Bourgogne-Franche-Comté

Regional capital: Dijon

Departments: Côte-D’or, Nièvre, Saône-Et-Loire, Yonne, Doubs, Haute-Saône, Jura, Territoire De Belfort

Main Cities: Dijon, Chalon-Sur-Saône, Nevers, Besançon, Montbéliard, Belfort

The merger of Bourgogne and Franche-Comté officially reunited the two halves of the historic Kingdom of Burgundy after they were split in two in the 15th Century. So keen were the two regions to reunite that, before the entire map of France was redrawn in 2014, they had come up with their own plan for voluntary unification.

Famous for its wine, array of cheeses, canals and mountains, this part of eastern France, which has a border with Switzerland, is popular among affluent Parisiens as somewhere to buy a second home.

Despite this, and away from major centers such as Dijon, property prices remain reasonable – this is perhaps because it is still relatively undiscovered among English-speaking expatriates. 

The historic center of the new region’s capital, the ducal city of Dijon, was declared a Unesco World Heritage site in July 2015, and its annual Autumn International and Gastronomic Fair is one of the most popular in the country. It’s also home to the Maille mustard brand. The region is known for diverse landscapes, from the vineyards of Burgundy to the Jura Mountains.

Property prices

Median prices per m2 for non-newbuild apartments in the third quarter of 2025: Dijon €2,610 +1.5%, Besançon €2,180 +7.7%

Median prices per m2 for non-newbuild houses in the third quarter of 2025: Dijon €275,000 +5.9%, Besançon n/a

(figures taken from the most recently available French property report (Jan 26) from the Notaires de France, % year-on-year change: July 1, 2025 to September 30, 2025 / July 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024)

Character of the region

The region is the sixth largest in France, with Besançon as the regional capital. It is known for diverse landscapes, from the vineyards of Burgundy to the Jura Mountains, and rich cultural heritage that encompasses historical and artistic attractions. 

A network of waterways spans the area, allowing gentle exploration of its landscapes via rivers and canals.

Population/density

2.8 million people across 47,783 sq km (Insee figures 2022 [latest available]) = 4.1% of the population

Fact: the region is known for being sparsely populated (58 inhabitants / sq km compared to the national average of 106 / sq km)

Weather

Cold winters (January average 5C) and warm summers (July average 21C). 

Local industries

Agriculture, engineering and manufacturing. The region is one of the leading car-making areas in France – PSA Peugeot Citroën in Sochaux has become the second-largest car manufacturer in Europe.

Cities and towns

Dijon is the former seat of the Dukes of Burgundy and is home to the ducal palace that encompasses the Musée des Beaux-Arts, while Besançon as the region's capital is a historic city known for its watchmaking tradition and citadel designed by Vauban. 

Food and drink

Wine (pinot noir, chardonnay, vin jaune), crème de Cassis, absinthe, cheese (Époisses, Délice de Bourgogne and Comté), Dijon mustard, beef Bourguignon, coq au vin, snails

Cultural points of interest

Bourgogne-Franche-Comté has a number of Unesco World Heritage sites, including the Cistercian Abbey of Fontenay, Vézelay, the citadel of Besançon, and the Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie et du Vin in Dijon. 

Major transport points

Airports: Dijon Bourgogne (DIJ)

Trains: Dijon-Ville, Besançon-Viotte, Belfort-Montbéliard TGV, Chalon-sur-Saône, and Nevers

Motorways: key routes include the A6 (also known as the "Autoroute du Soleil"), which links Paris to Lyon and runs through the region, the A31 which connects to the north and east, and the A36, which crosses the region from west to east. Other important motorways include the A39 and A77.