Wine buffs and food lovers could not be better placed for visits to Pommard, Volnay, Mersault and Beaune. One of the pleasures of living two steps from the home of a wine merchant is that tastings and tours can be personally arranged; and there’s not a lot Guy Boursot doesn’t know about Burgundy wines. As for the gite, it’s an immaculate two-storey vigneron’s house standing in a vast garden in a quiet, friendly corner of the village. The odd train passes by but the birdsong is louder – trees and barns are great mufflers! Enter the porch marquise to find big airy rooms with their 1850s’ features intact, windows, doors and tommettes all gleaming and well cared-for. The décor is traditional French yet the comforts are 21st century… soft-carpeted bedrooms with new mattresses and laundered linen, great modern bathrooms, a super kitchen, wifi and satellite TV. Outside: a shady arbour for summery meals, herbs from the garden, eggs from the hens, and a beautiful old fig tree in the gravelled courtyard. Pick figs for breakfast, stroll to the village for croissants and baguettes.
