Things To Do With Kids In Burgundy

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Visiting France? Then check out my guide of Things To Do In Burgundy With Kids

We visited France this year for a family holiday. Something we haven’t done before, yes we have been for weekends to Disney or across to Calais shopping. And after the most incredible week we now know our past experiences were not the real France.

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The real France is nestled in glorious villages and towns in regions such as the Burgundy backroads. I honestly never knew what to expect, France had been somewhere that felt to near to holiday. I know that makes no sense at all. When in fact France is the logical place to visit. Not too much traveling time, gorgeous scenery and generally a much warmer climate than here in the UK.

We spent an incredible week exploring this stunning region, I have shared lots. But I wanted to put it all in one place, so here are some of the things we loved about this gorgeous part of the world.

Where to Stay In Burgundy?

We stayed at two gorgeous properties Hotel Des Grands Chenes, Saint Fargeau and Domaine de Varenne, Saint-Amand-en-Puisaye. They are very different properties but both equally friendly, and in stunning surroundings. If you like the idea of home cooked food then Domaine de Varenne is a perfect with the option of home cooked food every evening. If a pool is a must for you check out Hotel Des Grands Chenes. We loved staying at both properties so honestly could not choose between them.

Things To Do In The Burgundy Backroads

Staying at Hotel Des Grands Chenes 3

Where To Visit In Burgundy?

I honestly had no idea how much fun we would have on our visit to Burgundy. With 2 boys who love to stay active we usually go for action packed holidays. I genuinely thought this trip would be a little bit more reserved. But no, in terms of action and adventure there is so much to do.

If you like climbing through trees and zip wires then check out Accrobranche, Parc du Bois de la Folie, Treigny. It is higher and faster than anything we have ever experienced. And so much fun!

My Captured Moment, Accrobranche, Parc du Bois de la Folie a

If you like to keep neared to the ground then a horse trek through the breathtaking French countryside might be more your thing. Ferme Equestre Les Grilles is a wonderful equestrian center where you can book all sorts of fun activities. We thoroughly enjoyed our adventure with the lovely Stephanie.

Horse Riding In Burgundy

If you like cooking then a family cooking lesson with Noemi at the stunning Jeanne D’Arc Cookery School is an incredible afternoon. And if you want to learn to make macarons in France then Noemi is the master and such wonderful company.

Making Macarons With Noemi at the Jeanne D'Arc Cookery School

But you can’t visit France and not check out a few Chateau. Chateau Ratilly is a breathtaking Disney like Chateau. The sort of place you fantasize about living in. Whilst Chateau de Saint Fargeau is bigger and grander, like something straight for the set of War and Peace. Both are very different and wonderful places to visit.

Visiting Chateau de Saint Fargeau l

I know I know. My Sunday photo is getting more and more every week. This week it's my Sunday 15 photos, but how can you visit somewhere so stunning and not share it. But you did get off lightly as I narrowed these down from hundreds. This to me is a real Disney Castle, a dream castle. If I could have a country Castle this would be it, I will share my town castle next week. Because obviously if you can afford a castle you would have a town and village one, right? As you enter through the dainty wooden gate the sheer beauty of Chateau Ratilly hits you, in fact at this very moment Jack looked at me and said Mum I want a Castle! Because Chateau De Ratilly is truly magnificent, in an understated dainty and pretty way. If there were such a thing as a modest Castle I would say Ratilly is just that, magnificent and breathtaking from the outside. Yet as you step into its walls it is like walking into a country village with a pretty courtyard garden overlooked by chocolate box cottage style doors and windows, which make you want to move in immediately. It is the sort of place you can see yourself living quite easily. It is owned by the Pierlot Family who bought the castle in 1951 after a colourful history, from been built in the 11th century up until that date. We were shown around by the lovely Clear and you could just tell the love she had for Ratilly in fact if you check out their website you just get it, the family grew up in the gorgeous castle, their parents lovingly turned part of Ratilly into a pottery studio which their daughter Nathalie still runs today. The website displays a few old black and white family photos, they just make you heart melt to see the love the family have for this beautiful piece of history. But who wouldn't it is breathtaking. Chateau De Ratilly much to the work of the Pierlot siblings still maintains the ethos that Jeanne and Norbet set out to create and is the most beautiful arts center, with a pottery studio run by the lovely Nathalie whom we watched at work and wow she is incredible. Ratilly also host’s exhibitions and concerts every summer. The incredible thing is we nearly never visited, we were meant to be geocaching but had to change our arrangements due to the rain. On this occasion I have to say hoorah for rain, as I am so glad we got to visit.

Once you have visited a few Chateau, go back in time and see a Chateau being built from scratch. Guedelon is an incredible project and something you need to see and be part of to believe. It’s not just a Chateau. its a medieval village in the making. We loved our day spent being part of history in the making.

Being Part of Living History At Guedelon Castle

Where To Eat In Burgundy?

And you cannot visit France and enjoy all the delicious food. And the restaurants we visited did not disappoint. Cafe Du Bal  is a traditional French restaurant with excellent service and great food. In fact they serve the best snails I have ever tasted. And with a reasonably price menu it is the perfect place in a beautiful village.

Le Montecristo restaurant in Saint Fargo is perfect if you like Pizza, I had the smoked salon and creme fraiche and omg it was so good.

My Sunday Photo, Saint-Fargeau, A Quintessential French Village 10

Auberge La Demoiselle in Saint Fargeau is a more tradition restaurant serving fantastic food and offering excellent service. Ideally located in the centre of the village so perfect for people watching.

And lastly, but by no means least Moulin de Corneil. This is a breathtaking chocolate box restaurant overlooking a river, serving the best steak cooked perfectly, and the desert was divine. The service was fantastic and the environment is so friendly. In fact we were struggling to translate one of the dishes and a diner on the next table stepped in to help us out.

Things To Do In The Burgundy Backroads

I can honestly say we did not have a bad meal in France, and with the help of a translation app to translate menus we managed fine to say our French is not good at all.

So there it is our French adventure in less that 750 words. An incredible trip, from the wonderful people we met, to the action packed schedule and amazing food. In fact this trip has fuelled a love for France and its wonderful people and I hope we get to explore something new every year for years to come.

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Things To Do In The Burgundy Backroads, France, Where to stay, what to do and where to eat in a region that has so much to do

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  • SarahJChristie

    Author of Extraordinary Chaos a family lifestyle and travel blog from a 50+ mum of boys, sharing Cricut Crafts and Free SVG Files, family travels, recipes, reviews and country living. Also the co-editor of Cruising With Kids Family Cruise Blog and Mini Travellers family travel blog.

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65 thoughts on “Things To Do With Kids In Burgundy”

  1. It looks like you had a fantastic trip! I’m really impressed by the amount of activities you fitted in, as well as how many are actually available in the region. I too would have thought this is a more subdued destination, so it’s great to see that there are plenty of family adventures to be had for active kids.

    Reply

    • Ali it was incredible, we had such a wonderful time. So much so we would love to go back as there is loads we didn’t get time to do. x

      Reply

  7. I’m so glad you’re a France convert because I’m a massive Francophile (so much so that I even run a linky #AllAboutFrance which opens on this coming Thursday and I hope you can link up) and I also love Guedélon. I went there 8 years ago, it’s fascinating to see how it has come along since then. Thanks for taking on #mondayescapes

    Reply

  11. France is definitely the country that keeps on giving! I’ve yet to find a bit I don’t love! And the food …

    I’ve not been to Burgundy, but you really make me want to explore the area, your photos are lovely X
    #mondayescapes

    Reply

  13. I loved following your trip Sarah, and it is great that you found lots of adventure for the boys. I have never visited France (not even Disney lol), but sounds such a perfect place to visit. The restaurants all sound divine #MondayEscapes x

    Reply

  14. Beautiful pictures and so many fun things to do!! The climbing park, the horseback riding and I want to make these blue macaroons, too!! I miss traveling Europe and french restaurants are the best. Thanks for sharing! #MondayEscapes

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  16. I’ve got 2 very active boys too, so this part of France looks like it could be right up our street too. The zip wire looks fantastic and we love a bit of horse riding too. Don’t even get me started on the food! #Mondayescapes

    Reply

  18. Burgundy looks beautiful and that good?!? Wow! I love France it is a wonderful country – I lived there for a few years but near Evian on Lake Geneva. I have explored the Dordogne but have always passed through Normandy – it definitely looks like a great place to visit! #MondayEscapes

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  20. Burgundy sounds wonderful. Both places you stayed look so quaint and cozy. And I’m always up for touring a castle. #MondayEscapes

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  22. I am fascinated by your pictures and the accounts of the trip. Sometimes, the least obvious places end up being the most memorable. I am glad you guys had fun in France. Hope you will write more about the trip. I would like to learn more about the cooing class.

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  23. Oh my! Great guide for visiting Burgundy. From stay, action, chateau to food, you’ve covered everything that I like! #mondayescapes

    Reply

  24. I love France, we spent a few weeks travelling around France pre children, and have been back once with them, but we need to go again! love the idea of a family cooking lesson! #MondayEscapes

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  26. Looks like it was a fabulous trip! I love the photos of the Chateau. I’ve not been to France for a while, but now that I’ve read your post, I want to visit again soon! Thanks for sharing. #mondayescapes

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  28. Burgundy is such a beautiful region of France. It’s a great place to eat and drink as you discovered and the tree climbing and zip wires sound awesome.
    Potty Adventures
    #MondayEscapes

    Reply

  30. We holiday in France every year (my husband’s family live there so we tend to visit them for a week and then head off somewhere else for a week) so I can totally relate to your enthusiasm for the country.

    We’ve only ever done a stopover in Burgundy but your round-up has inspired me to look into spending more time there!

    I will link up a post that I have done on child friendly places to stay…just in case you would like to go back!

    #MondayEscapes

    Reply

  31. Really enjoying following along on your trip on Instagram. Aside from a long weekend in Paris years back, we haven’t had a holiday in France since we moved to London ten years ago and I’ve only been on work trips to Strasbourg. Hope to change that soon and the Burgundy region sounds fabulous. I love the idea of taking part in cooking classes and the Guedelon chateau sounds like such an interesting place to visit. #MondayEscapes

    Reply

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