Like a fine aged wine, savour Burgundy slowly, with time for its subtleties to penetrate. Great art, gastronomic food, and a history fermented with religion and royalty are your first tastes. Sip again and find white cows dotting green pastures embraced by hedgerows, and villages where you are greeted with a wave and friendly calls of “Bonne Route!” Self-guided cycling is the ultimate way to discover Burgundy.
Location
Beaune
Beaune, France
Day 1+2
Châteauneuf-en-Auxois
Châteauneuf-en-Auxois, France
Day 3+4
Semur-en-Auxois
Semur-en-Auxois, France
Day 5+6
What’s Included in the Cost of Your Trip?
INCLUDED IN REGULAR TRIP
6 nights hotels
All breakfasts and 1 dinner
Luggage transfers
We require that you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene reasons
Comprehensive Tour Details with detailed pre-trip information
Detailed route instructions and map
Personal meet & greet with our local Area Manager
Area manager available on call throughout the tour
Access to Loyalty Program and other exclusive benefits
Specifics
TRIP DATES
Start any date between May 1 and October 31
Custom trips also available and can start any day. Call or email for details.
Custom trips also available and can start any day. Call or email for details.
TOTAL DAYS
7 days / 6 nights, with 5 days cycling
ARRIVE / DEPART
Beaune / Semur-en-Auxois
ACTIVITY LEVEL
48 km (30 miles) daily average
Extra km possible
TERRAIN
Some hills every day of moderate difficulty with one very challenging climb on Day 2
COST
Casual/B&B Accommodation: US $1,850
Single Supplement: US $470
Classic Accommodation: US $2,250
Single Supplement: US $570
Luxe Accommodation: US $2,750
Single Supplement: US $690
Bike Rentals
Hybrid Bikes: US$280
E-Bikes: US$480
E-bikes are generally available but are on an ‘on request basis ‘ and will be confirmed on receipt of your booking registration. E-bikes provided are the best rentals available in the region. Our regular fleet of hybrid and race bikes are fun to ride and light and fast, but if having an e-bike will make your trip, we’ll do our best to provide. E-bike rentals are non-refundable.
Please note: Final itinerary is subject to revision; any changes made are done so in an attempt to provide the best possible trip given route conditions and available services. Due to the nature of our business and exchange rates, prices are subject to change. All prices quoted are U.S. dollars but we gladly accept payment in Canadian dollars also. If you have any questions before making your reservation, please contact us.
Getting There
You start in Beaune, about 320 km southeast of Paris.
Beaune is a famous and pleasant town in the heart of the Côte d’Or vineyards. It boasts a charming medieval quarter of narrow streets, welcoming squares and buildings topped with gleaming roof tiles. Beaune can be easily reached from Paris via Dijon. It is also close to the international airports in Lyon and Geneva.
1
Day 1
Beaune
Arrival in Beaune and stay at the hotel des remparts in the old town at the classic level or in Montagny-lès-Beaune at the Bed & Breakfast level. The luxe option, Hotel le cep a beautiful 4 stars, is located in the old part of Beaune.
2
Day 2
Beaune
Explore Beaune, with its chic cafés and wine boutiques. Admire the Hôtel Dieu, with its colourfully patterned roof. On a day ride, discover the wine villages of the Côte d’Or, home to the most famous wines of Burgundy: Clos de Vougeot, Nuits-St-Georges, and Meursault, which produces one of the best white wines in the world.
Ride Distance: 32 km, elevation gain 174 m or 49 km, gain 274 m.*
3
Day 3
Canal de Bourgogne
Today there’s a challenging climb as you cross over the Côte d’Or hills into a delightful countryside of pastures dotted with white Charolais cows and fields of sunflowers. Arrive at the poplar-lined Canal de Bourgogne, in the shadow of Châteauneuf, at Ste-Sabine, where you’ll stay for two nights.
Ride Distance: 52 km, elevation gain 613 m or 55 km, gain 725 m.*
4
Day 4
Canal de Bourgogne
Visit les châteaux today! Commarin merits a stop, with its 16th- century tapestries. You can choose to cycle up to perched Châteauneuf, a fairy-tale castle with a moat and a drawbridge, or admire its setting from the river valley!
Ride Distance: 25 km, elevation gain 239 m or 66 km, gain 596 m.*
5
Day 5
Semur-en-Auxois
Wind your way through dreamy villages, past roadside crosses, and along the Burgundy Canal to Semur-en-Auxois, with its massive brown brick bastions towering over the Armançon River.
Ride Distance: 65 km, elevation gain 489 m.*
6
Day 6
Semur-en-Auxois
Spend a second night in Semur to explore this region. Especially recommended is a pilgrimage to the Abbey of Fontenay. This oldest surviving Cistercian abbey has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ride Distance: 53 km, elevation gain 521 m or 58 km, gain 525 m.*
7
Day 7
Noyers
Enjoy a last stroll in Semur before your departure.
*Distance and elevation gains may vary depending on hotels chosen for specific departure.
Casual/B&B
Hotel de France, Beaune
A charming, modest hotel in the centre of Beaune with rooms furnished with traditional furnishings. The hotel restaurant Le Tast'Vin is a local favourite serving regional specialities.
Hostellerie du Chateau, Châteauneuf-en-Auxois
This 3-star hotel in the center of Châteauneuf overlooks the Canal de Bourgogne and the surrounding countryside. This is one of France’s most beautiful villages with fairytale turreted towers dating back to the twelfth century.
Hôtel des Cymaises, Semur-en-Auxois
In the heart of medieval Semur-en-Auxois, this ancient mansion from the 13th and 14th century has been transformed into a comfortable casual hotel with 18 peaceful guest rooms.
Classic
Hôtel des Remparts, Beaune
Situated inside the historic remparts of Beaune (hence the name), close to restaurants and cafes, this 17th century building was renovated into a traditional 3-star hotel, preserving the charm of the ancient mansion, with modern comforts. Straight Talk: This hotel’s style is more traditional than contemporary and some guests comment that it could use an updating.
Manoir de Serrigny, Vandenesse en auxois (Châteauneuf)
This intimate inn has only four rooms (all large) and the property has a swimming pool and tennis courts. The pretty village of Serigny is delightful to stay in and the host, Marie-Pascale is very welcoming. Recommended by Alistair Sawdays’ Special Places to Stay
Hôtel de la Côte D’Or, Semur-en-Auxois
Recently refurbished, this 3-star hotel is in the center of town and is our choice for comfortable stay in Semur-Auxois. Restaurants are walking distance from the hotel.
Luxe
Hôtel Le Cep, Beaune
Originally built in 1442, this 5-star hotel features a magnificent tower and a beautiful stone staircase, as well as two historical courtyards and a picturesque garden. Rooms are decorated in the traditional French style. Member: Small Luxury Hotels of the World; Chateaux & Hotels Collection
Abbaye de la Bussière, La Bussière-sur-Ouche (7km from Châteauneuf)
This Relais & Châteaux hotel, once a medieval castle and Cistercian monastery offers luxurious lodgings surrounded by an 18 acre park. The one-star Michelin restaurant is superb and was recently rated one of the top 20 in France by the Sunday Times.
Hôtel de la Côte D’Or, Semur-en-Auxois *Classic Inn
Recently refurbished, this 3-star hotel is in the center of town and is our choice for comfortable stay in Semur-Auxois. Restaurants are walking distance from the hotel.
Trip Reviews
“We truly appreciated the way you worked with us to tailor to our higher mileage desires. The hotels were truly French. Help in getting bikes to fit excellent. Route (and use of our phones for route) terrific! We felt very safe on the roads selected and the scenery was terrific. Far more beautiful than I’d expected. The one meal you booked was among the best in our travel!”
“All B&Bs were excellent especially the first one in Beaune. All the people were very kind, generous and helpful. The small towns were very scenic. Everything was great.”
“We would do it again! We loved the narrow country roads with sparse traffic, little old villages, and French country side. All three accommodations were excellent and different from each other. We thoroughly enjoyed our hosts at the B&Bs and the staff at l’Hotel de la Cote d’Or was very accommodating, even packed us a take away breakfasts on our departure day. Lucien & Brigitte at Fare Nui are great hosts and Lucien’s cuisine is to die for! At Dome de Serigny, Marie-Pascale did laundry and would not accept payment. Excellent bikes! Well-designed handlebar bag. Good variety of terrain.”
“Please keep your selection of B&Bs; they are not only clean and beautiful but our hosts and hostesses were warm and friendly and very informative. Lucien and Brigitte are a wonderful couple. Marie Pachael was very sweet, and the staff at our B&B in Semur-en-Auxois positively excellent. I would take this tour again just to see every one of these fine people! I was very pleasantly surprised by the lightness and easy handling of the bike provided. I have since purchased a Cannondale hybrid! To say I enjoyed my experience is an understatement. Let me just say that most folks have a bucket list, I don’t. I have a list of things I never thought I would do. For example, I have parasailed, biked in Amsterdam, horseback in Costa Rica, zipped-lined in the jungle etc. To-date, I have travelled to Europe 8 times and been outside of Canada so many times that I have lost track yet, this cycle tour is the top of my list!”
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