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The heart of one of the richest areas in France hides a myriad of quiet country lanes and pleasant cycle tracks that weave their way through vineyards and rolling hills. A great area for discovery, relaxation and laid back cycling… Beginning in Beaune, and depending on your trip duration, we discover the best portions of the Canal du Centre (which connects the Saone to the Loire), the prestigious vineyards of the Nuits-Saint-Georges (Vosne Romanée, Vougeot, Gevrey Chambertin, Chambolle Musigny…), and the “Voie des Vignes” that leads to Santenay (the home of great wines such as Pommard, Volnay, Meursault, Chassagne Montrachet). Our Burgundy tours offer a strong gastronomical theme with numerous opportunities to visit vineyards and wine cellars, as well as selected restaurants.
Itinerary start: France Bike Trips services begin on day 1 at 9am at the luggage or bike drop-off point in Dijon (the exact address will be indicated in your travel documents).
On request we can book the previous night's accomodation for you in Dijon.
Rendezvous in Dijon, start and end point of this Burgundy bicycle tour. Today's route is a full day of riding, but the last day of the tour is much shorter, offering plenty of time to discover the capital of Burgundy. Our route leaves town and heads south in the direction of some very prestigious vineyards! We ride through the heart of vineyards that make wines regarded by many as priceless, discovering two major players in the world of wine: Vougeot and Vosne Romanée. Particularly in Burgundy, the exceptional quality of the wine is due to a whole array of different factors. First of all tradition, as in Burgundy, unlike Bordeaux, the mixing of different wines is forbidden. But also the soil type, location and exposure to sunlight. It is also worth noting the passion of the wine growers and producers who have retained a remarkable humility and respect for the wine growing process, despite the prestige and fame surrounding their work. All of these characteristics, grouped under the name of "climats", contribute to a proposition to become a Unesco world heritage site. Tonight's accommodation is a comfortable 3* hotel in one of the most beautiful towns in Burgundy, Beaune. The local gastronomy and the many great restaurants offer a perfect opportunity to sample the culinary delights of the region.
After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, the day's stage is voluntarily short, leaving plenty of time to discover the town of Beaune. Below ground the town of Beaune is a veritable Gruyere! The town's historical cellars, dating back several centuries, as well as those of the many private mansions, stretch for dozens of kilometres under the streets and alleys. We take the time to admire the many beautiful multi-coloured polychrome terracotta roofs, characteristic of traditional Burgundy architecture. We then head off on the bikes once again, continuing south, through the extension of the Côte d'Or (which gave its name to the department). As soon as we leave Beaune we start crossing a succession of "grand cru" vineyards and classified villages: Pommard, Volnay, Meursault, Puligny Montrachet, Chassagne Montrachet, then Santenay. In the same manner as the previous day, we link the villages on a network of small, quite roads that weave their way between the vineyards. The Côte d'Or ends here, and we drop down into the valley, to Santeney. We then join the banks of the Canal du Centre, which we follow all the way to Chagny. The canal connects the Mediterranean to the Atlantic… via the Saone and Loire rivers. We change department now, passing from the Saone to the Loire. The south offers a different Burgundy, more orientated towards agriculture and cattle breeding that towards vineyards. However, we still discover some prestigious vineyards, such as Mercurey or Chagny, which we reach before stopping for our second night in Burgundy.
Today route takes us on a discovery of the Burgundy countryside. After two days riding through vineyards, past prestigious châteaux and "domaines", we head into a more discrete, but no less charming part of Burgundy. Our route leaves us little time to get bored! On a superb network of back roads that wind their way between the vineyards, then between the fields and pastures, we set our course due west to the valley of the Dheune, tributary of the Saone. We descend the Dheune, crossing numerous pretty villages, with the beautiful Burgundy countryside as a backdrop. Our route circumnavigates the Côte de Beaune limestone ridge (southern half of the Côte d'Or), leaving the vineyards behind us and replacing them with limestone cliffs, forests and farmland. We approach Nolay, our overnight stop. The town has a rich medieval past, highlighted by its 14th century covered market with an intricate timber framed roof, covered with limestone flagstones. Situated at a strategic crossroads, Nolay was an important commercial town. Its former wealth is still visible today through its elaborate architecture: vaulted stone cellars and overhanging timber framed upper floors. We take the time to visit the birthplace of Lazare Carnot (prominent figure during the French Revolution), as well as the 15th century church, rebuilt during the 17th century.
Depending on the option chosen, today's stage is a more or less short one, but with several climbs that will soon reduce our average speed! But remember, this trip isn’t a race (on the contrary), and we take plenty of time to enjoy the sights along the way. We head due north to join the River Ouche, a typical Burgundy river that meanders gently through the countryside. After a further visit of Nolay (Saint Pierre quarter, museum of paleontology, town hall), our route leads us towards the cliffs of Saint Romain. The village of Saint Romain is surrounded by limestone cliffs, and our route offers us a bird's eye view of the village from the top! The scenery gradually changes during the course of our ride, mixing wooded sections and open fields. We turn and head north, along the west side of the Côte d'Or, before reaching the source of the River Ouche, near Lusigny sur Ouche. A hundred kilometres in length, the Ouche drops down the western slopes of the Côte de Nuits, ending in the Kir Lake, on the outskirts of Dijon. We follow the river for a short time, before heading to Bligny, and our charming guest house for the night.
In contrast to yesterday, today's stage is a little longer, but with plenty of descending... Our route sees us descend the Ouche Valley, a favourite destination for the residents of the Dijon area. We pass through several delightful small villages dotted along this charming valley. Thorey, La Bussière, Saint Victor, Barbirey, Gissey, Sainte Marie, Fleurey and Velars, each village has its particular charms. 200 metres of altitude loss separate the source of the Ouche from the Kir Lake, allowing us to coast gently along, with a few pedal strokes from time to time. Night in a hotel or guest house in Pont de Pany or close by.
We are now only a few kilometres away from the capital of the Dukes of Burgundy. Today’s stage offers a well-earned breather after a full week of riding, as well as plenty of time to visit the many interesting natural and architectural sites of the city of Dijon. In no particular order: the gardens of the town centre (Arquebuse, Colombière Park, the gardens of Darcy), Lake Kir, the cathedrals of Sainte Bégnine, Notre Dame, Saint Etienne, Saint Philibert. A wide variety of different styles, from gothic through to renaissance. The Palais des Ducs and public square, the tombs… and for those who appreciate fine cuisine, the opportunity to indulge in some local gastronomy. A small city just waiting to be discovered, on or off the bike.
Distances and altitude gain are an indication only and may vary.
Itinerary end: France Bike Trips services end at around 4pm on day 6 in Dijon, at luggage or bike drop-off point (the exact address will be indicated in your travel documents).
On request we can book the following night's accomodation for you in Dijon.
