April 15-20, 2025

From 2,200.00 €.

In spring our Villa Tais traditionally together with Alex Exler gathers a group to discover Burgundy, its beauties and of course the famous Burgundy wine! The program includes visits to ancient and fairy-tale towns, tastings in wineries, as well as evening feasts accompanied by Olga's wonderful author's cuisine and, of course, conversations with Alex and Yuri! The program will end with a wonderful wine festival in the town of Tonnerre, which is traditionally held in the longest medieval hospital in Europe, built in the late XIII century. Such an event takes place here only once a year, join us, it will be interesting and fun!

Price includes:

  • Accommodation at Villa Thaїs, 5 nights;
  • Breakfasts;
  • Dinners consist of four changes (appetizer, hot meals, cheeses, dessert);
  • There may be changes in the program depending on the weather and the capacity of the producers to host the group, in which case an equal substitution will be made;
  • Wine is included in all 5 dinners;
  • Champagne and/or wine will be provided for each dinner at the rate of 1 bottle per two people for the entire dinner, drinking of wine/champagne purchased at the tastings is encouraged, additional wine may be purchased at the Villa (over 1000 bottles in the collection), tastings are attended by the hosts of the house (2 people);
  • All specified tastings and visits;
  • Transport escort during the program Nissan Primastar, driver and 8 people.

Additional fees include:

  • Flight;
  • Transfer to the town of Tonnerre and return;
  • There are direct trains from Paris to Tonnerre, 2 hours on the road, cost €34 per person one-way;
  • An optional cab from / to Tonnerre is a 5-seater minibus, costing about 400 euros one-way, advance booking required;
  • Lunches in restaurants (about 30-50 euros);
  • Medical insurance.

Itineraries

Day 1

Date : April 15, 2025

Check-in at Villa Thais, Tonnerre, Northern Burgundy

  • Meeting at Tonnerre train station (direct train from Paris from Gare de Bercy, 2 hours drive);
  • Accommodation in Villa Thais guest house;
  • General meeting, program sorting out;
  • Walk around the town of Tonnerre - history of the town, Chevalier d'Eon, Basilisk and other notable townsfolk;
  • Alex - “Welcoming remarks and a bit about how this tour will be run”;
  • Welcome Dinner Burgundian Classics with Burgundy - wines from the Yona department (Northern Burgundy) and the Châtillon wine area (Crémant - sparkling).

Day 2

Date : April 16, 2025

Chablis and Auxerre

  • Breakfast;
  • Departure to Chablis;
  • Walk on the Hill of Grand Cru - introduction to Cru in Chablis;
  • Chablis tasting at the farm;
  • Lunch in a bar-restaurant with the best wine list in the area;
  • Transfer to Auxerre - the capital of the department;
  • City tour;
  • Visit to the brocante, a permanent flea market;
  • Return to Tonnerre to Villa Tais;
  • Spanish-inspired dinner by Alex Exler, interactive - talk about our favorite dishes, compare Spanish wine and Burgundy.

Day 3

Date : April 17, 2025

Vézelay and Avalon, Costume Museum

  • Breakfast;
  • Departure to Vezelay, the “Eternal” hill, one of Burgundy's most popular destinations;
  • Wine tasting of Vezelay wines;
  • Sightseeing tour of Vezelay, Basilica of Mary Magdalene;
  • Picnic lunch at the Fail - Roche Percée, a local landmark;
  • Transfer to Avalon, city of the 3 marshals, city tour;
  • Visit to the private costume museum Musée Du Costume;
  • Return visit to the manufacturer of cookies and chocolates - store at the factory;
  • Return to Tonnerre at Villa Thais;
  • Alex - “How I choose movies and TV series to watch, the specifics of rating appreciation”;
  • Interactive - talking about our favorite movies and TV series;
  • White Burgundy dinner, including Premier Cru and Chablis Grand Cru wines.

Day 4

Date : April 18, 2025

Dijon, cheese tasting and Michelin restaurant

  • Early breakfast, departure by Côte d'Or to Dijon, the capital of Burgundy (130 km, 1.5 hours);
  • Stop at the famous Romanée-Conti cross;
  • Cheese tasting at the production facility, accompanied by Burgundy wine, the last place where the famous Burgundy Epoisses cheese is made from non-pasteurized milk;
  • Lunch at a Michelin restaurant (not included);
  • City tour of Dijon and free time;
  • Return to Tonnerre at Villa Thais;
  • Alex - “What was before the Internet, what were electronic bulletin boards and what was the Fido network”, interactive - did you participate in any networks before the Internet;
  • Dinner The Other Burgundy with little-known apelachons that offer a great price-quality combination, Villages and Premier Cru level wines included.

Day 5

Date : April 19, 2025

Chateau, Green Giants and Tonnerre Wine Festival

  • Breakfast;
  • Departure to one of the beautiful Renaissance castles, tour of the castle;
  • Transfer and visit to the Forest of Green Giants La forêt des Géants Verts, the creation of artist Alain Bresson, master of landscape art and forest sculptures;
  • Return to Tonnerre;
  • Tonnerre Wine Festival - tastings of wines from Tonnerre, Chablis, all of Burgundy and beyond. Held in the longest medieval hospital in Europe - Hôtel-Dieu of Tonnerre, built in 1295;
  • We give participants in the celebration a glass with a special symbol that allows you to sample wines at the celebration (including reds) from all the farms represented (several dozen);
  • Lunch - street food and appetizers at the celebration (not included);
  • Return to Tonnerre at Villa Thais on foot - 500m;
  • Alex - Freestyle Q&A;
  • Final Grand Cru dinner with great Burgundy wines from the Côte d'Or, including Grand Cru.

Day 6

Date : April 20, 2025

Departure

  • Breakfast;
  • Departure.