Day 1
Discover the treasures of Dijon such as the Church Notre Dame, the Tomb of the Dukes, who were more important than the king of France in medieval Burgundy. The influence of the Dukes of Burgundy was renowned and they were particularly close to the English throne.
Day 2 Dijon – Beaune 43 km
The rolling vineyard countryside is waiting. This is the heart of Burgundy and you will savour it. Don’t miss a visit to the wine château of Aloxe Corton, with its delightfully ornate roof, or the 12th Century Clos de Vougeot Château, which was the property of the Citeaux Abbey for several centuries. In Nuits St Georges you will have a tasting in the world-renowned wine village that has produced wine for a thousand years.
Day 3 Beaune – Chassey-le-Camp 37 km
In the morning you will visit this cultural wine capital, with its famous Hôtel Dieu the ancient hospice, a 15th century masterpiece of gothic art, built after the Hundred Years War. You are leaving for some of the most famous wine villages in the world, Pommard, and Mercurey. Historical monuments, such as old village ‘Lavoirs’, typify this area. On the way the Castle Château de Rochepot.
Day 4 Chassey-le-Camp – Cluny 66 km
Today you will explore the Côte Chalonnaises that lies between the foothills of the Morvan Mountains and the valley of the River Saône. The Côte Chalonnaises are a perfect geographical bridge between the famous wine-growing areas of the Côte de Beaune to the north and the Mâconnais to the south. This area is no less distinguished with its own array of famous appellations. At Comartin you can see the magnificent château and it’s garden before you follow the cycle route to Cluny.
Day 5 Cluny – Tournus 37 km
Cluny is a very important place with its Abbey that was one of the biggest in Europe until the 16th century. Cluny and Saint Philibert are two of the 250 Romanesque churches. From here you are crossing the splendid countryside between the Chalonnais and Tournus. Tournus is set along the banks of the Saône. Here the ancient Abbey of Philibert is waiting to be explored.
Day 6 Tournus – Chalon-sur-Saône 34 km
The River Saône is never far away. Chalon is a busy river port town and the birthplace of Nicéphore Niepce, the inventor of photography. There is an intersting museum that is named after him. The gothic cathedral in the heart of the city, and the chapel and the pharmacy of the ancient hospital are also worth a visit.
Day 7 Chalon-sur-Saone – Beaune – Dijon 52 km
Today you will cycle along the Canal du Centre with beautiful scenery and vineyards all the way to Beaune. On the way you will cross the Cote Chalonnaise, with its very lovely landscape, small hills, and yet more vineyards.
Way back to Dijon on the train (30 minutes).
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