Burgundy
Burgundy (Bourgogne)
Burgundy is a region rich in history, culture and geography. It wasn't until the late 18th century that Burgundy became part of France, previously governed by a long reigning and powerful Dukedom. Once upon a time the Burgundian Dukes were allies to the English kings against the king of France. The original Burgundian borders stretched right across eastern France and into Flanders. There is a visibly significant Cistercian influence particularly seen in the many abbeys and monasteries such as Cluny, Fontennay and Citeaux, for example.
Wine is one of the mainstays and pride of the Burgundy region, with some of the most famous wines in the world coming from the region wide concentrated vineyards. It was the Romans that originally introduced the grapes to the area and their production was eventually mastered by the local monks.
Farming is dominated by cereal crop production in the Saone plain and Nivernais plateau, whilst the hilly areas are given to cattle farming and their traditional white Charolais are prevalent.
There is a diverse geography in the area, from the Morvan Park with its cold granite to the limestone rich Saone valley and there are large areas of woodland and forest, mainly oak forests in the Cote d'Or, and Red Pine in the Morvan.
Very important rivers such as the Saone and Yonne allow access to the Rhone and Seine and provide the region with an important network of navigable waterways such as the Burgundy Canal.
Number Département Capital
71 Saône et Loire Macon
58 Nièvre Nevers
21 Cote d'Or Dijon
89 Yonne Auxerre
