9 Activities
A Road Trip Around Dijon: Prehistoric Cave Bears and Burgundy Wine History
Starts from
Dijon
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Activities
9
Duration
10 hours
Length
61 mi
Guide details
Starts from
Dijon
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Duration
10 hours
Length
61 mi
Linn Haglund
Blogger
- Witness a real pre-historic cave bear skeleton.
- Tour the unique Hotel-Dieu that was built as a free hospital for the poor.
- Indulge in magnificent French food and local wine in a rustic wine cellar.
Dive into pre-historic history by visiting the ancient Grotte d'Osselle caves where you can witness one of the 3000 pre-historic cave bear skeletons that have been found there. Have lunch in the cute town of Dole before you continue through the picturesque Burgundy wine region dotted with idyllic vineyards to the enchanting walled wine town of Beaune.
Here, you will visit the unique Hotel-Dieu and learn about its history as a free hospital for the poor and its wine production (Hint! The 3rd Saturday each November, they host a huge wine auction!) Continue learning about wine production at the wine museum and round off the experience by dining in an exquisite wine cellar in the heart of Beaune.
Here, you will visit the unique Hotel-Dieu and learn about its history as a free hospital for the poor and its wine production (Hint! The 3rd Saturday each November, they host a huge wine auction!) Continue learning about wine production at the wine museum and round off the experience by dining in an exquisite wine cellar in the heart of Beaune.
Categories
Dive into pre-historic history by visiting the ancient Grotte d'Osselle caves where you can witness one of the 3000 pre-historic cave bear skeletons that have been found there. Have lunch in the cute town of Dole before you continue through the picturesque Burgundy wine region dotted with idyllic vineyards to the enchanting walled wine town of Beaune.
Here, you will visit the unique Hotel-Dieu and learn about its history as a free hospital for the poor and its wine production (Hint! The 3rd Saturday each November, they host a huge wine auction!) Continue learning about wine production at the wine museum and round off the experience by dining in an exquisite wine cellar in the heart of Beaune.
Here, you will visit the unique Hotel-Dieu and learn about its history as a free hospital for the poor and its wine production (Hint! The 3rd Saturday each November, they host a huge wine auction!) Continue learning about wine production at the wine museum and round off the experience by dining in an exquisite wine cellar in the heart of Beaune.
Linn Haglund
Blogger
- Witness a real pre-historic cave bear skeleton.
- Tour the unique Hotel-Dieu that was built as a free hospital for the poor.
- Indulge in magnificent French food and local wine in a rustic wine cellar.
Day Itinerary
9 Activities
Day 1
61 mi1 mi
Visit Prehistoric Caves and Dive Into Burgundy’s Wine History
A wonderful day trip starting in the outskirts of Dole, visiting the prehistoric caves, Grotte d’Osselle, and having lunch in the enchanting village. After lunch, head to the ancient walled wine town Beaune where you will tour the unique Hôtel Dieu Beaune - Les Hospices de Beaune which used to be a hospital for the poor, and tour a wine museum to learn more about Burgundy wine. Round off the day by having dinner in a rustic wine cellar.
10:001 hr 30 min
Grotte d'Osselle
Nature Preserve
Open Details
Start your day trip by driving to the ancient caves of Grotte d'Osselle along the Doubs River.
The first tour starts a 10:00 and there is parking right outside the caves.
First discovered in 1200, Grotte d'Oselle was home to prehistoric cave bears around 50 000 years ago, and you can see one of the remaining skeletons that were found there when you visit. The cave is one of the first caves that has ever been opened to tourists, all the way back to the 15th century.
Today, there are 1200 meters of caves you can visit. It is very cold inside all year long, so even in summer, you should bring a jacket.
The guided tours are all in French, but they hand you a paper with all the information in English. The tour might feel a little long if you do not understand any French, but trust me when I say that this cave is worth it nonetheless.
The first tour starts a 10:00 and there is parking right outside the caves.
First discovered in 1200, Grotte d'Oselle was home to prehistoric cave bears around 50 000 years ago, and you can see one of the remaining skeletons that were found there when you visit. The cave is one of the first caves that has ever been opened to tourists, all the way back to the 15th century.
Today, there are 1200 meters of caves you can visit. It is very cold inside all year long, so even in summer, you should bring a jacket.
The guided tours are all in French, but they hand you a paper with all the information in English. The tour might feel a little long if you do not understand any French, but trust me when I say that this cave is worth it nonetheless.
20.7 mi
40 min
12:105 min
Car Park
Parking
Open Details
Park here to get lunch and to wander a little around the city of Dole.
0.2 mi
5 min
12:301 hr
Le Local
French Restaurant
Open Details
Next, drive to the enchanting town of Dole. You can easily park at the Parking Rond Point and walk across the river to the restaurant in around 10 minutes.
Le Local is situated in the best part of Dole and offers splendid views of the Canal des Tanneurs accompanied by high-quality food. Particularly the salads are worth trying for lunch and if you have space for dessert, make sure you try their tiramisu.
Le Local is situated in the best part of Dole and offers splendid views of the Canal des Tanneurs accompanied by high-quality food. Particularly the salads are worth trying for lunch and if you have space for dessert, make sure you try their tiramisu.
0.1 mi
5 min
13:3545 min
Quartier des Tanneurs
City Centre
Open Details
After lunch, go for a stroll through the cobblestoned streets of the Tanneur Quarter, taking you along the canal where boats glide by and past old, picturesque houses witnessing a glorious past when Dole was Franche-Comté's capital.
If you get the time before returning to the car, it is worth taking a peek inside the Collégiale Notre-Dame.
Collect your car and get ready to drive to Beaune.
If you get the time before returning to the car, it is worth taking a peek inside the Collégiale Notre-Dame.
Collect your car and get ready to drive to Beaune.
40.3 mi
1 hr
15:205 min
Car Park
Parking
Open Details
Park your car here, in the historic centre of Beaune. You're going to see a historic hospital, visit a wine museum, and have a most fulfilling dinner.
0.3 mi
5 min
15:301 hr 30 min
Hôtel-Dieu
History Museum
Open Details
Next, head to the enchanting town of Beaune to visit the top tourist attraction in the town, the Hotel-Dieu Museum. Originally built in the Middle Ages as a hospital to treat the poor free of charge, the structure is now one of Burgundy's most impressive treasures surrounded by vineyards filled with aromatic grapes.
Besides the impeccable architecture with its colourful glazed tiled rooftops, the Hotel-Dieu now houses a museum where you can visit with an audio guide to learn about the history of this unique site including its wine history. The prestigious wine is sold on auction every third Saturday of November, so if you manage to plan your road trip accordingly, you are in for a treat!
It is recommended to book in advance.
Besides the impeccable architecture with its colourful glazed tiled rooftops, the Hotel-Dieu now houses a museum where you can visit with an audio guide to learn about the history of this unique site including its wine history. The prestigious wine is sold on auction every third Saturday of November, so if you manage to plan your road trip accordingly, you are in for a treat!
It is recommended to book in advance.
0.2 mi
5 min
17:1545 min
Musée du Vin
Museum
Open Details
While we are talking wine, it is perfect to head to the first-ever wine museum in Bourgogne to dive into the production of wine at Hotel des Ducs de Bourgogne.
The museum takes you elegantly through the stages of wine production through history in the Climats of the Burgundy Vineyards, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The museum takes you elegantly through the stages of wine production through history in the Climats of the Burgundy Vineyards, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
0.2 mi
5 min
18:0515 min
Collegiate Basilica Notre-Dame de Beaune
Church
Open Details
The basilica usually closes at 19:00, so it is the perfect time to get a quick peek inside this astounding Romanesque example.
Pay particular attention to the colourful stained-glass windows, some of which date back to the 15th and 16th centuries, and the astounding organ, which is said to be the finest in Burgundy.
Pay particular attention to the colourful stained-glass windows, some of which date back to the 15th and 16th centuries, and the astounding organ, which is said to be the finest in Burgundy.
0.4 mi
10 min
18:301 hr 30 min
Le Caveau des Arches
Burgundian Restaurant
Open Details
It is time for dinner, and Le Caveau des Arches is the perfect place for that, and those who do not drive, will be able to enjoy some of the finest Burgundy wines. The actual restaurant is set in a charming wine cellar, so there is no better way to round off your day trip.
Their entire menu is mouthwatering, so it is hard to recommend a specific dish, though the Chocolate fondant for dessert is a must-try!
If you happen to be there on a Sunday or a Monday, Les Popiettes is a lovely alternative with mouthwatering food for a reasonable price. They are open on Sundays and Mondays for dinner.
Their entire menu is mouthwatering, so it is hard to recommend a specific dish, though the Chocolate fondant for dessert is a must-try!
If you happen to be there on a Sunday or a Monday, Les Popiettes is a lovely alternative with mouthwatering food for a reasonable price. They are open on Sundays and Mondays for dinner.