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Burgundy

The secrets of Burgundy by bike in 7 days

Cycling trip from Chalon-sur-Saone to Beaune. Discover the world wide known vineyards, Cluny, Mâcon, Tournus, the Hospices of Beaune and the local dishes such as the famous boeuf bourguignon!

Reviews (21) :
4.71 / 5
Reference BG0701
  • Itinerant trip
  • 7 days
  • Easy
  • from March to October
  • Minimum age 10 years
GPSGPS-app available
879€ / pers.
  • Itinerary
  • You discover the heart of Burgundy by bike. The burgund cuisine invites you to a culinary journey around the flavors of mustard, gingerbread, beef bourguignon or froglegs. This bike tour is also an opportunity to stop at the many prestigious wine estates, which stretch along your cycling route: Pommard, Clos Vougeot, Meursault, etc..

    The Burgundy tour takes you not only through the vineyards but also on a beautiful bike lane built on a former railway and on the banks of the Saône. You pass the towns of Cluny, Mâcon, Chalon-sur-Saône, Beaune, Tournus and you immerge into the alliance of culture, flavors and natural landscapes.

    Day 1

     
     

    Arrival in Chalon-sur-Saône

    Discover the historical center and the beautiful cathedral of St. Vincent. Then stroll on the banks of the Saône river to enjoy the view over the bridge and the St. Lawrence Island. Châlon is also the birthplace of the photography. You can learn everything about it at the fascinating museum Nicéphore Niepce.

    Day 2

     
     

    Chalon - Tournus

    Bike
    33km
    You bike the Saône river banks out of Chalon and further the quiet, country roads through the villages. Take time to visit the historic town of Tournus, with its wealth of old buildings. It is one of the oldest monastic centers in Burgundy, featuring the remarkably preserved Abbey of Saint-Philibert. The Hotel-Dieu is a museum inside a former hospital with an apothecary.

    Day 3

     
     

    Tournus - Mâcon

    Bike
    24/29/34km
    Cycle path
    Today, you have two possibilities to be entertained:

    - full bike option: Your bike path goes along the banks of the Saone River. Follow the scenic path which is part of an acient towpath. The entire ride is tranquil as you pass quaint villages and charming vistas on your way to Mâcon. As you enter Mâcon, admire the Saint-Laurent bridge. Take time to catch a glimpse at the Saint-Pierre church and the medieval Wood House. You can also enter the Ursulines Museum which presents the local history and an art collection.

    - canoe + bike option: You need to be at least 5 years old and be able to swim. You begin your day by a canoe ride (you have two distance choices). The Saône river is your guide, relax and enjoy the journey. You can even take a swim! After the canoe, our partner will meet you and will give you back your bikes. You will then continue your ride by bike on the cycle path up to Mâcon.
       

    Canoe on the Saône - 5km journey 1h

    Enjoy a canoe ride to discover the lush and wild countryside from the river side. Easy canoe ride with no particular difficulty.
    25,00 € / child
    35,00 € / adult

    Canoe on the Saône - 10km journey 3h

    Enjoy a canoe ride to discover the lush and wild countryside from the river side. You can make a stop during the journey to take a swim or have a picnic.
    30,00 € / child
    40,00 € / adult

    Day 4

     
     

    Mâcon - Cluny

    Bike
    30km
    Bike lane
    You bike out of Mâcon and find quickly again the dedicated bike path through well-maintained vineyards. If you want a good warm-up, ride to the birthplace of the famous French writer, poet and politician, Lamartine. Otherwise, keep on the bike path to Berzé-la-Ville. Enter the Chapelle des Moines to see its magnificent mural paintings from the Middle Ages. At the foothill of the majestic fortress of Berze-le-Chatel, you ride 1.6km through the longest bike-only tunnel in Europe. This tunnel is closed in the winter to protect a colony of bats! The bike path takes you finally to Cluny. End your day by discovering the history of the Abbey of Cluny, the largest monastic order of the medieval western world.

    Day 5

     
     

    Cluny - Dracy-le-Fort

    Bike
    49km
    Bike lane
    The bike tour goes further on the quiet bike lane and then leads to the Castle of Cormatin, known for its 17th Century unique murals. Stroll across the massive drawbridge and view the gardens and water features. You’ll continue riding on the dedicated bike path through cool forests, vast vineyards and pastoral fields. Be sure to stop in the villages of Buxy, Givry and Dracy-le-Fort and enjoy the wines and the atmosphere of Burgundy!

    Day 6

     
     

    Dracy-le-Fort - Beaune

    Bike
    46/52km
    Drive slowly on the towpath of the Canal du Centre to Santenay. You can visit the castle of Rully on the way (+6kms). Then you definitely enter the vineyard region by visiting the spectacular vineyards of the Côte de Beaune and leisurely stroll around the winehills of Chassagne-Montrachet, Puligny-Montrachet, Meursault, Pommard or Beaune. A real treat!

    Day 7

     
     

    Beaune

    Known for its glazed colored tiles, the town of Beaune is considered as the wine capital of Burgundy. Within its walls, the city bursted with prosperity, that came from trading fine wines produced in the surrounding vineyards. It has kept its charm with its half-timbered houses, mansions and cobblestone streets.
  • Accommodation
  • Category A

    You’ll enjoy staying in these clean and cozy 2-3 Star hotels that give you a pleasant rest after your day of biking. Breakfast is included when you spend the night in these friendly and family-run hotels.
    * Example of the type of accommodation

    Category B

    You’ll get a good night’s sleep when you stay in these 3-4 Star hotels or Bed and Breakfasts. All properties have been selected for their cleanliness, style and friendliness of the staff. A hearty breakfast is included!
    * Example of the type of accommodation
  • Bikes, luggage and documents
  • Bikes

    On your arrival day, we provide you with:

    • a touring bike adjusted to your size or a tandem
    • equipped : front rack pack with an integrated file compartment, saddlebag, helmet (on demand), reflective vest, repairing toolkit with patches etc.

    We also provide you with the appropriate equipment for your children : baby seat, bike trailer or trailer bike depending on their age and size.

    Electric bikes are also available for adults (+1m55).

    You can of course also bring your own bikes, in this case a reduction will be applied (see the Tarif tab)


    Luggage

    Our services include luggage transport in order to let you enjoy your trip comfortably and without stress :
    • We transport your luggage from one accommodation to the next using a private vehicle.
    • Your luggage is directly delivered in your accommodation before you arrive.
    • We provide a saddlebag for the things you shall need during the day.

    Our word of advice : as we know from experience, we strongly recommend you to avoid wearing a backpack during your cycling trip.
    If you expect to arrive at the next accommodation before 5 p.m., we recommend that you take an extra set of clothes with you in your bicycle bag.


    Travel documents

    A cycling holiday is the best way to explore a region and discover its culture, landscapes and local traditions.

    Your tour is self-guided to give you the freedom to ride at your own pace. You will be provided all the information you need to enjoy the itinerary and its points of interests.

    We can provide you with travel documents in paper format (for a supplement of €15 for printing and postage), which include:
    • a roadbook with maps that we drew at the easiest scale to follow on a bike
    • a roadbook with step-by-step description giving the direction to follow at each intersection and highlighting the points of interest

    Example of a map and of a step-by-step description


    Our GPS App

    For this trip, you can also use our smartphone app featuring GPS guidance (without extra fee).

    You will find in the app all the information given in the map and step-by-step roadbooks. You will be located on the itinerary with the GPS device of your phone. The route and directions to follow will be both viewable on the screen of your phone and announced aloud. As you ride along the itinerary, you will be given information about visits, restaurants, services and useful alerts on the way.

    -> You need to have a smartphone and download Le Velo Voyageur app on your Apple or Android store before the trip. All details concerning the downloading and the use of the application will be given after we have confirmed the booking and the balance is paid. Once the trip is downloaded, the GPS guidance can be used off-line.
  • Practical information
  • To get to departure point:

    • By plane: flight to Lyon and then train to Chalon-sur-Saône.
    • By train: direct inter-regional trains from Paris-Bercy station. The duration of the trip is 3h45. Or TGV (fast trains) from Paris Gare de Lyon and connection in Lyon/Le Creusot-Monceau/Dijon to take a regional train to Chalon-sur-Saône. The duration of the trip varies from 2h50 to 3h45. To plan your trip, https://en.oui.sncf/en/


    Parking

    If you drive to Chalon-sur-Saône, you can park your car in a secured car park located in the city center. The weekly rate is about 30€.

    You can also park for free along the river banks.

    All details park will be given in your travel documents.


    To get back to starting point:

    Regional trains take you back to your starting point if you wish. They are accessible without booking in advance and bicycles are free. You have to buy your ticket on spot (full rate 6.60€/adult). You will find the timetable of the day in your travel documents.


    Meeting time:

    The first day is an arrival day without cycling. You arrive whenever you want depending on from where you come. Please note that rooms are usually available in the middle of the afternoon depending on your accommodation. We thank you to advise us if you plan to arrive late.


  • Reviews
  • 21 bike travelers reviews 4.71 / 5

    david ofek

    On the 2024-08-15 by David
    the trail was beautiful! well organize and any problem got immediate answer

    CHOUPETTE

    On the 2024-07-01 by BEATRICE
    Séjour agréable le long de la Saône, des échanges très sympathique avec les personnes rencontrés. Un temps idéale pour faire du vélo toute la journée, ponctuée de visite de châteaux ou monuments religieux. Parcours cyclable très agréable et sécurisant.

    Great experience

    On the 2024-06-16 by G.
    A wonderful and safe trip through Burgongne

    Great tour and tour company

    On the 2024-06-04 by Peter
    Le Velo Voyager provided an ideal tour of Burgundy. The organization was great and the navigation app was brilliant.

    De la Saône aux Vignes, des Abbayes aux châteaux

    On the 2023-08-06 by Nicolas
    Très beau parcours idéal en famille avec des paysages variés de la Saône aux vignes en passant par des forêts et un morceau de Canal. Région gastronomique par excellence qui offre aussi beaucoup d'éléments culturels entre Abbayes et Châteaux. Idéal pour un trajet en famille avec des parcours bien calibré. Seul le vent peut parfois compliquer la tâche. Mention spéciale à Tournus, très jolie ville et à l'Hôtel des Remparts qui sont les deux pics de notre voyage.

    The best way to see Burgundy

    On the 2023-07-15 by Derrick
    Le Velo Voyageur is the ideal mix of supported bike tour and independent exploration. The hotels were charming. The bikes worked well. The luggage transfer was flawless. The route was mostly on scenic bike paths without much traffic. I would consider any of their other tours in the future.

    -

    On the 2023-06-26 by Susanne

    Beautiful tour through burgundy

    On the 2023-05-12 by Richard
    Thank you very much for this well organized and beautiful tour through burgundy. The bikes were fine and easy to ride. What we liked most was the route. It varied a lot. One day we biked alongside a river, the other day through vineyards the next day on an abandoned railway track. There were so many impressions. We soaked all of them up! We can definitely recommend this tour!

    Roland

    On the 2023-05-05 by Roland
    We are very satisfied with the service of Velo Voyageur and the organisation of our trip.

    jean

    On the 2022-09-14 by jean
    séjour en bourgogne très diversifié grâce aux différentes balades faites en vélo via les chemins de halage, l'ancienne voie férrée, le long de la saone, et aux travers des vignes surtout en période de vendanges. nous nous sommes rajoutés quelques montées la roche de solutré et Manot qui est un village à voir. l'application avec vélo voyageur est bien préparée pour appréhender un séjour quelque peu inconnu pour nous.

    La Bourgogne autrement

    On the 2022-08-02 by François/Josiane
    Très beau circuit en Bourgogne surtout quand le temps est de la partie. Beaucoup de plaisir à rouler le long de la Saône où du canal de Bourgogne. La visite de Cluny, du château de Cormatin et le passage sous le grand tunnel du Bois clair resteront de très bons souvenirs. La dernière étape Dracy le Fort - Beaune au milieu des vignobles des grands crus de Bourgogne est un vrai plaisir.

    Trust Le Velo Voyageur to guide you through the heart of France!

    On the 2022-06-19 by Richard McIlveen
    Overall, we give you and your team very high marks and will definitely recommend you to friends and family! The planning, route and app, accommodations and dinner recommendations were superb. We toasted you many times during the trip!

    Eine Schöne Woche mit dem Velo im Burgund

    On the 2022-05-11 by Jakob
    Wir waren mit Ihrem Angebot sehr zufrieden. Alles hat wunderbar geklappt. Sogar das Wetter war hervorragend. Da wir mit dem eigenen Auto und den eigenen Fahrrädern angereist sind. Wäre es vorteilhafter gewesen, wenn Start und Ende der Tour am gleichen Ort gewesen wären. Wir haben daher die letzte Etappe abgekürzt und sind zurück nach Chalon-sur-Saône um das Auto zu holen.

    Wonderful Experience!

    On the 2021-11-02 by Mariana Menescal
    Thanks Le Vélo Voyageus for this amazing experience, everything was perfectly fine!

    Bourgonge

    On the 2021-09-15 by Hendrik
    well organized and varied trip with good bikes

    Roger

    On the 2019-07-20 by Roger
    Enjoyable trip through the bucolic landscape of Burgundy on delightful cycle paths and the odd quiet country road. Excellent way to enjoy the fine wines and culinary delights of this beautiful region of France.

    Wonderful surroundings but too tired to really enjoy it.

    On the 2018-08-22 by Trevor
    The tour took us through some wonderful countryside, but poor sleeping in a couple of poor hotels left us tired and unable to really enjoy it as much as we could have. The bikes were OK, but would be improved with mudguards, (it did rain), and an odometer to help make sense of the step by step instructions. The relocation of our bags went really well. We did have one puncture and were disappointed to find the it had the wrong size inner tube fitted and similarly one of the spare tubes was also too small; luckily, the other bike had the correct size. Overall, I was a little disappointed.

    Bourgogne au soleil

    On the 2017-08-18 by Benoit et Cécile
    Une semaine à la découverte de la Bourgogne, en passant presque toujours à travers les gouttes ! Ce circuit emprunte toutes sortes de chemins : pistes cyclables urbaines, chemins de halage, ancienne voie ferrée, routes de campagne, c'est varié et très agréable. Les sacoches fournies sont fonctionnelles avec étui pour plan sur le guidon : pensez à retailler les documents pour que ça rentre nickel. Prévoyez une burette d'huile, un chiffon, et un bout de cagette pour faire garde boue arrière en cas de pluie ! Sinon c'est le dos repeint assuré... On peut faire garder les emplettes (bouteilles...) à l'hôtel à Châlon jusqu'au terme du voyage, c'est pratique et sympa ! On recommande vivement ce parcours.

    Balade en Bourgogne

    On the 2016-07-01 by danyone
    Le vélo voyageur nous a permis de visiter les châteaux de la Loire l’année dernière et la Bourgogne cette année. Même mode opératoire et réussite identique pour ce périple. Dans des conditions météo mitigées, nous avons apprécié la variété des parcours proposés : - campagnard en suivant la voie verte (une ancienne voie de chemin de fer) - fluviale en longeant la Saône (qui déborde parfois sur les chemins de halage) - très jolie en suivant le canal du Centre (avec de nombreux bateaux de plaisance) - viticole en parcourant la route des vignes entre Chalons et Beaune. Hébergés dans des hôtels de qualité, nous avons également goûté au vin et à la cuisine locale. Une photo vaut mieux qu’un long discours ! Alors rendez-vous sur ma page facebook : https://www.facebook.com/daniel.wangermee/media_set?set=a.10208315861628453.1073741860.1061508273&type=3&uploaded=42. Je voudrais féliciter le Vélo Voyageur et vous faire part de cette petite histoire : J’ai appris (après coup) un soir que nos valises n’avaient pas été livrées au bon hôtel mais que « le vélo voyageur » avait téléphoné à la réception de notre hôtel pour récupérer nos bagages. Chapeau pour l’organisation…

    Unimaginable way to discover beauties and culture

    On the 2015-11-13 by Discover France cycling is the only way
    Our trip to Bourgogne was delightful. We crossed some amazing villages, cities , ridding along the Voie verte. Canal, chateaux, some of the best vineyards. Some of the villages, cities offered their markets with specialties of the regions, antique shows with their rare treasures. We were able to visit a chateau near Beaune, with a large collection of racing cars, old motorcycles and old planes with the good luck of meeting a very pleasant owner! Culture, beauties and delicious specialties were present everyday. Cycling is the only way. Merci Levelovoyageur

    The secrets of Burgundy

    On the 2015-07-26 by Anne
    We spent a lovely week cycling through the south of Burgundy, along disused railway lines, along the Saone and the Canal du Centre and of course through some of the very famous vineyards. The whole trip was well organised, the daily distances were such that there was still enough time to visit places on the way and on arrival. We had some lovely food all week but would like to specifically mention restaurant La Bonne HUMM Heure in Chalon sur Saone - delicious.
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