. The table d’hôte consists of regional and gourmet cuisine. You can also go jogging or hiking in the vineyards with the owner.