Antiques, Wine and Traditional Baking - Easter Escapism in Burgundy

Online, March 16, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Falling on the first weekend of April, Easter provides the perfect opportunity for a bank holiday getaway. Accessible by car, plane or train, Burgundy's Beaune is an idyllic short-break destination. Here you can swap the overpriced chocolate eggs of the UK for the annual Beaune Antique Fair followed by an 'open-cellar' in neighbouring wine commune Monthelie where wine tastings are soaked up by pizza fresh from the wood stove...

Su Bishop, proprietor of Location Burgundy, luxury self-catering specialists in the Côte d'Or winemaking region, comments, "The Beaune Antique Fair in the central market hall officially kicks off 'brocante' season. Running from Saturday 3rd April through to Easter Monday dealers from all over France peddle their wares of furniture, linen, postcards, toys, tools and books to a bargain-hungry audience. As spring unfolds each village hosts brocantes, puces (flea markets) and vide greniers (literally 'empty your loft' - or car boot to us) often with a wine tasting twist. This is laid-back French country living at its best."

Lying a ten minute drive southwest of Beaune, Monthelie is the smallest of the Côte d'Or villages with only 200 inhabitants yet is surrounded by 121 hectares of vines. Le Printemps de Monthelie is the highlight of its social calendar and across Saturday and Easter Sunday local vignerons throw open the doors of their cellars to host enthusiasts of Burgundy wine. Craftsmen, painters and musicians bring colour and sound to the vaulted rooms whilst the village's two wood ovens bake bread, pastries and pizzas in the style of yesteryear. A delightful way to spend an afternoon.

A none-too-arduous five-hour drive south-east from Calais, Beaune is an ideal short-break option. If the car doesn't appeal, 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.

Location Burgundy has plenty of self-catering accommodation in the thick of the Easter action. Prices for a two bedroom apartment in a converted 18th century wine-maker's house at the heart of Pommard (3km from Beaune) start from 450 euros for three nights based on four people sharing in low season (1 October - 31 May). Prices for a one bedroom apartment in a converted 19th century home in Cissey (5km from Beaune) start from 270 euros for three nights based on two people sharing in low season. The four Cissey apartments share a communal heated swimming pool.

All Location Burgundy rental properties are equipped with UK and French satellite television, DVD/cd player, heating, washing machine, microwave, dishwasher, free Wi-Fi and a welcome pack of groceries to include basics such as milk, coffee, fruit juice and cereal. Every day essentials from hand soap to bed linen and towels are provided.

Contact Location Burgundy on [email protected], website www.locationburgundy.com or telephone 00 33 (0) 9 62 12 77 11.

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