Lunch at La Table de Léonce, at the château: my test
My verdict: this is the only GetYourGuide product that lets you pass through the gate, visit the château with a guide, and have lunch within its walls. Three hours, a maximum of ten people, four courses, and four Burgundy wines including two premier crus. It’s too new to have published reviews: I state this clearly, and I explain what can be verified before booking.
A new product: what this means
No rating, no reviews. On other pages of this site, I rely on what travelers write; here I have nothing to quote and I won’t fabricate testimonials. What I can do is tell you what is clearly stated, what I know about the place from having worked there, and where you are taking a risk. The risk with a new product lies in the fine-tuning: the sequence of the tour and the meal, managing mixed groups, punctuality. The rest — the setting, the food, the cellar — does not depend on how long the listing has been active.
The schedule, hour by hour
Two departure times, which reverse the order of the two halves.
- 11 h 15, English-speaking option. Welcome at the château, guided tour in English, then lunch. You’ll see the courtyard, the winery, and the Grand Cellar on an empty stomach, which is not a bad thing for listening.
- 11 h 45, French-speaking option. Lunch first, then a guided tour in French. The advantage: you visit when the midday tour groups have left.
- The aperitif. Gougères and crémant de Bourgogne. The gougère is the small cheese puff served everywhere in Côte-d’Or before tasting a red wine: it’s there for that reason.
- The meal. Four courses of Burgundy cuisine, announced as «100 % Côte-d’Or».
- The wines. Four Burgundy wines, including two premier crus, selected by the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, which has occupied the château since 1944. The sommelier comments on the wines and the Climats of the Burgundy vineyard, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site; the association managing them has been based here since 2015.
- The tour. Approximately one hour: courtyard, winery with its four capstan presses, vaulted Grand Cellar, dormitory of the lay brothers with its 14th-century framework, kitchens, and Renaissance wing added in 1551.
Generally included
- The guided tour of the château, in French or English
- The aperitif: gougères and crémant de Bourgogne
- A lunch with four courses of Côte-d’Or cuisine
- Four Burgundy wines, including two premier crus
- The sommelier’s comments on the wines and the Climats
- Entry into the château
Not included
- Transport to Vougeot
- Bottles purchased at the shop
- Tips
- Any service outside the three hours
What works
- The only product that includes entry to the château
- A maximum of ten people, and a sommelier who provides commentary
- French or English, your choice depending on the time slot
- Two premier crus among the four wines
- The restaurant is wheelchair accessible
- Free cancellation up to 24 h before
Good to know
- No reviews published: you book without prior feedback
- Reserved for ages 18 and over, so excluded if traveling with family
- Three hours on-site, no transport: you must reach Vougeot on your own
- Closed on Mondays from April to October, and on Mondays and Tuesdays from November to March
- The château itself remains difficult to access: stairs, old floors, no elevator
When it’s open
Tuesday to Sunday from April to October, Wednesday to Sunday from November to March. The château itself is open every day except December 24, 25, and 31, and January 1; detailed seasonal opening hours are on opening hours and tickets. Note that Fridays and Saturdays are often reception days at the château, and some rooms may be closed on those days.
Who it’s for, and who it’s not for
For you if you’re drawn here as much by the walls as by the wines: the 12th-century Grand Cellar could hold two thousand barrels of wine, and the four presses in the winery each pressed four tons of grapes. You see them, then you eat right next door. It’s also the right choice if you only have half a day and want it to count, or if walking through the vineyards isn’t your thing.
Not for you if you’re traveling with family — the age limit is strict, and I’ve listed child-friendly options on accessibility and children —, if you want to explore the Côte, or if you don’t have a car and the TER schedule doesn’t align. Vougeot-Gilly-lès-Cîteaux station is one kilometer from the château, a 15-minute walk: see how to get there before booking an 11 h 15 slot.
Book the 11 h 45 slot if you want the tour in French, the 11 h 15 slot for English: the language is tied to the time, not the day’s choice.
Other options
Editor's choiceFrom Beaune: day in Burgundy with 14 tastings
ShortestCôte de Nuits: guided walk through the vineyards (2 h 30)
PrivateBurgundy vineyards: private day tour with driver-guide
Frequently asked questions
Why are there no reviews?
Because the product has just been listed. No ratings, no comments published, and I’m not going to make any up. If you want a tried-and-tested option, the day with fourteen tastings has 311 reviews.
Does the lunch include entry to the château?
Yes, and that’s what sets it apart: a guided tour of the château is included, in French or English depending on the booked time. All other tours stop at the gate; details are on the château tour.
Can you go with children?
No: the option is reserved for ages 18 and over. The château itself can be visited at any age with a self-guided tour, including a leaflet and a film; see accessibility and children.