France: Burgundy Canals Bike Tour
Seven nights; seven days. Easy cycling on the paved and unpaved towpaths of the Canal du Bourgogne, converted railbeds, and quiet roads. Experience the villages, vineyards, and farmlands of Burgundy on this flat and easy bike tour.
“Loved the differences in lodgings, and the variety of routes. Also enjoyed stopping in the various towns for a break and coffee or lunch.” – Lisa J.
WHY THIS TRIP?
- Car free tow-paths and exceptional bicycle infrastructure
- The beautifully restored Chatéau d’Eguilly
- The UNESCO site of Abbaye de Fontenay
- The ancient fortified town on Dinan
ROUTE EXPECTATIONS:
Daily Distance:
- DAY 1: Introductions & ~40 km
- DAY 2: ~38 km
- DAY 3: ~54 km
- DAY 4: ~54 km
- DAY 5: ~71 km
- DAY 6: ~63 km
- DAY 7: ~70 km
- DAY 8: Farewells
France: Burgundy Canals Bike – Elevation Profile
(Click image to enlarge)
Elevation Profile
Activity Levels
The easiest routes we offer, these are generally flat and cover relatively relaxed distances. You will be comfortable riding a hybrid bike, walking in sneakers, or paddling a light kayak, and will normally have time to take many photos and enjoy extended lunches.
This is primarily an easy route, but some days may fall into the moderate category. You can expect time to stop and smell the roses, but some of the rides may be on more hilly terrain.
Requiring moderate fitness levels, these cover terrain with hills and valleys, and tend to include distances of 50-80km (30-50mi.)/day cycling, or 3-6 hours of walking per day. Most Freewheeling Adventures fall into this category, and are suitable for most ability levels.
This is primarily a moderate route, suitable for most ability levels, but some days may be a little more challenging. You can expect some long distances, and/or some big climbs/descents.
The most challenging trips, these include longer distances, bigger hills, long hikes, exposed paddling, and full days of activity. We recommend a higher degree of fitness and training to make the most of the experience.
There is also a rare double black diamond, reserved for only the most difficult adventures.
Start: Montbard train station, 13:00, day one. Frequent trains available from Paris Bercy station.
Finish: Tournus train station, ~10:00, day seven. A 20-minute local train takes you to Macon, from where the high-speed train goes to Paris and other European centres. Recommended hotel in Macon: Chateau de Pizay, www.chateau-pizay.com.
Please contact us to arrange alternate plans, if necessary.
Arrival and the UNESCO site of Abbaye De Fontenay ~39km
Train connections from Paris to Montbard are frequent, usually taking about 2 ½ hours. Following an early afternoon meeting in Montbard you will become acquainted with your bikes and route. From Montbard it’s a short ride to the UNESCO site of Abbaye de Fontenay – founded in 1118, it is one of Europe’s oldest and best preserved Cistercian abbeys. Spend some time exploring the charming Abbaye before continuing the journey to your nearby inn. The ride today is mostly flat, except for a short climb as you enter the hilltop town where you’ll spend the next two nights. D (Meal inclusions shown for guided trips. Self-guided trips include breakfast only.)
Maison du Tisserand de L’Abbaye, Flavigny-sur-Ozerain; or,
Hostellerie d’Aussois, Semur-en-Auxois
Loop ride to Semur en Auxois ~38km
Today’s loop ride takes you to the medieval town of Semur-en-Auxois where you can explore the historic core. Visit the 13th century gothic-style church, and walk along the city’s ramparts for beautiful vistas of the surrounding countryside. Follow quiet lanes back to Flavigny-sur-Ozerain and your inn. BL
Same lodging
Flavigny-sur-Ozerain to Saint Sabine ~54km
Continue following the Burgundy canal, through numerous small villages. Leave the canal to visit the former home of American artist Douglas Gorsline in Bussy le Grand. His work is on display. Later, visit the Abbey at Flavigny and its monks’ masterful textile creations at the nearby Maison des Arts Textiles & du Design. View the acclaimed contemporary art collection at the beautifully restored Chatéau d’Eguilly, and decide whether to take a diversion to Château de Commarin before enjoying a marvellous 3.3km canal tunnel enroute to your small chateau hotel. BLD
Chateau Sainte Sabine, Saint Sabine
Highlight: “Sitting on the terrace at Chateau Ste. Sabine watching deer on the hill with Chateauneuf on the horizon, just waiting for the knights to ride out of the forest!.” – Anne J.
Saint Sabine to Dijon ~54km
After a morning visit to Chateau de Chateauneuf-en-Auxois overlooking the Bourgogne valley, ride through the valley to Dijon, enjoying majestic views of the rolling hills without ever having to pedal over them. You can also visit the chateaux at Malain and Lantenay along today’s ride. Arrive in Dijon in time to take in the cathedral Notre-dame-du-Dijon and the expansive Ducal Palace. Once the seat of the Burgundy Dukes, and still the most important city in Burgundy, Dijon offers shopping, wine tasting, and many local attractions. BL
Hotel Philippe Le Bon, or Hotel du Palais, Dijon
Dijon to Beaune ~71km.
Transfer or ride to Beaune, one of France’s prettiest towns, home of the stunning “Hospices de Beaune” and its intricate tile roofs. It is best to allow plenty of time to visit and shop in Beaune before finishing the ride to your hotel in nearby Puligny-Montrachet, known for producing perhaps the most famous white wines in the world. BD
Hotel La Chouette, or Maison d’Olivier Leflaive Hotel, Puligny-Montrachet
Beaune to Tournus ~63km with a 20 min van transfer
Begin on the Canal du Centre’s bicycle towpath as far as Chalon-sur-Saône, then follow the “Voie Verte,” a paved railbed through the beautiful landscapes of South Burgundy. The route takes you through the charming little wine town of Givry, skirting the foot of the Côte Chalonnaise vineyards to the highly evocative former railway station of Saint-Gengoux-le-National. Finish at the Chateau de Cormatin and its gardens, unique in France for its exceptionally well-preserved interiors from the reign of Louis XIII (1628). Peruse the fascinating cycling museum found here before a short transfer to your hotel at Tournus. BLD
Hotel Greuze, or Hotel Le Rampart, Tournus
Loop ride through southern Burgundy ~70km
Transfer from Tournus to begin cycling at the Chateau de Cormatin again. From there, travel through a cyclist-only tunnel to Cluny and visit the ancient Romanesque Benedictine abbey, once perhaps the largest church in Christendom, founded in 910. Ride downhill to Mâcon, a picturesque city on the Saone River, with its famous “Maison de Bois.” Finally, ride the Voie Bleu bike path (mixed paved and unpaved) along the banks of the Saone back to Tournus. Your guides will say farewell tonight. BL
Same lodging
Farewells
It’s a two-minute walk to a 20-minute, once-hourly train trip to Macon, where the TGV train station has direct connections to Paris. Relax over breakfast first. B
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.
SCHEDULED DATES
2023 Guided:
- May 14-20
- Aug 20-26
- Sep 10-16
2024 Guided:
- May 19-26
- Aug 25-Sep 1
- Sep 15-22
Self-Guided available any dates, except for those listed above. New dates are also welcomed for guided or private departures.
PRICING
Guided: C 4895 (per person, double occupancy)
Includes 8 days, 7 nights, 7 breakfasts, 5 picnics, 4 dinners, route instructions, maps, some entry fees, luggage handling, van and guide support, taxes
Small groups or private tours, fully supported with drivers/guides and vehicles, all lodging and most meals included. Choose from existing dates or request new departures. Read more on our “What to Expect” page.
Self-Guided: C 4295 (per person, double occupancy)
Includes 8 days, 7 nights, 7 breakfasts, route instructions, maps, inn to inn luggage transfers, on-call emergency support, taxes
Semi-supported, independent tours including welcome briefing, lodging, luggage transfers and necessary vehicle transfers. Choose from existing dates or request new departures. Read more on our “What to Expect” page.
Single Occupancy: 995
Bike Rentals:
Hybrid-Fitness: 265
Carbon Racing: 455
Electric-Assist: 395
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.
Please see above for accurate pricing and inclusions, unless we have proposed a customized trip for you and those details are provided in your custom proposal.
1. Choose an advertised date to join a small group, or see our Join a Group page to see where groups are already forming.
2. Pick your own dates. We will confirm quickly, and are happy to talk with you as you make your choice. If you would like a private guided date, this usually comes at a surcharge depending on the details, please get in touch for more information. If you prefer self-guided, we usually only require two participants to initiate a new date at the advertised price, and can sometimes reduce prices for you if you have four or more.
More Reading:
Cycling in Burgundy, with its highly developed bicycle infrastructure, is one of the great pleasures of Europe. You will ride along towpaths next to the canals Bourgogne and Central, built between 1784 and 1843 for improved transportation of firewood, farm bounty, and an abundance of wine, to Paris. The lush, viable soil of Burgundy, on the fringe of the Loire River Valley, is flush with farms and wineries, producing some of the world’s most highly reputed Pinot Noires and Chardonnays. It is also home to a unique architectural style of clear Roman influence.
Starting in Montbard, an area pegged as “convenient” by Julius Caesar, you will travel eastward along the Burgundy Canal all the way into Dijon. From there you will continue to the central Burgundy town of Beaune, and the picturesque vineyard region along the Saone River. Enjoy riding traffic-free for most of the route, on towpaths and railbeds. Eight days of tranquil, pastoral cycling, elegant lodgings, and fine dining will demonstrate why this is such a beloved place for cycling comfort.
