Day 1 Arrival to Auxerre
Auxerre, 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 9th Century containing one of the oldest mural paintings discovered in France, not to mention a charming city centre with great boutiques.
Day 2 Auxerre – Chablis 38 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.
Then you continue to the Chablis vineyards. Burgundy’s largest white wine vineyard is your programme today. Arriving in Chablis, it will be time to enjoy a Chablis wine tasting.
Day 3 Chablis- Noyers – Nitry 34 km
After a visit of Chablis you follow the Serein valley through the beautiful villages of southern Chablis vineyards to the medieval town of Noyers with its Naïve Art museum. Noyers has preserved fortifications and half-timbered houses. It’s one of the hundred most beautiful villages of France!
Day 4 Nitry – Avallon about 45 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.
Day 5 Avallon – Vézelay about 24 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.
Day 6 Vézelay – Escolives-Ste-Camille 48 km
Starting 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 and the Saussois cliffs.
Escolives is near the Canal de Nivernais, a small village where you will spend a peaceful night in a winegrower’s farm.
Day 7 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 8
C’est la vie – your biking holidays in Burgundy are finished. After having a last breakfast you have to say goodbye to this charming region in France!
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