Monthly Archives: June 2014

Scheibler power plant in Łódź

Exploring Bourgogne (Burgundy)

We did not have a strict plan where to go, we just had a general idea, a direction. And the direction was Côte-d’Or a part of Burgundy, the premiere wine-growing region with vineyards producing Chardonnay and my beloved Pinot Noir. So we set nav system for the shortest route criteria and started from Mâcon heading for Dijon. Sometimes we stayed on Route des Grands Crus, and sometimes we took narrow roads through vineyards, forests, fields and small villages. Roads sometimes so insanely narrow that they barely fit one car.

The view of the countryside along the way was breathtaking yet there was something missing. I figured it out too late. I was missing the summer smell of Provence, herbs, lavender. Burgundy is extraordinary, I’d love to go there for much longer to feel it deeply but I have soaked with Provence to some extent I think and I look for it everywhere. What was surprising and unexpected is that in strictly wine making region there are not that many fields with grapes. In Provence it’s overwhelming, every corner, every piece of land, even smallest one is a grape field but in Burgundy in some parts we were driving for 15-20 minutes not seeing any grape … well, we were not driving fast though ;)

As to wine, opinion from amateur … best Pinot Noir I’ve ever tested. There is one thing I couldn’t figure out so far. Locally in Poland you can buy Pinot Noir from region, pay fortune but it’s not even close to what you can get locally regardless price! Maybe the problem is with transportation, or bottling plant I don’t know but the difference is huge.

Enjoy those few selected photos, I do hope you’ll see Burgundy the way I felt it.

Taubenloch, Etang de Gruyere and Biel/Bienne

It’s a one day trip to see all so it’s no brainer really. Just a nice weather is the key factor here to make this trip worth.

Recommended visiting sequence if driving from south (e.g. Lausanne) is to take Biel/Bienne first, have a lunch, drink coffee, no rush ;) …

Done? Now go to Taubenloch. I’ve selected few links about it but it is really easy to find information in internet:

One note here, we’ve taken trail from the other side that is not from Biel/Bienne but from train station in Frinvillier where we left a car. Getting to the actual trail is not very easy, signs are not well exposed. Near entrance however there is a restaurant so look for it. If you now think that there should be a parking to leave a car you are right but parking is for clients only. Trail takes about an hour both ways … if you plan to take pictures add additional 30 minutes :) .. there is an option to go back with a bus or train but I do not think it’s worth it.

Time for Etang de Gruyere. In one word: marvelous. Reminds me of one place in Poland, Black Pond in Niepołomice Forest. There is a trail around a lake, easy but maybe marshy in some places so take proper shoes. Great place to stay a bit longer….