8 things to do with kids in Burgundy, France

26.09.2023 - 06:13 / lonelyplanet.com

Burgundy (“Bourgogne” in French) is home to world-famous vineyards, chateaux and abbeys, and many strong cheeses – the kinds of things that generally appeal to adults more than kids.

The region is unlikely to be at the top of a family travel hit list, but that doesn’t mean that it’s lacking in things to do with children. Adults considering a wine-tasting holiday can easily factor in nonalcoholic activities that will keep younger members of the family happy. Here’s what you need to know about visiting Burgundy with kids.

With beautiful landscapes to cycle through, a range of parks and plenty of places for outdoor adventures, there are many activities to suit the whole family in Burgundy.  

While restaurants don’t always have high chairs or changing facilities, attitudes to children when it comes to eating out are invariably welcoming. A typical children’s menu will include steak haché et frites (minced steak and fries) or some kind of croque monsieur. In places that don’t offer a specific menu for kids, staff are usually very happy to arrange a half portion (demi portion) of any of the main dishes. Boeuf bourguignon – a beef, mushroom and bacon stew often served with pasta or mashed potato – is a local dish that has historically been very popular with my kids. 

Burgundy is a big region, and where you stay really depends on the kinds of activities you want to do. Dijon, as a walkable city, is a good base for those with babies and very young children, who will enjoy the historic carousel and city trail as well as the fossil-filled museum in the Jardin de l’Arquebuse. For older kids, who might appreciate more outdoors adventures, the Jura near the Swiss border and the Morvan are designated as parcs naturel régional (regional nature parks) and offer more active pursuits, such as canoeing, biking and climbing.

Keep a toddler’s mind occupied and their little legs going by engaging them on Dijon’s Owl Trail (Parcours de la chouette). Follow the small triangular bronze plaques embedded in the historic cobbled streets and beyond, forming a tour of the city with 22 different stops marked by larger rectangular plaques. Be sure to stop by rue de la Chouette and rub the stone owl sculpture on the side of the Église Notre Dame for a chance at happiness and wisdom.

Around 40km (25 miles) west of Auxerre is Guédelon, a unique construction site. Since 1997, a team of 40 builders have been recreating a castle using only materials and methods that were available during the medieval period. Tour the site, chat with craftspeople or take part in a stone carving workshop, and leave with a fascinating sense of what life was like in the Middle Ages.

There is a host of prehistoric caves to explore, with guided tours lasting 75 to 90