This journey through Burgundy unfolded naturally. The quiet roads makes me appreciate it more. I stepped into this world with reverence and appreciation of the beauty that surrounds us. At this time, I’m sharing with Monique and Dominique who are locals in this region and that’s what shaped my journey at this time were their presence and sharing this journey.
As much as I absorbed from them, I also had the chance to share parts of places they missed — like revisiting Volnay, where I had stayed in a ancient laundry place the year before, and then, returning together to Gevrey-Chambertin, where our paths first crossed. These moments added a new, personal layer to Burgundy, deepening the meaning of every village, every vineyard, and every shared meal.
Staying in Chagny for two nights brought everything full circle. I had passed through this town once before, but this time it became our meeting point—a place to pause, reconnect, and create new memories. What was once a passing scene now holds a special place in the tapestry of this journey.
Chagny is a charming small town in the Côte-d'Or department of Burgundy, France, nestled between Beaune and Chalon-sur-Saône. It's known for its relaxed atmosphere, Burgundy wine culture, and proximity to some of the region’s finest vineyards, particularly those of the Côte de Beaune.
Highlights of Chagny include:
Michelin-starred dining at Maison Lameloise, a culinary institution.
Sunday market, one of the best in the area, offering fresh regional products.
The Canal du Centre, which runs through the town, offering scenic walking and cycling paths.
Access to wine villages like Puligny-Montrachet and Meursault just a short bike ride away.
Chagny is ideal as a peaceful base for exploring Burgundy’s wine country, especially for food and wine lovers.
Ride with the Wind
There’s a quiet kind of magic in riding through Burgundy—where each turn of the pedals carries the scent of vineyards, the hush of history, and the warmth of human connection. This wasn’t just a cycling tour; it was a shared journey, shaped by the rhythm of the land and the presence of friends.
With Monique and Dominique, the road opened up differently—more personal, more textured. We were experiencing together; we were gliding with the wind, letting the countryside speak to us in its own time. We were weaving together stories and memories.
Riding along the canal from Chagny to Chalon-sur-Saône is peaceful and effortless. The flat path follows the quiet water, lined with trees, old stone bridges, and boats anchored on the banks, and occasionally, you get to see a boat drifting by. It’s a calm, beautiful ride where you feel fully present, moving slowly through the heart of Burgundy.
Rully
Rully is a picturesque wine village in the Côte Chalonnaise of southern Burgundy, known for its refined Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines. Surrounded by gentle vineyard-covered hills, the village exudes quiet charm with its stone houses, narrow lanes, and the elegant Château de Rully, a medieval fortress still owned by the same family for centuries. Rully offers a more off-the-beaten-path Burgundy experience, combining winemaking tradition, understated beauty, and a peaceful atmosphere ideal for relaxed exploration.
Rully is part of the Côte Chalonnaise in southern Burgundy and is known for producing excellent quality wines—often offering great value compared to the more famous Côte d'Or.
White Wines (Rully Blanc):
Made from Chardonnay, these wines are fresh, elegant, and mineral-driven, with notes of white flowers, citrus, and sometimes subtle hazelnut or brioche. They can resemble Puligny or Meursault in style but with a lighter touch.Red Wines (Rully Rouge):
Made from Pinot Noir, Rully reds are soft, fragrant, and fruit-forward, often with red berry, cherry, and gentle spice notes. They can be enjoyed young but also have aging potential.Crémant de Bourgogne:
Rully is also an important production zone for Crémant de Bourgogne, Burgundy’s sparkling wine, made in the traditional method.
I remember just passing here a year before. At this time, we stopped and even went for a wine tasting, then took a detour to check out the Chateau. At times, it is best to go a place, not once but twice to get to know deeper.
Burgundy is one of the best places to bike—even for beginners—thanks to its gentle terrain, quiet vineyard roads, and well-signposted bike paths like the Voie des Vignes and the Canal de Bourgogne. The routes wind through peaceful countryside, historic villages, and world-famous vineyards, offering a calm and scenic ride without heavy traffic. Welcoming wine estates, picnic spots, and small village bars and restaurants provide inviting stops to rest and refuel.
Santenay is a charming wine village located at the southern end of the Côte de Beaune in Burgundy, France. Known for its elegant red wines made primarily from Pinot Noir and some whites from Chardonnay. Santenay combines the rustic beauty of rolling vineyards with historic character. The village is also home to thermal springs, scenic cycling routes, and a serene atmosphere, making it a great stop for wine enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
After a tour of Santennay, this wasn’t planned and it was spontaneous one when we were at centre ville having a drink. We biked our way up and then reached the road leading to a mini-village with few houses and a cemetery. We also checked out people harvesting the area.
Meursault is a picturesque wine village in the Côte de Beaune, Burgundy, known for producing some of the world’s finest white wines, especially from Chardonnay grapes. Unlike nearby Puligny- or Chassagne-Montrachet, Meursault doesn’t have any Grand Crus, but its Premier Cru wines are highly respected for their richness, elegance, and buttery, nutty character.
The village itself is charming, with golden stone houses, a lively central square, and a striking 14th-century church with a colorful Burgundian tiled roof. It’s also a peaceful base for wine tasting, cycling through vineyards, and enjoying the slower rhythms of Burgundy life.
Meursault is not just about wine—it’s about light, tradition, and a certain timeless beauty that settles into your memory like a good vintage.
Chassagne Montrachet
Chassagne-Montrachet, nestled in the Côte de Beaune in Burgundy, is a village of quiet elegance and world-class wine. Its beauty lies in its harmony—rolling vineyards, limestone-rich soils, and a timeless Burgundian charm. Stone houses with tiled roofs sit among rows of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vines, brushed by golden light and gentle hills.
This village is most celebrated for its white wines, particularly the grand cru Montrachet and Bâtard-Montrachet, considered among the finest Chardonnays in the world—rich, complex, and full of finesse, often showing notes of hazelnut, citrus, white flowers, and flint. The red wines, made from Pinot Noir, are lesser-known but beautifully structured, earthy, and silky.
In Chassagne-Montrachet, every sip carries the story of the land—ancient, meticulous, and deeply expressive.