Oeno-Tonneaux - Clos du Grand Bois

Le Clos du Grand Bois, Burgundy, offers quirky glamping accommodation on its extensive vineyard and cattle farm near the village of Lugny, also known as the little capital of the upper Macon area (the town of Macon itself, the real capital, is 20km away). The ‘rooms’ are in the form of wine bottle inspired cabins that can sleep up to four people, cosily, but surprisingly comfortably.

THE ACCOMMODATION:

They have five ‘barrels’ in total, all of them identical, beside the main farmhouse. As mentioned they can sleep up to four, on one double bed and two singles, and though the beds are very comfortable early risers may want to take any indulgent morning leg stretching routines to the little terrace outside.

There are communal bathrooms and showers etc. at the farmhouse, all of them clean and modern plus there are communal spaces there too, a lounge area with a pool table and table football, and the dining room where you will be treated to a fine breakfast every morning in the company of the other guests.

The atmosphere here is friendly and warm, mainly thanks to the hosts enthusiasm for their guests and for their wine making craft. Educational vineyard and cellar tours are offered along with wine tasting.

The owners, the Lafarge family, are one of the oldest families in the area and have been producing Burgundy wines since the 17th century, so they know a great deal about wine, and about the history of wine in this, one of the world’s premier wine producing regions.

Their wines you of course are welcome to sample, and to buy, at any time, and you can also arrange full home cooked meals to accompany them at the farmhouse alongside the other guests, just try and give the hosts at least a days notice if you’d like to join. The cooking is traditional Burgundy fare using quality local ingredients as much as possible.

You can wander around the farm and vineyards yourself too and take in the peace and quiet, or head off into the nearby little village of Lughy or the ancient woodlands that surround.

THE LOCATION:

Lugny is but a small village of around 300 inhabitants these days but has some history with two 14th century round towers to be admired. It is also just 6km from the more famously historic village of Martailly-les-Brancion, an important regional centre for the Dukes of Burgundy and 12km from Cluny, home of Cluny Abbey, one of most important abbeys in France.

The countryside around here is gorgeous, rolling green hills of farmland and of course vineyards. Burgundy wines are world famous and visits to, and tours of, some of the many other wine producing estates can be arranged from Le Clos du Grand Bois.

The city of Dijon is about around an hour to the north with Lyon being a little less, to the south. Paris can be reached in a little less than 3 and a half hours while Geneva, Switzerland, is about an hour and a half away.

WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY:

“The place is a hidden gem. The owners are very friendly and helpful. I got to learn a lot from the region and from the wines. The breakfast was amazing including the home made jams, yoghurt…The more than 200 years old house is gorgeous and clean. One of my favourite place I ever stayed….”

“If you are in any doubt, just go, you’ll love it! Wonderfully eccentric, peacefully bucolic, just blissful, GO!!!”

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