Self-guided cycling
6 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 2
Moderate
Headwater
Navigation App
Optional
e-bike hire
Uncover the wonderful flavours of Burgundy on this six-night self-guided cycling holiday. Long established as one of France's finest wine regions, the Cote d'Or is home to historic Beaune and famed Nuits-Saint-Georges. Here, culture and tradition thrive amid some of the world's most prestigious vineyards, which are now collectively recognised as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. To the north, past numerous medieval chateaux, lies Dijon with its rich blend of architecture and the magnificent palace of the Dukes of Burgundy. A short distance away you'll find the tranquil Canal de Bourgogne, meandering along the Ouche River valley up to the fortified 15th century Chateauneuf-en-Auxois, which sits fairytale-like on a hilltop and is listed as one of France's most beautiful villages.
Cycle along quiet lanes, vineyard tracks, tranquil waterside paths and smooth greenways, enjoying views of majestic vine-clad hills, fields of shimmering wheat and waterways where grey herons stalk fish. Each day discover opportunities to sample fine wines and visit esteemed producers before stopping for lunch in unspoilt villages set against a backdrop of swaying vines and ancient oak forest.
In a region known for its epicurean finesse, you can really enjoy fine dining on this holiday. There will be excellent local dishes on offer in the hotels and in local restaurants such as Oeufs en Meurette, Poulet de Bresse a la Creme, Perche aux Noix and of course exquisite cheeses like the pungent Epoisses de Bourgogne, all washed down with the region's incredible Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines. You'll stay in excellent hotels including a perfectly located hotel in Beaune, an elegantly renovated farm and a marvellous 18th century chateau with a pool and eight hectares of carefully tended grounds.
Wander the streets of Beaune and marvel at the multi coloured roofs of the 15th Century Hospices de Beaune. Overnight at the perfectly located Hotel Le Central and take your pick from the plethora of local restaurants nearby.
You stay at Hotel Le Central.
Mastercard
Hairdryer
WiFi
TV
Renovated in 2018, this 16th century hotel is located in Beaune city centre, in front of the Hospices de Beaune. Hôtel Central offers family rooms and free WiFi.
Featuring a contemporary decor, each room offers a wardrobe, a desk and a private bathroom with bath or shower and hairdryer.
A continental breakfast, including local produces, is served every morning. Guests may also taste local wines at the on site bar. Dame Tartine by Edgar, the hotel's restaurant, is located 50 yards away, in front of the Hospices de Beaune. It serves traditional, regional cuisine and toasts prepared with organic bread from the bakery. Guests may eat in the dining room, on the terrace on in the property's courtyard.
Room upgrades: Superior, Junior Suite and Suite.
Parking in Beaune
Hotel has 6 spaces in a locked and private garage £25 per car per day and should be pre-booked. Free parking is available in the town with no restrictions in terms of length of stay – hotel can advise suitable car parks on arrival.
This morning, perhaps pay a visit to the lovely 18th century chateau at Pommard before continuing past pretty Aloxe-Corton and Ladoix-Serrigny. You might like to take a short detour to visit Savigny-les- Beaune too, with its collection of vintage cars, motorbikes and planes, or to spend some time in the Parc de la Bouzaise in Beaune before lunch in the world-famous Nuits-Saint-Georges. In the afternoon your route leads you on to the 16th century Chateau du Clos de Vougeot before the final stretch through Vosne-Romanee (home of the world's most expensive wine), Chambolle-Musigny and Morey-Saint-Denis to your hotel, an elegantly restored farmhouse in Gevrey-Chambertin.
You stay at La Rôtisserie du Chambertin.
Mastercard
Visa
AmExHairdryerWiFi
Minibar
Safe
Tea/coffee
Offering 2 French restaurants, hotel La Rotisserie du Chambertin is located in Gevrey-Chambertin at the heart of the Burgundy vineyards. It features a shaded terrace.
The rooms all have an LCD TV and a minibar. Free WiFi access is available. The private bathrooms include a walk-in shower or a bath, hairdryer and free toiletries.
A continental breakfast is available each morning. The Bistrot Lucien restaurant is open every day for lunch and dinner and guests can also enjoy a meal at the gastronomic Table d'Hôte restaurant, which is open from Tuesday to Saturday. You can savour refreshing drinks inside or on the terrace during sunny weather.
Please note that there are no twin bedded rooms at the Rotisserie.
Room upgrades: Superior
Today, perhaps visit the ancient city of Dijon, just 8 minutes away by rail. Here see the Church of Notre Dame, the 12th century-15th century timbered houses, the cathedral with its 1,000-year-old crypt, and the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy along with a host of museums and other sights.
Leave the vines behind and cycle up through the Combe Lavaux - Jean Roland nature reserve to appreciate stunning views across meadows to the Ouche River valley. Then it's freewheeling all the way along quiet country lanes, past fields of wheat and rapeseed to Fleurey- Ouche and the famous Canal de Bourgogne. Here you'll experience gentle pedalling along towpaths and greenways between the canal and the peaceful River Ouche. Lunch can be enjoyed with a picnic by the water's edge in any number of sleepy riverside villages, at a cafe-restaurant in a former lockkeeper's cottage, or even before or after a visit to the Chateau de Barbirey with its superb gardens. The ride ends at the 18th century Chateau Sainte-Sabine.
You stay at Château Sainte Sabine.
MastercardAmEx
PoolHairdryerWiFiTVMinibar
AirconSafeTea/coffee
The simply stunning 17th century Chateau de Sainte Sabine, built on the site of an ancient monastery, was painstakingly renovated in 2012 by owners Susanne and Jean-Louis Bottigliero. The chateau's rooms offer a distinct blend of modern and period decor, combining well with other features of the hotel such as the well appointed bar and the superb gastronomic restaurant with panoramic views. There is also a swimming pool for guests to enjoy amid a natural setting featuring a small lake and eight hectares of carefully tended grounds. From the chateau, there is an unbroken view of the village of Chateauneuf-en-Auxois, one of the select group of 'the most beautiful villages in France', and the surrounding countryside.
Room upgrades: Luxe Room.
The Luxe rooms are more spacious with a separate lounge area.
Today's route is a lovely circular ride taking in two famous Burgundy chateaux. The first is the Chateau de Chateauneuf in the incredible medieval village of Chateauneuf-en-Auxois. Clearly visible from the hotel in Sainte-Sabine, Chateauneuf-en-Auxois is perched high on the hilltop with its 15th century fortress and 12th century keep. Then, cycling down country lanes, you come to the village of Commarin with its magnificent moated chateau, a site of importance since the early 13th century.
Pass countryside and quiet farming villages to the ancient town of Bligny-sur-Ouche with its 12th century church, 15th century tower and twelve water mills. After crossing the River Ouche, a short climb leads you to Montceau-et-Echarnant, next to which lies the tiny Templar church of Saint John the Baptist, where the ground is paved with the gravestones of Templar Knights. From here it's downhill through meadows and woodland to the village of Nantoux, and then back out into the vines. The adventurous can take one last climb to enjoy spectacular views from the Hautes-Cotes de Beaune but both roads lead back to delightful Pommard where final wine tastings can be had at the chateau before heading back to the hotel in Beaune.
You stay at Hotel Le Central.
MastercardHairdryerWiFiTV
Renovated in 2018, this 16th century hotel is located in Beaune city centre, in front of the Hospices de Beaune. Hôtel Central offers family rooms and free WiFi.
Featuring a contemporary decor, each room offers a wardrobe, a desk and a private bathroom with bath or shower and hairdryer.
A continental breakfast, including local produces, is served every morning. Guests may also taste local wines at the on site bar. Dame Tartine by Edgar, the hotel's restaurant, is located 50 yards away, in front of the Hospices de Beaune. It serves traditional, regional cuisine and toasts prepared with organic bread from the bakery. Guests may eat in the dining room, on the terrace on in the property's courtyard.
Room upgrades: Superior, Junior Suite and Suite.
Parking in Beaune
Hotel has 6 spaces in a locked and private garage £25 per car per day and should be pre-booked. Free parking is available in the town with no restrictions in terms of length of stay – hotel can advise suitable car parks on arrival.
Please note that cycling helmets are compulsory in France for children under 12. As we are unable to provide these, we strongly recommend that you bring your own.
Please see our Planning you holiday page for full details.
If you'd like to extend your trip with extra hotel nights we recommend: Hotel Le Senat, Paris.
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Bank
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The 4 star Le Senat is simply stunning! There are just 41 rooms, all stylishly furnished and a couple of suites with terraces, if you really fancy splashing out! All have satellite television, mini bar, air-conditioning, safe and hairdryer, plus Internet access.
The hotel has its own small bar - adorned with photographs of eminent artists, being in the heart of the artists' quarter - plus a reading room with complimentary internet access.
Breakfast is taken in the basement, where you'll find a copious buffet of viennoiseries, cereals, fruit salad, ham, cheese, bread, yoghurt, bacon, eggs, sausage, fruit juices, tea or coffee. If you prefer, you can have a continental breakfast served to your room at no extra charge.
Le Senat is perfectly located on a quiet side street just a stone's throw away from the Luxembourg Gardens and metro, and a five-minute walk from the vibrant Latin quarter, where you'll find a plethora of restaurants to suit all budgets.
We do not currently have departure dates and prices available on-line. The season may have ended for this tour, or we are still in the process of adding these details to our website.
Please contact our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 to for further details or to discuss alternavie trip options.
Self-guided cycling
6 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 2
Moderate
Headwater
Navigation App
Optional
e-bike hire
