What is Burgundy in France?

Burgundy is a historical region and former administrative r\u00e9gion in east-central France. It is now part of the larger administrative region of Bourgogne-Franche-Comt\u00e9, formed in 2016 by merging Burgundy with Franche-Comt\u00e9. The historical region encompassed the d\u00e9partements of C\u00f4te-d\u2019Or, Sa\u00f4ne-et-Loire, Ni\u00e8vre, and Yonne. Burgundy is renowned for its diverse geography, linking the Paris Basin to the Sa\u00f4ne River corridor. It is also famous for its wine production, particularly from areas like the C\u00f4te d'Or, which includes the celebrated districts of Beaune and Nuits, producing world-famous Burgundy wines. The region also has a rich history, having been home to the Burgundians, a Germanic people, and later a powerful duchy that played a significant role in French history. The term "burgundy" is also used to describe a culinary style, such as "beef Burgundy," which involves cooking in red wine.

Where is Burgundy located?

Burgundy is a historical region located in east-central France. It was formerly a r\u00e9gion encompassing the d\u00e9partements of C\u00f4te-d\u2019Or, Sa\u00f4ne-et-Loire, Ni\u00e8vre, and Yonne. In 2016, Burgundy merged with Franche-Comt\u00e9 to form the new administrative region of Bourgogne-Franche-Comt\u00e9. This new region is bordered by Auvergne-Rh\u00f4ne-Alpes to the south, Centre to the west, and \u00cele-de-France and Grand Est to the north, with Switzerland to the east. The capital of Bourgogne-Franche-Comt\u00e9 is Dijon.

Why is Burgundy an important region in French history?

Burgundy's historical significance in France stems from its role as a powerful duchy and its strategic location. The region was a key territory in the Capetian family's domain and later became a significant part of the Burgundian state, which extended into the Low Countries. The dukes of Burgundy, particularly Philip the Bold and Philip the Good, significantly expanded their influence and attempted to centralize power. Beaune, a town within Burgundy, served as a residence for the dukes and was the site of the first Burgundian Parliament. The region's history is also intertwined with major conflicts like the Hundred Years' War, during which Burgundy played a notable role. Burgundy's rich cultural heritage is also evident in its Romanesque and Gothic architecture and its renowned wine production.

What are some famous foods or products from Burgundy?

Burgundy is renowned for its distinctive culinary contributions, most notably its wines and a classic beef dish.

How did Burgundy change over time, especially in its borders or role?

Burgundy, historically a significant region in France, has undergone considerable changes in its borders and role. Initially, it was the territory of the Burgundians, a Germanic people who established a kingdom in the 5th century. This kingdom was later absorbed by the Franks. The duchy of Burgundy, a powerful feudal state, emerged and was a prominent peerage within the Kingdom of France. In the 14th century, the dukes of Burgundy began consolidating territories in the Low Countries, creating a vast state that included Flanders, Brabant, and Franche-Comté, though this union was based on personal rule rather than a unified state. The duchy of Burgundy itself was annexed by the French crown in 1477 after the death of Charles the Bold. The region of Charolais, historically part of Burgundy, was eventually united with France in 1761. As a modern r\u00e9gion of France, Burgundy comprised the d\u00e9partements of C\u00f4te-d\u2019Or, Sa\u00f4ne-et-Loire, Ni\u00e8vre, and Yonne. In 2016, this r\u00e9gion merged with Franche-Comt\u00e9 to form the new administrative entity of Bourgogne-Franche-Comt\u00e9.

What happened to Burgundy when France reorganized its regions in the 21st century?

In 2016, France reorganized its regions, merging the former region of Burgundy with Franche-Comté to create the new administrative entity of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté. This reorganization was part of a national plan to reduce the number of regions and address bureaucratic redundancies. The capital of the new Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region is Dijon.

Burgundy

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Images

Map of France highlighting the Burgundy (Bourgogne) region in white at the center-east of the country, with major cities such as Dijon, Nevers, Auxerre, and Macon labeled. Surrounding countries and bodies of water, including Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Mediterranean Sea, are also shown. An inset map in the upper left corner shows the location of Burgundy within France.

A high-speed TGV train with orange and white cars travels through green fields and farmland in the Burgundy region of France, with a village visible in the background.

Thematic map of Europe and the Mediterranean showing the routes of various barbarian groups during the invasions of the late Roman Empire. Colored arrows trace the migrations of groups such as the Goths, Vandals, Franks, Saxons, and others, with boundaries of the Roman Empire in 395 CE and subsequent political divisions marked. Major kingdoms and cities are labeled, illustrating the movement and settlement patterns of these peoples.

Portrait of Philip III, Duke of Burgundy, also known as Philip the Good, wearing an ornate red robe and elaborate red headdress, painted in oil on panel.

At a Glance

Burgundy summary

Burgundy

historical region and former région, France

Also known as: Bourgogne

Written and fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

History

Geography

Burgundy links the Paris Basin to the Saône River corridor and has a diverse physical structure. In the northwest the undulating lowlands of the Paris Basin give way progressively to plateaus of Jurassic (about 200 to 145 million years ago) origin that stretch in a broad arc from the Nivernais Plateau in the west to the Langres Plateau in the east. They surround the crystalline uplands of Monan and Charolais. These different upland areas are cut by a series of depressions and river valleys that form an important watershed; the Loire and Seine rivers flow northward to the Atlantic Ocean, whereas the Saône has its outlet in the Rhône and ultimately the Mediterranean.

Burgundy is sparsely populated, particularly outside the urban areas. The process of rural depopulation that characterized France in the 19th and early 20th centuries was quite pronounced in Burgundy, and its population declined by almost one-fourth between 1872 and 1946. Then, following a postwar period of renewed growth, from the early 1980s the increase in population slowed substantially, largely as a result of outward migration to neighbouring régions. Despite an overall decline of population, the northern départements of Yonne and Côte-d’Or have experienced demographic growth, supported by the inflow of population from the Paris metropolitan area.

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Agriculture is varied. Beef cattle are raised in the upland areas in Nièvre and the western part of Saône-et-Loire, which is noted as the point of origin for the Charolais breed. Dairy cattle are raised in the east. Large-scale cereal farming is practiced in Yonne and the northern portion of Côte-d’Or. Along the lower slopes of the Côte-d’Or is Burgundy’s premier wine-producing district. The vineyards, comprising the two main groups of Beaune and Nuits, produce the most celebrated Burgundy wines, including Clos-Vougeot, Gevrey-Chambertin, Nuits-Saint-Georges, and Pommard. The Yonne valley also produces fine wines, especially those of Chablis, east of Auxerre.

Metallurgy has long been an important industry, particularly in the département of Saône-et-Loire. Other industries include electrical and electronics equipment, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and food processing, giving Burgundy a diversified industrial structure. Employment is now concentrated in the service sector, but growth has been slow, partly reflecting the absence of a large metropolitan area.

Burgundy has a number of historic sites, such as the cathedrals at Auxerre and Sens, the Romanesque basilica of Vézelay, and the châteaus of Ancy-le-Franc, Tanlay, Fleurigny, and Saint-Fargeau. Paray-le-Monial is a pilgrimage centre with a Romanesque church modeled on the celebrated Cluny abbey.

Burgundy is supplied by a number of major transportation arteries. Dijon, Mâcon, and Le Creusot are all accessible by high-speed train (train à grande vitesse; TGV), while the Saône River is navigable (for large-capacity barges) from Chalon-sur-Saône southward, where it joins the Rhône River. Spurred by the ease of rail and road access, some residents and businesses from the Paris metropolitan area have relocated to the northern part of the département of Yonne.

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Burgundy

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