|
Walking
in the 'Land of Great Art and Good Living'
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 walking holiday through 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 wander at a relaxed pace across rolling hills with forests of beech and oak through some of the best of rural France..
Beaune is the hub of Burgundy’s wine industry, at the heart of a cluster of prestigious vineyards such as the Cote d’Or, Cote de Beaune and Cote de Nuits and is the obvious place to start our trip. The first walking day is just 3 hours on foot to Meursault; a gentle start allowing time to visit the sights in Beaune and sample some wine in the village of Pommard on route. Don’t miss 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. A circular walk to Saint Romain includes a ruined chateau and a 12th century church as well as some beautiful scenery and a great restaurant for lunch. A steady climb from Meursault, to join the ‘Grande Randonnee’ paths, takes in mature oak forests before descending to the village and stunning chateau of La Rochepot. A visit to the chateau is a must before walking on to Nolay, a village of fine mediaeval buildings, narrow streets and half-timbered houses.
The second half of the week is a little more taxing and involves walking an average of just over 18km per day and ascents of about 500m climbing onto the escarpment and hilltops for glorious views as far as the Alps. There is still time however to enjoy the delights of Rully, the ancient Chateau of Montaigu, the produce of the Cotes Chalonnaise and many more sleepy hamlets and villag
|
Accommodation
7
nights/8 days - The first and last nights are spent in a 3* hotel on a B&B basis, in a quiet street not far from the historic centre of
Beaune. It is built against the old city walls and full of character with a pleasant secluded courtyard. There is a great selection of restaurants in the centre of town just a few hundred metres from the hotel. Two nights are also spent in
Meursault where our 2* hotel is situated on the main square of this pretty village. Half board is included in
Meursault as the hotel restaurant is considered the best in the village. Just one night is spent in the 2* hotel on the old market square in
Nolay. Dinner is included here and is taken at a rustic restaurant owned by the hotelier 200m across the street. In
Rully you should try the Cotes Chalonaises wines whilst staying for two nights, on a half board basis, in our 2* hotel; it will complement the traditional menus provided by the hotelier.
If you start the tour on a Friday or Saturday you spend two nights in a 3* hotel in
Chassey-le-Camp instead of Rully. The two villages are only 4km apart.
.
Sherpa Notes
Waymarking
Much of the tour follows the ‘Grande Randonnee’ long distance trails; which are clearly waymarked with red and white symbols.
Accommodation
and Meals
Dinner, B&B 5 nights, B&B 2 nights in 2 and 3 star hotels
Travel
Transfer via RER/Metro to Paris Gare de Lyon for TGV train to Beaune. On return, train from Beaune to Paris for connecting flights.
via Rail: Eurostar St Pancras to Paris. Transfer via RER/Metro to Paris Gare de Lyon for TGV train to Beaune. On return train from Beaune to Paris, to connect with Eurostar. Details on application. |
vacations
|
