Day 1 Auxerre
Your cycling holidays start in Auxerre. A city of Art and History that has conserved an exceptional architectural heritage. Its cathedral, a model of gothic elegance, the St Germain Abbey, a nearly intact monastic complex with crypts dating back to the 9 th Century containing one of the oldest mural paintings discovered in France, not to mention a charming city centre with great boutiques.
Day 2 Auxerre – Montigny-la-Resle 29 km
You begin your cycle through the fields and will stop in Pontigny where you discover the Cistercian Abbey, the largest and one of the most beautiful Cistercian churches remaining in France.
Day 3 Montigny-la-Resle – Noyers-sur-Serein 40 km
Nice day cycling in the Chablis vineyards via Ligny-le-Châtel with its Renaissance church. After visiting Chablis and a wine tasting, the itinerary follows the Serein valley through beautiful villages of the southern Chablis vineyards to the medieval town of Noyers with its Naïf Art museum. Noyers has preserved fortifications and half-timbered houses. It’s one of the hundred most beautiful villages of France!
Day 4 Noyers-sur-Serein – Ancy-le-Franc 58km
From the picturesque village of Noyers sur Serein, you will reach Ancy-le Franc. Your cycling day will be particularly nice, crossing beautiful villages and reaching the Canal de Bourgogne with its romantic towpaths. You will pass through Tanlay, with its Renaissance châteaux and will arrive in Ancy le Franc, where you can visit its renaissance châteaux.
Day 5 Ancy-le-Franc – Montbard 30 km
You will cycle along the Canal de Bourgogne, before crossing the forest to visit the Abbey de Fontenay, a Cistercian Abbey. From there it is only a short ride to Montbard for the night.
Day 6 Montbard – Semur en Auxois 64 km
You will cycle along the canal de Bourgogne and visit the châteaux of Bussy Rabutin, before passing by Alesia where the famous battle between Caesar and Vercingetorix took place in 52 B.C. Then you will return to the Canal de Bourgogne for a 12-kilometre stretch containing 37 locks. Surrounded by beautiful landscapes, you will arrive in Semur en Aussois, a fortified town.
Day 7 Semur en Auxois – Avallon 56 km
Today you cycle across the superb “terre plaine” plateau and Avallon landscapes. You will pass by the medieval hamlet of Montréal before reaching Avallon, a beautiful ancient town.
Arriving in Avallon, you will be able to visit the old city by foot, with its houses ranging from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance.
Day 8 Avallon – Escolives-Ste-Camille 70 km
The cycling continues today through some of Burgundy’s finest landscapes, culminating in a stop in Vézelay and its Sainte-Madeleine Basilica, a Romanesque art masterpiece listed as UNESCO world heritage. During the middle Ages, Vézelay was a major pilgrimage site and a special halt on the way to Compostella. Its Basilica dominates the small mediaeval town and its fortifications. Continuing by a climb to reach the Yonne valley, the itinerary will then follow it and the canal du Nivernais all day. You will come across beautiful sites such as Châtel-Censoir, the Saussois cliffs, and finish in Escolives.
Day 9 Escolives-Ste-Camille– Auxerre 33 km
Water dominates the day, for all around you are some of the greatest rivers of France. In fact, Burgundy has been called the water table of France. All the mighty rivers are interconnected by a marvellous canal system. You are cycling beside the water surrounded by nature before leaving its side to go through the lovely Auxerre vineyard villages: Irancy, Saint-Bris-le-Vineux, and Bailly. In the caves de Bailly you will taste the famous Crémant de Bourgogne before carrying on to Auxerre.
Day 10
C’est la vie – your biking tour in Burgundy is finished. After having a last breakfast you have to say goodbye to this charming region in France!
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