Departure from the US for an overnight flight to Paris Charles de Gaulle where you can take the fast train TGV to Dijon.
Airfare is not included in the price. Celestial Voyagers can help you choose the best routing and schedule. You may want to arrive earlier and spend time in Paris. Let us know if you need additional nights and an arrival transfer to the hotel.
Should you purchase your airline ticket on your own, it is very important to send us a copy.
WELCOME TO BURGUNDY’S CAPITAL
Arrival in Dijon with the TGV high speed train.
Transfer is not included and could be arranged. The hotel is a short ride from the train station.
Check in at the Hotel du Chapeau Rouge (or similar) for the next 2 nights
Meet the group to go to dinner at the double Michelin-starred restaurant of Chef William Frachot. (Wine is included and a vegetarian option is available with advance notice.)
DIJON: THE CAPITAL OF THE DUKES OF BURGUNDY
Morning guided tour across the “city of a hundred steeples” with its medieval architecture, the Saint Benigne Cathedral and the Church of Notre Dame.
The majestic Palace of the Dukes was rebuilt by Phillip the Hardy starting in 1365. It evolved over time to include the classical architecture of the facade designed by Mansard, architect of Versailles. The building is now home of the City Hall, the Fine Art Museum, and the tombs of the dukes.
Visit les “Halles Gourmandes” with a degustation of top-quality local products.
Afternoon visit to “Mulot Petit Jean” to learn about the famous “pain d’epice de Dijon,” (spice bread), a time-honored recipe dating back to the 14th century made from rye flour, honey and spices.
https://mulotpetitjean.com/maison/en/visit-the-factory/
Evening master cooking class: prepare your dinner and enjoy the food you prepared in a convivial atmosphere.
MUSTARD, CASSIS AND FROMAGE IN BURGUNDY
Depart for Beaune, a drive of just 25 miles.
Check-in at your hotel for 2 nights.
On arrival visit the ancient hospital dating from 1443 with its imposing architecture and exquisite decorative glazed roof tiles.
Proceed to the Fallot Mustard Mill, a family owned company since 1840 with the expertise of an artisan mustard maker.
Lunch at “Loiseau des Vignes,” where the cellar holds up to 2,000 bottles of Burgundy wines (wine is not included).
In the afternoon, visit a family farm which cultivates the famous cassis (black currants) of Burgundy; afterwards, visit a cheesemaker for a tour and tasting. These are the black currants that flavor the Crème de Cassis liqueur used to make a classic Kir cocktail.
BEAUNE: CAPITAL OF BURGUNDY WINES
Morning guided excursion to explore the renowned “Côte de Nuits.” We will follow the Route des Grands Crus, passing villages world famous Burgundian villages such as Gevrey Chambertin, Clos Vougeot, Vosne Romanée, Nuits Saint Georges, and Aloxe Corton.
Wine tasting as we meet the Rion Family to learn about local wines: Cotes de Beaune and Cotes de Nuit.
Free time in Beaune for lunch and roaming about in the old city.
Then we’ll go to discover the fine art of barrel making, which is critical to the aging process of the famed wines of this region.
Dinner of Burgundian specialties at a local restaurant.
THE BEAUTY OF THE BRESSE REGION
We will drive towards Bourg-en Bresse (75 miles, 1h 1/2 drive) stopping to visit the Royal Monastery of Brou, built 5 centuries ago by an exceptional woman, Marguerite of Austria, for her beloved husband Philibert Le Beau.
Our lunch will be at the world famous restaurant of George Blanc in Vonnas.
Next we visit a farm and learn about the unique “Poulet de Bresse,” an AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée, controlled label of origin). This luxury chicken with its white feathers, smooth blue feet, and a red comb is beloved by French chefs in the finest restaurants.
We’ll also stop at a unique village bakery, “Les Gaudelices” specializing in “les gaudrioles” biscuits, which are known for their sweet butter shortbread texture made using roasted corn flour in a recipe used by generations of Bressan grandmothers.
We continue to the village of Blace in the heart of the Beaujolais vineyards where we’ll spend the night.
SOME OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES IN FRANCE
En route to Lyon, we will see the Beaujolais “villages des Pierres Dorées” (gilded stones). Here the streets light up and change colors as the day progresses. Their special limestone takes on their golden color when stained with iron oxides. Among them Oingt is ranked as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France!
Traditional lunch in an authentic decor.
A guided walking tour of Perouges, a lively medieval small city, will take you back in time.
Sample the “Galette Perougienne” with local cider before continuing to Lyon.
Check-in for 4 nights at the Sofitel Hotel located in the heart of the city.
Evening at leisure.
THE VIEUX LYON & LA CROIX ROUSSE, “THE HILL THAT WORKS”
Walk through “Vieux Lyon” (Old Lyon) in the morning. This part of the city stands between the Hill of Fourvieres and the River Saone. Our guide will take us through more than 1,000 years of history in the 3 districts of Saint Georges, Saint Jean and Saint Paul. Renaissance building facades, inner courtyards, and the famous traditional “Traboules” passageways that link two streets are proof of the wealth of their past owners.
We’ll taste some local food products as we go along.
Free time for lunch before visiting the “Croix Rousse” district and learning the history of the “canuts” silk weavers and how Lyon became the European Capital of Silk Weaving beginning in the 16th century. Admire the traditional work of silk screening at a silk workshop.
Dinner will be at a traditional, picturesque and friendly “bouchon”. These restaurants unique to Lyon were once run by “Les Meres Lyonnaises,” (the mothers of Lyon) who cooked simple dishes made of fresh local products served to the “canuts” accompanied by Beaujolais or Cotes du Rhone wine.
HALLES DE PAUL BOCUSE, LEISURE TIME & COOKING CLASS
“If gastronomy were a religion, Lyon would be a pilgrimage site, Les Halles would be the temple, and its sixty-or-so shopkeepers would be the preachers.” This is a not-to-be-missed place for lovers of French cuisine. We will have a guided tour here to visit vendors and sample some of the finest products Lyon has to offer.
An afternoon at leisure will allow you to stroll on your own through Lyon’s elegant shopping district.
We’ll meet again in the evening to go to our cooking class and prepare our dinner.
FOURVIÈRES, THE HILL WHICH PRAYS & THE CONFLUENCE DISTRICT
We start the day with our guide by going to the top of the hill of Fourvières where the basilica overlooks the whole city and the panorama from the esplanade is breathtaking. Mosaics, stained glass windows, and marble decorate the inside.
Then we’ll continue to the tip of the Peninsula where the Rhone and Saone Rivers meet.
Among the new developments of contemporary Lyon stands the “Musée des Confluences,” a glass building which offers exceptional exhibits related to natural history and anthropology.
Our farewell gala dinner will be at the famous “Brasserie Georges” which opened in 1836.
Breakfast at your hotel and check out.
End of services.
We can arrange transfers to the train station or the airport in accordance with your schedule (service is not included).
PROPOSED HOTELS (or similar)
Dijon: Hotel du Chapeau Rouge (or similar)
2 nights, September 26 – 28, 2026
Website: Hotel du Chapeau Rouge
Address: 5 Rue Michelet, 21000 Dijon, France
Contact: +33 3 80 50 88 88
The Hostellerie du Chapeau Rouge welcomes you in Burgundy, in the heart of the historic center of Dijon, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, just 15 minutes from the famous Route des Grands Crus, whose climates are also inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Beaune: Hotel Mercure Centre (or similar)
2 nights, September 28 – 30, 2026
Website: Hotel Mercure Centre Beaune
Address: 7 Av. Charles de Gaulle, 21200 Beaune, France
Contact: +33 3 80 22 22 00
Close to the famous Hospices de Beaune and the city center, the 4-star Mercure Beaune Centre hotel is perfect for your business meetings and relaxing family stays. In a contemporary and renovated setting, our professional and welcoming teams will exceed your expectations, enabling you to work in complete serenity.
Beauce; Village Hotel Le Savigny & Spa (or similar)
1 night, September 30 – October 1, 2026
Website: Beauce Village Hotel Le Savigny & Spa
Address: Pl. de Verdun, 69460 Blacé, France
Contact: +33 4 74 67 52 07
In the heart of the Beaujolais vineyards, in an entirely restored family home, Hotel Le Savigny, waits to greet you warmly. A charming resort furnished with highly comfortable rooms, will allow a calm and peaceful stay. The hotel is of easy access, being situated at the centre of the small village of Blacé.
Lyon Sofitel (or similar)
4 nights, October 1 – 5, 2026
Website: Sofitel Lyon
Address: 20 Quai du Dr Gailleton, 69002 Lyon, France
Contact: +33 4 72 41 20 20
5* hotel is located on the banks of the Rhône river near the Vieux Lyon, World Heritage Site, Place Bellecour, Parc de la Tête d’Or and the city’s countless museums and cultural attractions. With 164 sleek rooms and panoramic suites, the Sofitel Lyon Bellecour offers a very comfortable stay in the center of Lyon.
Aliza Green is a pioneering Philadelphia-based chef, experienced culinary tour leader, and James Beard Award-winning author. Her fifteen books include “Starting with Ingredients,” “Top 100 Cookbook of the Last 25 Years,” and “Field Guide to Herbs & Spices.” Celestial Voyagers has partnered with Chef Green to create unique cultural tours with a culinary focus for 2025 and 2026. You can find this program on Chef Aliza’s website and learn more details about her work.
https://www.alizagreen.com/culinary-tour/culture-cuisine-wine-dijon-to-lyon
$8,895 per person sharing in a double room
Deposit $750 due upon registration
Single supplement + $1,575
Final payment due: Friday, July 10, 2026
| Your departure flight should arrive in Paris with TGV train connection to Dijon. Return flight from Lyon or from Paris with TGV train between Lyon and CDG (not included). This trip is a land only program. Please contact Celestial Voyagers before booking your flights. We can help you to select the best route, schedule and fare you may want. Should you get your ticket on your own please send us a copy in order to assist you with arrival and departure transfers. |
Celestial Voyager’s Terms and Conditions relate to specific contracts with various suppliers. The policies and regulations below must be strictly enforced.
We may adjust the program, but we will commit to creating the best possible program for guests with safety, comfort, and ease our top priorities.
A deposit of $750 is paid online at time of registration and will guarantee your space and the type of room you wish to reserve. We do recommend registering as soon as possible.
Final payment is due by Friday, July 10, 2026.
Should you register after Friday, July 10, 2026 full payment is due; deposit can be paid on line and the balance due should follow as soon as you receive your invoice.
All changes and cancellations must be provided in writing via email or postal service.
Your deposit is refundable up to Friday, June 26, 2026 minus $350 processing fee.
For cancellation received in writing between Saturday, June 27, 2026 and Sunday, July 12, 2026, the deposit is non refundable.
For cancellation received in writing between Monday, July 13, 2026 and Sunday, July 26, 2026, the penalty is 50 % of the trip value.
For cancellation received in writing after Sunday, July 26, 2026 and in case of no show the penalty is 100% of the trip value.
Should you be able to provide a new participant to take your place the name change fee will be waived and no penalty will apply.
We advise all travelers to purchase travel insurance in case of any unforeseen circumstances and if you are no longer able to travel. We offer the following insurance policies through Allianz Travel Insurance: Basic, Classic, and Classic with cancel anytime. Prices vary with age and amount insured.
Click on the link below for more details:
https://celestialvoyagers.com/leisure/leisure-insurance-passports-visas/
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Passport
Most countries require that a passport be valid for six months beyond the completion of a trip. If your passport expires before April 5, 2027, you must apply to renew your passport.
Visa
If you are not a U.S. citizen please check with the Consulate of France or a visa agency for the latest requirements. You will also need a re-entry permit to return to the USA.
Aliza Green is a renowned chef, an award-winning author of 15 cookbooks, and a certified tour director who is experienced in planning and leading international culinary tours. She loves to share her deep culinary knowledge, her fascinating stories, and kitchen tips and tricks gained from her extensive experience in the kitchen.