July 7th – Gardens and natural areas are at the heart of what travelers are looking for in terms of well-being and relaxation. This summer, 8 locations listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites are offering an immersion in unspoiled but managed nature in Burgundy.
The Burgundians partnership with nature:
The Abbaye de Fontenay, one of the oldest Cistercian monasteries in France, offers large French-style formal gardens as an extension of the abbey visit. In addition, there are newly-landscaped gardens with a wide variety of plantings and century-old trees. They have been classified as “Remarkable Gardens of France” since 2004.
The unique architectural structures of the Royal Saltworks of Arc-et-Senans, dating from the end of the Enlightenment in the 18th century, are being transformed. A redevelopment of its giant Circle has been launched. Its original inspiration was the dream of an ideal city in the shape of a complete circle around the salt factory. This work on the landscaped gardens will complete the project by architect C.N. Ledoux.
Just like gardens, vineyards, demarcated and named, have been worked in Burgundy since the Middle Ages. In Burgundy, the term “Climat” is used for more than 1,200 vineyards between Dijon and the South of Beaune, that exemplify the viticulture practices and “terroir”, which are known throughout the world.
Characteristic hills and locations:
The exceptional location of the Chapelle Notre Dame du Haut, built on top of a hill in Ronchamp, makes this Le Corbusier masterpiece a potent site. The architect used light as a material in its own right.
The Basilica of Vézelay was built on the “eternal hill” overlooking the Morvan mountain range. Like a lighthouse, it has guided pilgrims towards Rome, Santiago de Compostela or Jerusalem since the beginning of the 11th century.
The Vauban Citadel in Besançon, perched more than 100 meters high on an anticline, offers spectacular views of the old town and the surrounding countryside. Over an area of almost 12 hectares, visitors can discover a multitude of activities and events.
Since the 11th century, La Charité-sur-Loire has been a major stop on the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route. Its priory, built in a restful landscape on the banks of the Loire, adds magic to its grandeur.
The diversity of these properties and sites is remarkable for the architectural features, but the interest in visiting them is increased by the richness of the surrounding nature, which is alive and evolving with the seasons and developments. This is the time to come and discover or rediscover these great heritage sites, to which should be added the Grande Saline of Salins-les-Bains and the prehistoric paleolithic sites of the lakes of Chalain and Clairvaux.
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