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Where to stay in France: Two historic buildings in Burgundy
A former hunting lodge from the 18th century, and a beautiful 12th-century Gothic-Romanesque hotel.
This former hunting lodge dates from the 18th century, and has period features and antique furniture. Nearby attractions include the saltworks of Salins-les-Bains, which was made a Unesco World Heritage site in 2009, not to mention the many vineyards and wineries of the Burgundy region.
The hotel has only been open for 12 years but feels, "like the best of French countryside hotels, as if it has been in the same caring hands for decades", says Fiona Duncan in The Daily Telegraph. It is "homely yet elegant" with "the occasional glitzy touch, such as glitterball lights in the dining room, to give a contemporary twist". The 20 bedrooms are all "cosy, with attractive, if small bathrooms". If you can, book room 17, which has "a lovely draped bed".
The Mediterranean-influenced restaurant is Michelin-starred, while wine sommelier Christophe Menozzi "is the country's leading expert on the wines of Jura, with a cellar to match".
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This beautiful 12th-century Gothic-Romanesque hotel started life as a Cistercian abbey. It was given a top-to-toe renovation in 2005 and is now a luxury hotel, situated among some of Burgundy's best vineyards.
The hotel is spectacular. "Arched colonnades and tall ecclesiastical windows... bathe the place in butterscotch light," says Sally Howard in The Sunday Times. "There's a chill-out lounge in the former crypt; and antechambers for contemplation over a glass of one of the region's heavenly reds." Even amid the grand setting, the rooms don't disappoint: "spruced up in an English-meets-French country-house vein, with wrought-iron-skirted windows, mahogany armoires and four-poster beds". Be sure to book a wine-tasting session in the stone outbuilding, which "houses a monks' communion wine press that's still in working order".
"It would be worth coming here for the food alone," says Giles Milton in The Daily Telegraph. The hotel restaurant is Michelin-starred, and head chef Emmanuel Hbrard produces "truly spectacular Burgundian cuisine".
Doubles from £165 (£12 extra for breakfast). For more, visit www.abbaye-dela-bussiere.com, or call 00 33 380 490 229.
Where to eat in Burgundy
L'Esprance "is quite simply one of the finest Michelin-starred restaurants in France", says Giles Milton in The Daily Telegraph. "Directed by the celebrity chef Marc Meneau, the dishes are highly inventive and sublime to boot." Try turbot cooked in a salt casing, Bresse chicken roasted in paper, or "his famous strawberries in milk". The cheapest menu lunch only is £50, not including wine (Marc-meneau-esperance.com).
Chef Bernard Loiseau killed himself in 2003 amid fears he might lose his third Michelin star. Patrick Bertron, head chef at Relais Bernard Loiseau in Saulieu (pictured above), worked under Loiseau for 21 years. The restaurant "still has three stars and still offers Loiseau's brand of nouvelle cuisine", including frogs' legs with garlic pure, says Julian Brookes in The Times. From £59 (Bernard-loiseau.com).
At Le France, chef Jerome Brochet adds a personal touch to traditional Burgundian dishes, says Milton. His charolais of beef with artichoke pure is "outstanding", while turbot cooked in milk "is among the more unusual choices". From £33 (7 Place Beaubernard, Montceau-Les-Mines, 00 33 385 679530).
Le Grand Couvert at La Colline du Colombier in Iguerande offers the chef's take on "rustic French comfort food" in a "converted barn with Eames chairs", says Brookes. Dishes include snail bruschetta, and scrambled eggs with chanterelle and parmesan. Menus from £26 (Troisgros.fr).
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