What You Will Find Here
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Pin For Later
Lyn @ A Hole in my Shoe
Saturday 14th of January 2017
This is a part of France I have not yet been to, but I can see I must add it to my list. This region looks amazing and I am sure we would enjoy time exploring Burgundy. I'd love the macaron classes too.
SarahJChristie
Sunday 15th of January 2017
Lyn it is such a gorgeous region I just loved it x
Cindy
Friday 14th of October 2016
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
SarahJChristie
Sunday 16th of October 2016
Ah thanks Cindy we had such a wonderful time and the cooking class omg x
DaisLikeThese
Wednesday 12th of October 2016
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
SarahJChristie
Sunday 16th of October 2016
Ah thanks you, I will check that out x
Ting at MTM
Sunday 9th of October 2016
So lovely reading back to this because it brings back great memories for me too. And brilliant that you are now leading the #MondayEscapes charge this week. Love it x
SarahJChristie
Monday 10th of October 2016
Ah thanks Ting, it was a special trip wasn't it x
David Mellor
Thursday 6th of October 2016
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
SarahJChristie
Monday 10th of October 2016
David it was such a perfect trip we loved it x