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BIKING
THROUGH BURGUNDY
The Grand Cru of Cycling Holidays
  The noble grape may rule in this prosperous region and the wine may be truly magnificent, but there is much more to enjoy on this cycling holiday through the heart of Burgundy. The local cuisine offers memorable gastronomic experiences and the charming timeless villages are rich in tradition. From the historic winding streets of medieval settlements, set out to ride across rolling hills with broadleaf forests of oak, beech, hornbeam and birch through some of the best of rural France. The itinerary explores the Canal de Bourgogne, has opportunities to visit chateaux and historic sites along the way and of course winds its way through the best-known Bourgogne vineyards. These are found on the great southeast-facing escarpment known as the Cote d'Or or 'Golden Hillside', which overlooks the historic towns of Beaune, Nuits-St-Georges and
Meursault.
This tour through the famous wine-growing region starts and finishes in the beautiful town of Beaune, the hub of Burgundy's wine industry, at the heart of a cluster of prestigious vineyards. There is plenty of time to look around the major sites such as the imposing mansion of the Dukes of Burgundy, the basilica of Notre Dame and the most famous of all the sights in Beaune, the steep pitched patterned roofs of the Hotel Dieu. Just a gentle 30km in the saddle will see you arrive in Rully having passed through prime chardonnay country on the way. A choice of routes for the second ride takes in more rolling landscapes via the hamlets of the Cotes Chalonnaises and the village of Mercurey where one of the best examples of the pinot noir appellation is produced. The destination for the day is the pretty village of Buxy, which will be home for two nights. From Buxy you can make the 70km round trip to visit the Benedictine Abbey of Cluny. Founded in 910 the Abbey was the center of a major monastic reform movement in the Middle Ages and its church was the largest Christian building in the world until St. Peter's Basilica was built in Rome. Today, one transept of the 12th-century abbey church, the 15th-century abbots' residences, the 18th-century convent buildings, gardens and museum make for an interesting visit.
Moving on, we reach Nolay, a village of fine mediaeval buildings, narrow
streets and half-timbered houses. The ride takes us away from the
vineyards through oak woods and prime cattle rearing countryside. Next day
completes the full circle back to Beaune via some canal side cycling,
forests and the vineyards of Aloxe Corton. The final day is an optional
loop to the Abbey of Citeaux (built 1140-1193) and the vineyards of
Chambolle-Musigny and Nuits-Saint-Georges, arguably some of the best pinor
noir vineyards of Burgundy; a fitting end indeed!
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Accommodation
7
nights/8 days - All of the hotels on this route pride
themselves on good food, and are of a high standard. The first and
last two nights are spent in Beaune in a 3* hotel full of
character just five minutes walk from the centre of town. The hotel
is booked on a B&B basis so you can choose from the wide
selection of excellent restaurants nearby, (evening meals not
included in Beaune). In Rully you should try the Cotes
Chalonaises wines whilst staying on a half board basis, in our 2*
hotel; it will complement the traditional menus provided by the
hotelier. The two nights in Buxy are spent in a 2* hotel with
a pool, evening meals are taken at the hotel. One night is spent in
the 2* hotel on a B&B basis in the old market square in Nolay.
(Dinner can be taken in nearby restaurants).
If you start the tour on
a Monday or Tuesday you spend one night in a 3* hotel in Chassey-le-Camp
instead of Rully. The 2 villages are only 4 km apart.
Terrain Mainly flat and gently rolling countryside but with some hills of moderate scale.
Sherpa
Notes Bike
Hire
The cost of bike hire is included in the trip price. 18-21 speed hybrid bikes
with complete repair kit, front and rear panniers, bottle holder and
helmet. Water bottles are not included, please bring your own
and we advise you to take your own helmets (no reduction). Accommodation and Meals
In 2* and 3* hotels all with en suite facilities. Bed and breakfast and
3 evening meals included. Start and End of Tour
Beaune can be reached by train from airports in Paris or Lyon. It is a short taxi ride or 10 minute walk to the 1st hotel from the station. Alternatively you can take a train from London to Beaune.
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vacations
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