Burgundy Cycling
A day of healthy activity in beautiful surroundings followed by an excellent meal, accompanied by the finest wines at a traditional hotel is as close to perfection as one can get. Burgundy provides all the elements to make this dream a reality. Here living is an art form, honed to perfection over the centuries. Burgundy is synonymous with fine wines, the highest standards in cuisine, and a harmonious landscape of gentle hills and green valleys. From the vineyards of the Cote D'or to the lakes and forests of the Morvan, this is a region to savour and enjoy. The itinerary reads like a wine list, but really represents quiet lanes, hamlets, regal chateaux, splendid churches and basilicas and as much historical interest as one can absorb in a week.
Day 1: Arrive at Savigny les Beaune.
Day 2: A gentle day on peaceful country lanes and through vineyards, before cycling along The Burgundy Canal to Chateauneuf, a picturesque old fortified market town (35km).
Day 3: We retrace our steps toward our comfortable hotel in mediaeval Semur along the banks of the Burgundy canal, enjoy the views from Croix St. Thomas and explore the shady tree - lined avenues of the feudal town of Mont St. Jean (55km).
Day 4: Cross the Auxois Plateau to Montreal. This medieval township is amongst the most typical of Burgundy. Then onto Avallon and the magnificent Vezelay which is worth the whole journey in itself Vezelay's grand Basilica was founded in 878 and the second crusade set out from here in 1146 (53km).
Day 5: Follow the Cure Valley to Lormes and on through the splendid wild scenery of the Morvan to Lac Des Settons. This is a quiet remote area distinguished by its vast forests of beech and oak and its mountain lakes and torrential streams (52km).
Day 6: Along quiet roads through beautiful countryside via the Signal du Bard to Arnay Le Duc. This was once an important stage coach halt where Louis XV1s aunts were arrested as they were fleeing to Italy during the French revolution (43km).
Day 7: We return to the famous vineyard again, visiting the Chateau de Rochepot, and wending our way back to Savigny through Pommard, Volnay and Puligny Montrachet to name but a few (55km).
Day 8: Depart after breakfast.
Self Guided Inn to Inn 8 days
CODE: SDB
GRADE:
CYCLE HIRE: FFR420
21 speed hybrids and tourers equipped with a tool kit, spare tyre, pump and lock. Bicycle helmets are available for hire locally at a cost of 140FF per helmet.
TERRAIN: Mainly flat with some hills.
ACCOMMODATION & MEALS: Mainly in 2 and 3 star hotels. One night at a simple chambre d'hote.
JOINING POINT: Savigny reached by train from Paris or Lyon in 2 hours.
END OF TOUR: Savigny after breakfast on day 8, a taxi is provided to Beaune railway station. Train to Dijon to connect with the train to Paris.
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