Belle Bourgogne Part 1: Our home

When we sat down to plan our itinerary for our 2024 trip, Burgundy was always going to be included. Having visited the region twice in 2009, the area close to Beaune was the sentimental favourite. Chris had enjoyed some fabulous cycling round the villages north of Beaune and he thought it would be a perfect place for us to both enjoy cycling together. However, as I am always keen to explore new areas, I spread my accommodation search net wide to include anywhere from Chalon-sur-Soane to Dijon. My criteria included, somewhere that had a boulangerie within walking distance, a place to park our van and that we could be self-sufficient with kitchen and laundry facilities.

With those criteria in mind, I began by searching Google maps for boulangeries. Unfortunately, not every village in France has one. Quelle surprise! Then I used this information, along with Booking.com to review potential properties for the dates matching our itinerary.

The view through the front gates of Domaine Chandon dee Briailles

Maison d’hôtes Chandon de Briailles in Savigny-lés-Beaune popped up. The weekly rate was more expensive than we hoped to pay but the photos on Booking.com were enticing and the property being part of the Domaine Chandon de Briailles, allowed us access to a courtyard and the extensive grounds of their chateau was a great bonus.

Large blue doors on Rue Soeur Goby, marked the entry to our courtyard

On arrival we entered via the large blue doors on Rue Soeur Goby and were able to park our van inside the courtyard and easily unload our luggage straight into our accommodation.

Inside the courtyard with lots of colourful flowering plants

Inside the courtyard with ample space to park our van

Our section of the Domaine building was a two-storey apartment that was more than enough for the two of us. It felt very grand and when we FaceTimed our family, our grandchildren thought we were staying in a castle.

Our downstairs view into the Domaine’s courtyard

Downstairs the kitchen is a good size and well equipped. Cute windows provided two different views of the property.

Kitchen

Adjoining the kitchen is a fantastic dining space with a large stone fireplace and a cupboard full of crockery and glasses.

Dining room

Then through a doorway to the living room where we settled each evening.

Through to the living room above and below

All the downstairs rooms have multiple windows offering different vistas and plenty of light.

Flagstone floor and the stone bench in front of the living room fireplace

I loved the feel of the large flagstone floor beneath my bare feet. I wonder how many others had crossed this floor during the course of it’s history.

Up the winding staircase to the bedrooms

Ascending the winding staircase there are three bedrooms and the bathroom has a washing machine. Next to the main bedroom is a spacious ensuite and dressing area that was great for storing our luggage and drying clothes on racks.

The front door to our home in Belle Bourgogne

Outside, the space available for our use was a lovely bonus and much bigger than we thought. Our courtyard was surrounded by flowering plants and an outside table and umbrella provided a perfect spot for breakfast or a coffee and pastry post bike ride.

Chris enjoying post bike ride replenishment in our courtyard

Rustic walls covered in climbing plants all added to the charm of the property

Then passing through a gateway in the rustic stone wall we enter the gardens of the Domaine; a feast for the eyes.

Through the gateway we glimpse the Domaine’s grounds and it’s all ours to explore

Climbing plants cover the walls, old pear trees laden with fruit, statues and even an old folly, make interesting subjects for photographs and painting.

Old pear tree laden with fruit

I will share much more of the gardens in a future post but for now, let’s take a pause on a lovely stone bench, under the shade of the old pear tree and indulge in some sketching and watercolour painting.

My watercolour painting. A lovely souvenir from our stay at Maison d’hôtes Chandon de Brialles

Next time, we return to our week in Belle Bourgogne to discover even more about this lovely part of France.

À bientôt!