Burgundy’s Route du Cassis: a 55km journey of blackcurrants and culture

Burgundy’s Route du Cassis - a 55km gourmet and cultural trail celebrating the region’s iconic blackcurrant - continues to draw visitors in the run up to its one-year anniversary since opening.

Officially inaugurated on May 12, 2025 by the Conseil départemental de la Côte d’Or and Côte d’Or Attractivité, the trail stretches from Dijon to Nuits-Saint-Georges, winding through picturesque villages such as Fixin, Curley and Marey-lès-Fussey. Along the way, visitors encounter cassis in every form: liqueurs, jams, mustards, cosmetics and wellness products.

Marie Claire Bonnet-Vallet, president of Côte-d’Or Attractivité, explained that the route “brings together producers, liquor-makers and processors under a single banner” to tell the story of the blackcurrant. 

François Sauvadet, president of the Côte-d’Or Department, added that it celebrates “a typical product loved by both residents and visitors… carried by a lively and creative industry.”

This season, visitors can also explore the exhibition, Cassis & Cassissiers - la collection Jean Bernard, at the Archives départementales in Dijon. 

Running until the end of April, the exhibition traces the history and cultural significance of cassis in Burgundy. The show was first announced during the route’s inauguration, with the cassissiers of Dijon - key members of the route’s steering committee - playing a central role in shaping the collection.

From spring through to autumn, Ferme Fruirouge is hosting 'Field Game' - a cassis-themed escape game through orchards and fields where guests can uncover the secrets and ingredients behind the farm's produce. 

Isabelle Olivier, who runs the farm, said the activities highlight that cassis is “not just for crème de cassis” but also offers wellness benefits, from skincare to immune support. Guided tours allow visitors to see the harvest in action and taste the full range of products, from jams and liqueurs to mustards and beauty items.

Other highlights along the route include Le Cassissium in Nuits-Saint-Georges and historic crème de cassis houses such as Maison Lejay-Lagoute in Dijon. 

The trail is integrated into the Balades en Bourgogne app, offering audio narratives on the history of cassis, its uses and the people who cultivate it.

With over 500 hectares of cassis under cultivation in the Côte d’Or and two Protected Geographical Indications for crème de cassis, the Route du Cassis offers visitors a blend of culture, gastronomy, and fun, making it a must-visit destination for locals and tourists alike.