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A hearty meal (or five) has always been synonymous with this time of the year, and for good reason; one that goes much deeper than that bowl of eggnog.

Food brings people together. And when enjoyed in the company of loved ones, every bite bursts with even more joy and satisfaction. As the table fills with plates and laughter, your favorite entrée becomes a highlight, the sweetness of the dessert, a memory, and a glass of wine a toast to togetherness.

This is what France by Travelive’s Country Leader Orianne Suisse is eager to share with a beloved holiday menu that celebrates the season and offers a delicious glimpse into her family’s home region of Burgundy. Because home is where the heart is, and good food is the way to it.

“The following menu is very special to me. It’s a souvenir from the holidays spent with my grandparents, filled with memories of love, laughter, and family traditions. And I’m beyond happy to share it with you.  

My family’s traditional Burgundy holiday menu is a feast that’s both authentic and full of heart. And I hope that it inspires you and your clients to experience the magic of French holidays, just as it has inspired me throughout my childhood.” France by Travelive’s Country Leader Orianne Suisse

My Family’s Burgundy Holiday Menu

Gougères with Smoked Salmon & Foie Gras
Paired with Crémant de Bourgogne

We always begin with gougères, Burgundy’s iconic savory cheese puffs. Warm, golden, and impossible to resist, they’re the kind of bite that brings everyone together in the kitchen before the table is even set. Filled with smoked salmon and foie gras, they feel festive without being fussy. A glass of Crémant de Bourgogne in hand, and this is when the holidays truly begin.

Fresh Oysters
Paired with Chablis

Next come fresh oysters, served simply and enjoyed slowly. It’s a quiet moment at the table, one where everyone simply savors the crisp flavors. Together with a chilled Chablis, it’s a classic French pairing that feels both festive, refined, and timeless.

Bouchée à la Reine with Sweetbreads (Ris de Veau) & Mesclun Salad
Paired with Meursault

This is the dish that feels most like home. The bouchée à la reine, filled with tender sweetbreads in a creamy sauce, is rich and comforting, the kind of recipe that has been perfected over generations. Served with a light mesclun salad and a glass of Meursault, it’s the centerpiece of the holiday table and is always the most anticipated.

Apple & Lemon Sorbet (Trou Bourguignon)

Served as a modern take on the “trou bourguignon,” a refreshing apple and lemon sorbet is always welcome at a holiday table. Light and palate-cleansing, it gives everyone a moment to breathe, to laugh, and make room for what’s still to come.

Cheese Platter & Clementines

No Burgundy table would be complete without cheese. A generous platter showcases regional favorites, enjoyed slowly and accompanied by fresh clementines, whose brightness cuts through the richness and sparks some festive chatter.

Some of Orianne’s favorites include: The Chaource, the Epoisse (a milder choice), and the Soumatrain.

Classic Bûche de Noël
Paired with Crémant Rosé

The celebration ends with a classic bûche de Noël, beautifully crafted and rich with chocolate and cream. Served with Crémant Rosé, it is both nostalgic and joyful, the kind of dessert that signals the end of the meal but never the night, as conversations linger long after the last bite.

A Taste of Burgundy

In Burgundy, the holidays are not about extravagance, but about time spent together, recipes passed down, and meals that are good for the soul. This is a region where food is inseparable from family, landscape, and memory, and where every dish tells a story of place and belonging.

For travelers, experiencing Burgundy through its gastronomy is an invitation to get to know France the way Orianne’s family does; regardless of the season. Because at France by Travelive, we believe there is no better way to discover a destination than by sharing in the flavors that its people hold closest to their hearts.

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In a country known for its bold flair and grand gestures, Burgundy is its most contemplative expression. An unhurried masterpiece of wine-soaked hills, gastronomic tradition, and quiet, countryside elegance, Burgundy doesn’t flaunt its luxury, it reveals it slowly. So, fill that glass, relax, and let it show you France at its most soulful, sensory, and serene.

A Glass Half-Full

Of course, we could just play the wine card here, but Burgundy is so much more than that. A classy gem in the crown of France’s regions, Burgundy (Bourgogne) is where timeless sophistication meets countryside charm. Beyond its world-class wines and Michelin-starred cuisine, it seduces travelers with a rhythm of life that invites you to slow down and savor a richness that transcends the material. This is France for those who value depth over dazzle and authenticity over exhibition.

An Off-Season Feast

Burgundy is where fall travel takes on a whole new character. In September and October, as summer crowds disperse and the sun softens its gaze, Burgundy begins to bloom in an entirely new light. Here’s why Burgundy is the perfect shoulder season escape.

• Harvest Magic (Vendanges) — In Burgundy, the September grape harvest season hums a particularly alluring tune. Vineyards buzz with tradition, and guests can witness or even join the ancient rhythm of the vineyards themselves.
• A Canvas of Color — The landscape turns into an impressionist painting worthy of the Louvre. With rolling hills cloaked in red, gold, and amber, every sight is a stroke of wonder.
• Perfect Weather —Whether embarking on walking tours, cycling between medieval villages, or even soaring above vineyards on hot-air balloons, crisp mornings and sunlit afternoons make everything even more magical.
• Space to Breathe — With fewer visitors than during peak summer months, this season lets Burgundy divulge intimate secrets that it may have otherwise been too shy to reveal.

Where Curated Experiences Become Something More

In Burgundy, luxury isn’t announced, it’s revealed in the stillness of a candlelit cellar, the crunch of gravel beneath your wheels, or that first sip of a vintage poured just for you. Here, every experience is an invitation into the soul of a region that saves its finest expressions for those who take the time to listen.

Private Tastings at Grand Cru Estates

Unlock the wrought-iron gates of some of Burgundy’s most revered domaines and uncover their prized treasures. Step in hushed cellars lined with aged bottles and oak barrels, and taste Grand Cru vintages in the company of the winemakers themselves. It’s an experience few are granted, but one cherished by all.

E-Bike Through the Vines

Soak in the countryside as you glide past golden vineyards and sleepy stone villages on a private e-bike route tailored to your pace. Stop for a picnic among the vines, where local cheeses, crusty baguettes, and a perfectly chilled Chablis make for simplest of luxuries.

Sunrise Hot-Air Balloon Over the Côte de Beaune

At dawn, as the countryside glows with dew and golden mist, watch Burgundy awaken from above in a glorious patchwork of vineyard rows, tiled château roofs, and winding country lanes. Beyond the distant songs of birds below, quiet awe is the only sound that will fill the air.

A Wine Lunch to Remember

Settle into the private dining room of a historic domaine, where each course is paired with wines grown just beyond the window. Here, the sommelier doesn’t lecture, they share. And the chef doesn’t show off, they honor. And you, the guest, in turn become a part of something truly rare: Burgundy as it is meant to be savored.

Havens Within a Haven

In a perfect place, even a humble abode can feel like a private discovery. And here are some that perfectly complement Burgundy’s quiet sense of wonder.

Hôtel Le Cep – Timeless Charm in the Heart of Beaune

Set within a cluster of 16th-century mansions in Beaune’s historic center, Hôtel Le Cep is a sanctuary of classic Burgundy charm. Antique furnishings, vine-draped courtyards, and timbered ceilings offer a sense of lived-in elegance, while Spa Marie de Bourgogne invites guests into deep wellness with vinotherapy and holistic rituals. Just steps from the famed Hospices de Beaune, this is a stay where history, hospitality, and heritage blend into one seamless, soothing experience.

Hostellerie de Levernois – A Michelin-Starred Hideaway in Nature

Hidden in a tranquil park just outside Beaune, this Relais & Châteaux retreat pairs countryside serenity with culinary prestige. Elegant rooms open onto manicured gardens, and the Michelin-starred restaurant celebrates Burgundy’s seasonal bounty. Guests can explore by bike, sip wine on the terrace, or unwind to the sounds of the Bouzaise river. This is discreet luxury designed for those who savor nature, flavor, and the art of slow travel.

Easy Extensions – Refinement Beyond the Vines

Burgundy’s central location makes it the perfect starting point, or graceful pause, within a broader French or European journey. Whether you’re seeking contrast, continuity, or a touch more indulgence, these nearby destinations are effortlessly within reach:

• Paris – Just a high-speed train or scenic drive away, the City of Light offers cosmopolitan flair after Burgundy’s quietude.
• Champagne – A toast to effervescence, just a short drive north. Ideal for those who like their terroir sparkling.
• Provence – Sun-drenched landscapes, lavender fields, and Mediterranean rhythm await via high-speed train.
• Loire Valley – Hop in a car to enter a land of fairytale châteaux and riverbank vineyards.
• Switzerland – Reach Geneva, Lausanne, or Zurich by train or plane for alpine beauty and refined calm.

A Whisper Worth Hearing

Burgundy doesn’t call attention to itself; it waits to be noticed. Through the hush of golden vineyards, the complexity of a Grand Cru, and the art of slowing down, this is where the heart of France carries a beat that transcends established rhythms. And with Travelive, your clients are guaranteed to hear it at its most harmonious and refined. So, let Burgundy speak up and introduce you to its charms.

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