Monthelie – Winegrowing and Heritage

Monthelie lies on the Route des Grands Crus through the Burgundy wine region, between Volnay and Meursault. When planning a hotel stay, three distinct themes take center stage: protected buildings, the historical connection to Cluny, and winegrowing. There is also a wine tasting by prior appointment and a hiking trail that passes through Monthelie and two other villages. You can plan your trip around whether you want to explore architectural history, arrange a tasting, or set aside time for a longer hike.

Church, château, and the history of Cluny

The Romanesque Church of Saint-Germain-d'Auxerre is a Cluniac site. Its main construction phases date from the 12th and 14th centuries; it has been classified as a Monument historique since October 31, 1991. The church thus brings together architectural history and protected status: its construction phases span several centuries, while its classification came later.

Monthelie Château also reflects different construction phases: one from the 16th century and another from the third quarter of the 18th century, including a construction phase in 1746. It is partially listed as a Monument historique. The protected areas include the façades and roofs of the 18th-century château, the 16th-century building, the eastern outbuildings, and a square tower with a spiral staircase. If you plan to visit the château, check access in advance.

The connection to Cluny concerns more than just the church. Monthelie and its wine-growing area were under the authority of Cluny Abbey from the 10th to the 15th century. Since November 21, 2007, Monthelie has also been part of the European network of Cluniac sites. The town's medieval history and its later inclusion in a European network can therefore be considered distinct historical points of reference.

Winegrowing and tastings

The Monthelie appellation covers just over 127 hectares of production area and includes 15 Climats classified as Premier Cru. On a different scale, Domaine Eric de Suremain is a family-run estate in Monthelie that farms around 10 hectares of vineyards in the Monthelie, Monthelie Premier Cru, and Rully Premier Cru appellations. The figures therefore refer, respectively, to the appellation area and to the vineyards farmed by the estate.

Domaine Eric de Suremain offers on-site wine tastings by prior appointment for groups of 1 to 15 people. If you would like to plan a tasting, book your appointment in advance. At the Printemps de Monthelie in April, visitors can meet winemakers and taste vintages in cellars and wineries. Check the specific event dates and participation requirements before your trip.

Hiking and trip planning

The 13-kilometer Sentier des Buis is marked in yellow and passes through Monthelie, Meursault, and Auxey-Duresses. The stated distance helps you set aside time for the hike during your stay; check the trail markings locally. The route links three place names, while wine tastings and historic buildings each involve their own planning considerations.

When deciding what to plan first, the key consideration is whether your stay depends on a specific date: a wine tasting must be arranged in advance, and your dates should match the specific event days for the Printemps. If you want to hike, take the distance into account and check the trail markings locally. Decide on the purpose of your trip and any necessary dates before tailoring your hotel and accommodation search to Monthelie.

Discover more destinations: Rochefort-sur-Brévon, Essey, Fontaine-Française, Baubigny, Créancey, Aisy-sous-Thil, Arcenant, Boncourt-le-Bois.

For the broader travel overview: Cote-Dor.