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.
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.
Beaune, France
Day 1+2
Canal de Bourgogne, France
Day 3+4
Semur-en-Auxois, France
Day 5+6
Vézelay, France
Day 7+8+9
| Start any date between May 1 and Oct 31. |
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| Custom trips are also available and can start any date, call or email for details. |
Moderate
48 km (30 mi) daily average
Extra km possible
Some hills every day of moderate difficulty with one very challenging climb on Day 2
Casual Accommodation: US $2,725
Single Supplement: US $680
Classic Accommodation: US $3,245
Single Supplement: US $810
Luxe Accommodation: US $4,050
Single Supplement: US $1,010
Bike Rentals
Hybrid Bikes: US $440
Racing Bikes: US $540
E-Bikes*: US $640
*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.
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.
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.
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; elevation gain: 274 m
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; elevation gain: 725 m
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; elevation gain: 596 m
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
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; elevation gain: 525 m
Noyers
A ride through the heart of Burgundy takes you to Vézelay. On your way visit Époisses, famous for both its cheese and its château. Follow the Cousin Valley past the fortified town of Avallon, finishing finally in Vézelay, as pilgrims did in ancient times.
Ride Distance: 64 km; elevation gain: 325 m
Noyers-sur-Serein
The magnificent cathedral of Vézelay shelters astonishing carvings. Stand where St. Bernard and Eleanor of Aquitaine exhorted a field of knights on to the first crusade. Cycle south and dip into the Regional Park of the Morvan, then return to Vézelay.
Ride Distance: 28 km; elevation gain: 435 m or 38 km; elevation gain: 584 m
Depart
After breakfast, depart from Vézelay.

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.

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.

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.

This casual inn has just 18 rooms, a quiet garden and a terrace on the village square. The breakfast room boasts panoramic views over the valley. Recommended as a Frommer guide favourite.

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.

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

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.

This former post office has been renovated into a 3-star hotel. The rooms have great views and the hotel restaurant has a good reputation among guests. Straight Talk: Fodor’s describes the hotel as: “A terrace out front welcomes you to this rambling hotel, which features light, bright (if somewhat staid) rooms—most with private balconies.”

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

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.

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.

This former post office has been renovated into a 3-star hotel. The rooms have great views and the hotel restaurant has a good reputation among guests. Straight Talk: Fodor’s describes the hotel as: “A terrace out front welcomes you to this rambling hotel, which features light, bright (if somewhat staid) rooms—most with private balconies.”
Tour Reviews
“This was my favorite of our 5 trips with you. I loved the country side and generally lack of traffic. Loved the birds and the verdure. Of course the wine and food were great too. I liked all the hotels and I am picky- the Hotel des Remparts in Beaune is lovely, charming, well located and the staff are great. The small lodge in Auxois has a lovely owner, it is beautiful with gardens and I loved the pool. I liked the last hotel in Vezelay Hotel for its old grandeur and setting. Both dinners were great choices. Thank you. We were happy with the e-bikes. I love the GPS.”
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