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 âBonne Route!â Self-guided cycling is the ultimate way to discover Burgundy.
Location
Beaune
Beaune, France
Day 1+2
Canal de Bourgogne
Canal de Bourgogne, France
Day 3+4
Semur-en-Auxois
Semur-en-Auxois, France
Day 5+6
VĂŠzelay
VĂŠzelay, France
Day 7+8+9
Whatâs Included in the Cost of Your Trip?
INCLUDED INÂ REGULAR TRIP
8 nights hotels
All breakfasts and 2 dinners
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
We recommend you to start this trip on a Friday so that you can see the market in Beaune held every Saturday.
We recommend you to start this trip on a Friday so that you can see the market in Beaune held every Saturday.
Custom trips also available and can start any day. Call or email for details.
TOTAL DAYS
9 days / 8 nights, with 7 days cycling
ARRIVE / DEPART
Beaune / VĂŠzelay
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 $2,470
Single Supplement: US $620
Classic Accommodation: US $2,995
Single Supplement: US $750
Luxe Accommodation: US $3,670
Single Supplement: US $920
Bike Rentals
Hybrid Bikes: US$360
E-Bikes: US$640
E-bikes are generally available but are on an âon request basis â 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, weâll do our best to provide. E-bike rentals are non-refundable. Â
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 CĂ´te dâOr 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 cafĂŠs and wine boutiques. Admire the HĂ´tel Dieu, with its colourfully patterned roof. On a day ride, discover the wine villages of the CĂ´te dâOr, 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.*Â
3
Day 3
Canal de Bourgogne
Today thereâs a challenging climb as you cross over the CĂ´te dâOr 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 youâll stay for two nights.Â
Ride Distance: 52 km, elevation gain 613 m or 55 km, gain 725 m.*Â
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!Â
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.Â
Ride Distance: 53 km, elevation gain 521 m or 58 km, gain 525 m.*
7
Day 7
Noyers
A ride through the heart of Burgundy takes you to VĂŠzelay. On your way visit Ăpoisses, famous for both its cheese and its château. Follow the Cousin Valley past the fortified town of Avallon, finishing finally in VĂŠzelay, as pilgrims did in ancient times.
Ride Distance: 64 km, elevation gain 325 m.*
8
Day 8
Noyers-sur-Serein
The magnificent cathedral of VĂŠzelay 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 VĂŠzelay.
Ride Distance: 28 km, elevation gain 435 m or 38 km, gain 584 m.*
9
Day 9
Leave from VĂŠzelay.
*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 Franceâs most beautiful villages with fairytale turreted towers dating back to the twelfth century.
HĂ´tel 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.
Le Compostelle, VĂŠzelay
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.
Classic
HĂ´tel 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 hotelâs 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 Sawdaysâ Special Places to Stay
HĂ´tel de la CĂ´te DâOr, 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.
HĂ´tel de la Poste et du Lion D'Or, VĂŠzelay
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: Fodorâs describes the hotel as: âA terrace out front welcomes you to this rambling hotel, which features light, bright (if somewhat staid) roomsâmost with private balconies.â
Luxe
HĂ´tel 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.
HĂ´tel de la CĂ´te DâOr, 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.
HĂ´tel de la Poste et du Lion D'Or (Classic), VĂŠzelay
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: Fodorâs describes the hotel as: âA terrace out front welcomes you to this rambling hotel, which features light, bright (if somewhat staid) roomsâmost with private balconies.â
Trip 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.”
Leave a Review