Vallée de la Gastronomie: Dijon to Lyon
September 25 to October 5, 2026
Join Us for an Unforgettable Culinary Adventure!
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.
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.
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. 
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: Côtes de Beaune and Côtes de Nuits.
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 ou 
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).
Pricing
$8,895 per person sharing in a double room
Single supplement + $1,575
Final payment due: Friday, July 10, 2026
Deposit $750 due upon registration
Hotel Details
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.
Testimonials
Tour Highlights
- Visit the “Mulot Petit Jean” to learn about the famous “pain d’épice de Dijon,” (spice bread), a time-honored recipe dating back to the 14th century made from rye flour, honey and spices.
- In Beaune, see the historic hospital dating from 1443 with its imposing architecture and exquisite decorative glazed roof tiles.
- Visit a family farm which cultivates the famous cassis (black currants) of Burgundy used to make the Kir cocktail.
- Hands-on cooking class at the Salt & Pepper cooking atelier in Dijon with a passionate and professional chef.
- Wine tasting as we meet the Rion Family to learn about their small production local wines, Cotes de Beaune and Cotes de Nuit.
- Discover the fine art of barrel making, which is critical to the aging process of the famed wines of this region.
- Lunch at the world famous George Blanc Restaurant in Vonnas, Michelin-starred since 1929. Heir to three generations of outstanding cooks and mothers, Chef Blanc pays tribute to the Bresse region in his cuisine.
- Learn the history of Lyon’s “canuts” (silk weavers) and how Lyon became the European Capital of Silk Weaving beginning in the 16th century followed by a demo of silk screening at a silk workshop.
- See the “Musée des Confluences in Lyon, a modern glass structure which offers exceptional exhibits related to natural history and anthropology.
- Farewell gala dinner at the legendary Brasserie Georges, founded in 1836 by Alsatian brewer Georges Hoffher, serving traditional Lyonnaise fare and beer in an art deco dining room.
Services Included
- 2 nights accommodation in Dijon: Hotel du Chapeau Rouge or similar
- 2 nights accommodation in Beaune Hotel Mercure Centre or similar
- 1 night accommodation in the Village of Blace or similar
- 4 nights accommodation in Lyon at the Sofitel or similar
- Tourist tax
- Breakfast daily
- 6 Dinners and 3 lunches (beverages according to program)
- Worldly renown restaurants:
- William Frachot Restaurant in Dijon, ** Michelin 2025
- Loiseau des Vignes in Beaune, in commemoration of Bernard Loiseau
- A typical “bouchon” in Lyon
- Brasserie Georges in Lyon
- Les Halles Paul Bocuse (tour and food sampling)
- Local product sampling on tour in Dijon “Halles Gourmandes” and Les Halles Paul Bocuse in Lyon
- 2 cooking classes (1 for lunch, 1 for dinner)
- Wine tasting visit in Burbundy
- Transportation in tourist coach or mini van
- Guided city tours in Dijon, Beaune, Pérouges and Lyon
- Guided excursion to explore the “Côtes de Nuits” wine region
- Cultural visits of the “Hospices de Beaune”, Brou Royal Monastery, “Villages des Pierres Dorées”, Silkscreen workshop, and Musée des Confluences”.
- Visits related to gastronomy: spice bread, mustard, barrel making, cassis, cheese, Gaudelices biscuits, Bresse chicken farm, “Galette Perougienne”.
Services Not Included
- International airfare:
- Outbound flight into Paris with TGV train connection to Dijon
- Return flight from Lyon or from Paris with TGV train between Lyon and CDG
- Single room supplement: Additional charge of $1575 for a private room
- Private transfers: Arrival and departure transfers not included (available at additional cost)
- Meals not specified: All meals not explicitly listed as included in the itinerary
- Beverages: Unless otherwise noted, beverages during meals are not included
- Travel insurance: Highly recommended, including trip cancellation, medical, and baggage coverage
- Gratuities: Tips for guides, drivers, and other service providers
- Personal expenses: Such as laundry, phone calls, minibar, and other incidentals
- Excess luggage fees: Any charges incurred for exceeding airline luggage limits
- Passport and visa fees:
- Travelers are responsible for securing all required travel documents
- Non-U.S. citizens may need a visa; please check with your consulate
- U.S. permanent residents must travel with a valid Green Card
- All passports must be valid for at least six months beyond the trip’s end date