LOCATION
Burgundy has a rich winemaking heritage and the whole region is renowned for the quality of its wine
yellow and blue, as well as the ubiquitous red in complicated geometric patterns – woe betide any ancient roofer who didn’t slavishly follow the pattern decreed, I’d say! Flamboyant and fantastic, they lift the plainest building into a fantasy. The local history is, of
course, complicated. It’s said Burgundians were originally a Germanic race that crossed the Rhine, establishing a kingdom covering central France, with borders stretching from Switzerland to Italy. Naturally, war and conquest followed, it became a Duchy and, during the Hundred Years’ War, the French king gave it to his son Philip the Bold – a name to conjure with! The Dukes of Burgundy
architecture and history is fascinating for anyone who, like me, loves French buildings and the way styles evolve and change between regions. Reflecting this dichotomy of bridging the north/south divide, roofs here range from grey slate in the north to the redder clay pantiles that herald warmer southern climes, especially around Mâcon. Most distinctive of all though
is the Burgundian style itself – flamboyant and Gothic, it echoes the importance of this region in the Middle Ages when the Dukes of Burgundy were definitely the powers behind the throne. Look upwards in Dijon and at the châteaux and churches that dot the vineyards of the famed Côte d’Or as you travel on towards Beaune where roofs are tiled in white,
went on to create an empire rather than a duchy, stretching to the North Sea; ‘collected’ mainly through advantageous marriages, it even outshone the French court. In fact, in Belgium and the Netherlands a ‘Burgundian lifestyle’ is still used to describe enjoyment of life, good food, luxury and general extravagance. A dynasty of Philips followed.
Such was their position that they had a more than dominant role in French and European politics. It was during the rule of Philip III in the 15th century, that the Burgundian state was most powerful. Known as ‘Philip the Good’, he was renowned for his administrative reforms and patronage of Flemish artists and composers such as Van Eyck. He played England off
against France and vice versa, swapping alliances in attempts to further his powerbase. Joan of Arc fell victim to this as when his soldiers captured her, Philip sold her to the British and the rest is, of course, history. Perhaps he was not
“The Burgundian style – flamboyant and Gothic – echoes the importance of this region in the Middle Ages”
€49,500
COUNTRY COTTAGE This charming cottage has so much potential. Located in beautiful quiet Cressy-sur-Somme in south Burgundy, surrounded by its own garden, it’s just 10km from the thermal wonders of Bourbon-Lancy. The property is all on one level, with a spacious entrance hall, large living room, kitchen, bathroom and two bedrooms, and there’s already a staircase to the loſt with space for two more rooms.
€495,500
TRULY BLESSED Once this exceptional property was a convent; now beautifully restored, it retains charm and original features. Surrounded by lawns looking out over farms and meadows, the setting near Lamenay-sur-Loire is delightful. Inside, it is flooded with light and luxury – there’s a fantastic kitchen with everything a chef could need, fantastic living spaces and three incredible bedroom suites – two of which could provide opportunities for B&B guests. Located not far from the Loire river, it is just 15km from Decize.
quite as ‘good’ as it might at first have appeared. But I digress. Time to pursue
a far more pleasurable topic – the glorious wines of Burgundy – and where better to start than with the dry reds made from pinot noir grapes and white wine made from chardonnay. I’ve said it before – so many wines, so little time...
GLORIOUS GASTRONOMY The Côte d’Or (golden hillside) between Dijon and Beaune is the ideal terrain, facing the morning sun. Soil here
is protected from cold and frosts by the hills, and it’s also enriched by the natural water courses that wash along minerals as they tumble down the slopes. No one knows who started planting vines here, however, the monks were cultivating Chambertin grapes by the 7th century, the Cistercians developed the genesis of Clos de Vougeot in the 12th century, and so on – the whole region has become renowned for the quality of its wine. South of Beaune are the Chalonnais and Maconnais wines, Chablis from around
4 FRENCH PROPERTY NEWS:March/April 2024 39
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148
