May 8, 9 and 10, 2026 in Cote-d'Or: where to go, what to do over the long weekend

Three days off, one Burgundy departement where vineyards, abbeys and fortified towns sit side by side. May 8 2026 falls on a Friday, so the whole weekend is open to explore Cote-d'Or beyond Dijon. Good news for fans of living heritage: this is also when several networks and events relaunch their season. Here are four picks to slot into your programme, ordered to help fill your three days without rushing.

Friday 8 May: opening of the Semur-en-Auxois medieval festival

This is the headline of the weekend. The Semur-en-Auxois medieval festival, founded in 2000, takes over the historic centre of this fortified town from Friday 8 to Sunday 10 May. More than 30,000 visitors are expected over three days, in a setting of ramparts and turrets that fits the theme naturally.

The programme brings together 16 street music and theatre companies, a 60-stall medieval market, living encampments, falconry shows, combat reenactments and a fire show in the late evening. Entry is free; budget 5 euros for costume rental if you fancy joining in. A reliably family-friendly outing. See the festival page.

When to go?

Friday evening for the opening atmosphere and the fire show, Saturday for the medieval market at full tilt, Sunday for the craft demonstrations. Three different moods within the same festival.

Saturday 9 May: boarding at Bligny-sur-Ouche

For a quieter family activity, head to the Auxois. The Auxois Steam Train, run by volunteers of the Chemin de Fer de la Vallee de l'Ouche, restarts its season on 1 May 2026. Steam services run on Sundays and public holidays through 27 September, including the May 8 long weekend.

The train links Bligny-sur-Ouche to Pont-d'Ouche over 7 narrow-gauge kilometres, on a historic line built in 1830. Forty years of volunteer work have brought it back to life: it is one of the few tourist steam trains in Burgundy. Fares and times on traindelouche.fr. See the festival page.

All weekend: the Epiques Epoques network in spring mode

For those who prefer to dip into heritage as the mood strikes, Epiques Epoques is the right entry point. This network gathers around twenty exceptional sites and monuments across Cote-d'Or under a single thread: 2,000 years of history retold through the MuseoParc Alesia, Cistercian abbeys, medieval castles and ducal towns.

During the long weekend, network sites host historical entertainment, theatrical tours and reenactments. A new immersive experience is announced at MuseoParc Alesia for the 2026 season. Pricing and opening hours vary by site — check the programme before you set off. See the festival page.

The tip

Pairing the Semur-en-Auxois medieval festival (Saturday) with a visit to Alesia (Sunday) builds a coherent storyline: from a living medieval town to a site that tells the story of pre-Roman Gaul. The two are forty minutes apart by car.

Behind the scenes: the Chevaliers du Tastevin chapter

The Chevaliers du Tastevin chapter at the Chateau du Clos de Vougeot is not a festival you simply walk into. Held since 1934, this ceremony brings the brotherhood together for gala dinners, inductions and tastings of great Burgundy wines. 16 chapters are scheduled in 2026 at this 12th-century monument, a landmark of the Burgundy vineyard.

Access is by invitation only, reserved for members and their guests. Worth flagging for Burgundy enthusiasts: if the chance comes up, this is the most iconic event in local wine culture. The chateau itself is open to visitors year-round. See the festival page.

Sample three-day plan

• Friday 8 May: arrive in Semur-en-Auxois, opening of the medieval festival, fire show in the evening
• Saturday 9 May: medieval market in Semur-en-Auxois in the morning, Auxois steam train in the afternoon at Bligny-sur-Ouche
• Sunday 10 May: visit one Epiques Epoques site (Alesia, Fontenay abbey, Bussy-Rabutin castle)

To explore more local events, take a look at all the festivals in Cote-d'Or.