Savigny-lès-Beaune
A true wine village in the Rhoin valley, known for the sayings carved on its houses.
- Wine village
- 10 min from Beaune
- Red and white wines
- 22 premiers crus
€290for a half-day wine tour from Beaune, up to 4 guests
At a glance
- Appellations
- Savigny-lès-Beaune
- Grapes
- Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc
Getting there
Private driver from Beaune: 10 min by road (6 km), €60 one way for the whole car.
Coming by train or plane? Transfers from stations and airports →
About Savigny-lès-Beaune
Savigny-lès-Beaune spreads along the little Rhoin river, where the valley opens out between the hill of Corton and Beaune. Its vineyard covers nearly 350 hectares and makes mostly red wine. A pleasant square, a church with a Romanesque bell tower and old carved inscriptions reward an unhurried stroll.
The wines
Savigny-lès-Beaune has 22 premier cru climats on two facing slopes, between 250 and 400 metres. On the side towards Pernand-Vergelesses, south-facing vines grow on gravelly soils with iron-rich oolite. Across the valley the slope faces east, on limestone with sandy touches. Most wine is red Pinot Noir: deep cherry colour, blackcurrant, cherry and violet, with discreet tannins and good roundness. Whites, from Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc, are floral and often buttery, with citrus notes.
History
Savigny is an old place. Gallo-Roman tombs and coins have been found at the hamlet of Chenôve, and the name Savinacum appears in 936. For centuries its vineyards belonged to the Dukes of Burgundy, to nearby abbeys and to the Knights of Malta. A large château was built here in the 14th century. The village officially took the name Savigny-lès-Beaune, meaning Savigny near Beaune, in 1863.
Savigny has more carved inscriptions on its houses than any other commune in the area. Some are signed, others anonymous, and several are in Latin. They praise work, patience and, of course, wine. One lists good reasons to drink: the arrival of a guest, present thirst, future thirst and the quality of the wine. The church of Saint-Cassien, with its classified Romanesque bell tower, stands at the heart of the village.
Well-known premiers crusLes Lavières · Aux Serpentières · Les Marconnets · La Dominode · Les Vergelesses · Les Narbantons
What to see
Église Saint-Cassien
The village church stands at the centre of Savigny. Its Romanesque bell tower is a classified historic monument and one of the finest sights of the village.
The carved inscriptions
Walk the lanes and look above doors and along walls for carved sayings, some in Latin. They range from praise of wine to advice on hard work and patience.
Rhoin valley walks
Signposted paths follow the green Rhoin valley. The Chemin des Bois suits families, while the Chemin des Vignes crosses the vineyards with open views of the slopes.
Tips for your visit
Spend an hour or so, longer if you walk in the valley. Savigny combines well with Pernand-Vergelesses and Chorey-lès-Beaune, and its village square is a pleasant stop for a coffee or an aperitif.
Around here
What to combine with Savigny-lès-Beaune on the same day, nearest first.
Guides about Savigny-lès-Beaune
Questions
Savigny-lès-Beaune is about 10 min from Beaune by road (6 km). With a private driver, the trip from Beaune starts at €60 for the whole car, up to 4 guests.
Did you know? Savigny's most famous inscription says its wines are nourishing, theological and morbifuge. The last word, rarely heard today, means that they keep illness away.
Sources
Savigny-lès-Beaune with a private driver
Half-day wine tour from Beaune: €290 for the car, up to 4 guests