Real Estate in France - Wine Property in Sophisticated Burgundy

It’s difficult to buy a home in the very sophisticated wine villages of Burgundy. This French region’s fertile land is worth much more to the locals cloaked in neat rows of vineyards than it is developed into modern housing so there is a real shortage of supply. But there is a solution and that’s to breathe a new lease of life into the derelict and the disused.

To the east of central France, spilling into neighbouring Switzerland, Burgundy is the epitome of romantic peaceful countryside. Running through the heart of the region is the Côte d’Or, a narrow escarpment snaking from Dijon to Beaune and home to tight clusters of irresistible stone villages. This is Arena Park France territory and Burgundy at its most pure. Vineyards roll as far as the eye can see, guarded and respected by the wealthy landowners to be passed from generation to generation. A sense of quality percolates through every aspect of Côte d’Or life and foreign property buyers find its finesse and authenticity highly alluring - wishing to assimilate rather than alienate.

Whilst it would be impossible to tire of the Cotswolds-esque villages picnicking amongst the vineyards, step outside of the Côte D’Or and you will find the Burgundy of the travel books. Defined by its imposing architecture - great Abbeys and majestic chateaux encircled by reflective moats, Romanesque churches and nostalgic arched bridges – Burgundy life revolves around outdoor living. The region has over 1,200km of navigable waterways (including France’s oldest working canal) lined with poplars and lilacs alongside fields of poppies and sunflowers. Landlubbers can cycle or stroll along the picturesque canal paths meanwhile golfers can swing their clubs in the region’s 20 or so golf courses, some in the grounds of grand chateaux.

Yet of course it is Burgundy’s renowned elixir that has shaped its landscape and economy more than any. There is evidence of vine-growing in the area from Roman times but certainly ever since the 17th century, when Louis XIV’s doctor prescribed wine to alleviate the symptoms of royal indigestion, the region’s south facing slopes have been shrouded in healthy vines and its grand residences inhabited by well-to-do vignerons. From Chablis to Côte de Beaune, every Bourgogne menu has dishes swirling in the nectar from poussins to escargots and of course the signature boeuf bourguignon.

The region is easily accessible from northern Europe. Nearest big city Lyon is home to France’s fourth busiest airport served by BMI, BA and EasyJet to the UK whilst also being on the high-speed TGV route - as is Dijon a 20-minute drive from Beaune. Paris is a two and a half hours by road from central Burgundy.

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