Take this rich and rewarding walk to experience authentic France, close up. Set off on a journey of exploration of the land, its people and history. Walk deep into the heart of France. Begin in Vézelay, spectacular, perched, and unforgettable, with its immense basilica of stunning interior lightness and stone carvings of such liveliness that they speak to us today. Your ultimate destination is Auxerre. This ancient Roman city crowds cathedrals among half-timbered houses. In between, contemplate gentle kilometres of walking, and a stellar line-up of accommodations.
Location
Vézelay
Vézelay, France
Day 1+2
Vault-de-Lugny
Vault-de-Lugny, France
Day 3+4
Chablis
Chablis, France
Day 5+6
Auxerre
Auxerre, France
Day 7+8
What’s Included in the Cost of Your Trip?
INCLUDED IN REGULAR TRIP
7 nights hotels
All breakfasts and 2 dinners
Luggage transfers
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
Particulars
EVENT DATES
Any start day between May and October
We recommend you to start your tour on a Tuesday to see the market in Vézelay held every Wednesday.
We recommend you to start your tour on a Tuesday to see the market in Vézelay held every Wednesday.
Custom trips also available and can start any day. Call or email for details.
TOTAL DAYS
8 days / 7 nights with 6 days walking
ARRIVE / DEPART
Vézelay / Auxerre
ACTIVITY LEVEL
9 to 18 km daily (6 to 11 miles), averaging 12 km (7.5 miles)
Opportunities to shorten the walking distance through taxi transfers
This is rated the easiest of the Randonnée walking tours
TERRAIN
Some moderate hills on some of the days
COST
Classic Accommodation: US $2,625
Single supplement: US $650
Luxe Accommodation: US $3,210
Single supplement: US $800
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 Vézelay, about 250 km southeast of Paris.
Travel to Vézelay requires both train and bus or taxi connections.
The fastest and easiest but most expensive routing is to take the TGV (high speed train) from Paris Gare de Lyon to Montbard, then take a taxi. In the evenings, a bus connects Montbard with Vézelay (except on Sundays and holidays).
This train and bus journey totals 2.5 hours. There are many trains each day between Paris-Gare de Lyon and Sermizelles-Vézelay. A change of train is required plus a short taxi ride from the station to the town centre. This journey takes between 2.5 and 3.5 hours.
1
Day 1
Arrival day
Arrive in Vézelay, a magical village that was once a starting point for the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. It was also here that St. Bernard and Eleanor of Aquitaine urged knights to join the first crusade.
2
Day 2
Morvan
On a day walk from Vézelay, you’ll explore the clean, green hills of the Parc Régional du Morvan. Walk through the small but fascinating vineyards originally planted in the Middle Ages, devastated by phylloxera, then replanted beginning in 1975. Saint-Père-sous-Vézelay has a small but lovely church, and an interesting maker of wooden clogs!
Distance: 8 km.*
3
Day 3
Vault-de-Lugny
Head off on a Grande Randonnée route to the village of Vault-de-Lugny. It’s a charming site on the lovely Cousin River, but the real attraction is the château where you will be staying for two nights.
Distance: 14 km.*
4
Day 4
Vault-de-Lugny
Meander along the curves of the Cousin River to the confluence with the Cure. This is classic Burgundian scenery. Pastures dotted with white cows rise up gentle hills crowned with oak trees. The villages are built of a lovely brown stone, adorned with burgundy shutters and roofs. Today’s highlight is the beautiful town of Avallon, high above two ravines. Walk back or hop in a taxi to return to Vault-de-Lugny.
Distance: 16 km.*
5
Day 5
Transfer by taxi to the pretty village of Chitry. Take time to visit the fascinating old church, fortified during the Hundred Years’ War, then begin today’s walk through the vineyards. Pause at the beautiful little church near Préhy and amble amongst the vines. Your destination is Chablis, identified with the light, dry, white wine produced in the area. You’ll spend two nights here.
Distance: 12 km.*
6
Day 6
On a day walk, head into the countryside to explore the vineyards. Be sure to leave time to explore the town and visit the splendid 12th-century church of St-Martin-de-Tours
Distance: 12 km.*
7
Day 7
Auxerre
Start with a taxi ride to Vincellotes, from where you follow the Canal du Nivernais and the Yonne River as you head to Auxerre. Choose to walk past Les Caves de Bailly to taste crémant, sparkling like champagne. The caves are deep in the hillside, in an ancient quarry. Auxerre is a wonderful destination. Originally Roman, the town boasts many churches, particularly the Cathédrale de St-Étienne rising high above the waterfront. Half-timbered houses crowd narrow streets which open into squares lined with smart shops.
Distance: 15 km.*
8
Day 8
Linger in Auxerre before departing for other destinations.
*Distance and elevation gains may vary depending on hotels chosen for specific departure.
Classic
Hôtel SY-Les Glycines, Vézelay
This 18th century mansion offers fully renovated rooms with views of the gardens, terraces, heaven of Vézelay or the impressive Sainte Marie Madeleine Basilica. Its exceptional decorative elements, makes it a real machine to travel through time!
Château de Vault de Lugny (Luxe), Vault de Lugny
With 100 acres on the banks of the Cousin River, this historic 16th century luxurious chateau even has a moat and medieval tower dating from the 13th century. Rooms are decorated with tapestry, fine antiques and beamed ceilings and some open to the 100 acre parkland surrounding the chateau. You’ll appreciate the charm and elegance of this Bouguignon domaine.
Hostellerie des Clos (Luxe), Chablis
This comfortable and charming 4-star hotel dating from the 12th century has individually decorated guestrooms as well as a large restaurant opening onto impressive gardens. The hotel’s location, near the town hall, offers a friendly and warm atmosphere in its historical setting.
Hôtel Les Maréchaux, Auxerre
Very close to the centre of Auxerre, this historic hotel, private park and pool offer the secluded charm of 19th century residences surrounded by hundred year old trees. Guest rooms are beautifully decorated and each is named after a Marshal of France. Relax in one of the comfortable, secluded lounges graced with Victorian style.
Luxe
Hôtel de la Poste et du Lion D'Or, Vézelay
This former post-house located in the heart of Burgundy has been renovated into a charming hotel. The 37 rooms and suites have great views, including some overlooking the magnificent countryside, and the hotel restaurant has an excellent reputation as offering the best food in town.
Château Vault de Lugny, Vault de Lugny
With 100 acres on the banks of the Cousin River, this historic 16th century luxurious chateau even has a moat and medieval tower dating from the 13th century. Rooms are decorated with tapestry, fine antiques and beamed ceilings and some open to the 100 acre parkland surrounding the chateau. You’ll appreciate the charm and elegance of this Bouguignon domaine.
Hostellerie des Clos, Chablis
This comfortable and charming 4-star hotel dating from the 12th century has individually decorated guestrooms as well as a large restaurant opening onto impressive gardens. The hotel’s location, near the town hall, offers a friendly and warm atmosphere in its historical setting.
Hôtel Les Maréchaux (Classic), Auxerre
Very close to the centre of Auxerre, this historic hotel, private park and pool offer the secluded charm of 19th century residences surrounded by hundred year old trees. Guest rooms are beautifully decorated and each is named after a Marshal of France. Relax in one of the comfortable, secluded lounges graced with Victorian style.
