Self-guided walking
8 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 1+
Leisurely plus
A region where Renaissance chateaux, medieval villages and castles stand proudly amongst the vineyards, Burgundy is steeped in history and offers a tradition of exceptional wines and fine foods. It's an area rich in birdlife and wildlife enthusiasts are in for a real treat!
Starting in medieval Auxerre, one of the prettiest riverside cities in France, this gentle-paced ramble takes you through picture-postcard Burgundy. You'll walk along towpaths, river valleys and wheat fields alive with bright red poppies, as you head via the wine capital of Chablis, to the fortified medieval town of Vezelay, an important stopping-off point for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. Vespers are still held here daily at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Basilica of Mary Magdalene. En route, you'll pass through world-famous vineyards with plenty of degustation opportunities and flower-filled hillsides crowned with woods and pretty riverside villages.
You'll stay in hotels hand-picked for their perfect location, warm welcome and superb regional cuisine. In Auxerre you'll stay in a family-run hotel that was converted from a maison bourgeoise, and the Hostellerie des Clos is a gastronomic boutique hotel, nestled in the heart of Chablis. Louis Philippe, the French King (1830- 1848) is reputed to have stayed in your next hotel at Vermenton and the Hotel Les Glycines in Vezelay is just a few steps from the Basilica.
Moderately easy walking following the well-marked GR13, with just the odd short, steepish climb. Towpaths, wooded slopes, hilltops and vineyards.
Your hotel is ideally situated just a few minutes' walk from Auxerre's historic centre.
You stay at Hotel Normandie.
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This hotel was originally a maison bourgeoise until it was converted into a hotel by an ex-patissier! It has now been in Mme Ramise's family for over 45 years.
The hotel only provides breakfast, although a la carte room service is possible (very reasonably priced and a good selection of hot and cold dishes). However, it's fun to explore the lovely town of Auxerre and there are plenty of good restaurants in all price ranges within 5-15 minutes walk.
There's a public swimming pool in the town and a sauna at the hotel (approx 7€). There is a secure closed garage behind the hotel (5€ per day) or free parking in front (ask at reception).
Room upgrades: Privilege Room.
The Privilege room has a very spacious bedroom with king size bed.
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
We give you a lift to Venoy where you join the 'Wine and Cheese route' ambling gently through vineyards until you reach the lakeside wine village of Beine. After a leisurely lunch, you stroll along the lake beneath the Premier Cru vineyards into the village of Poinchy where you will find some of our favourite Chablis caves. Your final stretch follows the River Serein into the town of Chablis and on to your hotel, a gastronomic jewel nestled in the heart of the town.
You stay at Hostellerie des Clos.
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The Hostellerie des Clos is a family run hotel in the heart of Chablis. The hotel is set in beautiful gardens, with terrace for breakfast or pre-dinner drinks. There is a cosy lounge and all the rooms are individually decorated across two buildings.
Room upgrades: Grand Confort Room, Superior Room or Duplex Room.
Grand Confort rooms offer the same facilities as the standard Confort rooms but are approximately 5m2 larger (24m2). Superior rooms offer the same facilities as the standard Confort rooms but are much larger (average size 53m2). Duplex rooms are over 2 floors with an approximate surface area of 90m2. They also have a separate lounge area and have direct access to the sauna.
The entire town of Chablis is almost completely devoted to the production of some of the world's finest white wines, and there are a plethora of cellars to visit and taste. You can follow the popular 8km circular walk around the celebrated Grand Crus vineyards with panoramic views of Chablis town.
From the viewpoint at Courgis, head through the vines to the village of St-Cyr-les-Colons. Continue through forest and farmland to Cravant, with its 18th-century donjon. We transfer you to the Moulin des Ruats in Pontaubert, your hotel for the next 2 nights.
You stay at Moulin des Ruats.
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Located just 4km from Avallon, the Moulin des Ruats is full of character, it's a former 18th-century watermill offering 25 comfortable bedrooms that mix elegance and refinement with modern decoration. The restaurant has a large picture window opening onto the forest and the mill wheel so you can watch the river flow as you enjor the fine local cuisine.
Take a walk in the beautiful Vallee du Cousin or visit nearby Avallon with its cobbled streets and impressive town houses.
Follow part of the Camino de Santiago, keeping your eyes peeled for rare birdlife. Th ere are wonderful views of the magnifi cent hilltop basilica as you approach Vezelay. You stay at the Hotel SY les Glycines for two nights, with dinner included.
You stay at Hotel SY Les Glycines.
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Hotel Les Glycines is situated just 50m from the basilica and has been recently renovated from a 18th century townhouse to create a charming hotel with 13 individually decorated well equipped rooms. Breakfast is served at the sister hotel La Terrasse, just 50m up the hill beside the basilica, they also offer a restauramt service at La Terrasse.
Room upgrades: Superior room or Suite.
The C12 basilica is a masterpiece of sacred art and a UNESCO world heritage site and is definitely worth exploring. It is the largest church in France, and was the launching point for two Crusades. A short walk takes you to the village of St Pere-sous-Vezelay and its ornate Gothic church, or you can visit the nearby Roman Baths or Fontaines Salees.
It's a great walk today for bird-spotting and seeing wild animals. As you leave Vezelay behind and head into the forest, look out for roe deer and stags, or pairs of jays darting in front of you. The route passes through tranquil hamlets and open farmland to Sermizelles before your transfer back to Auxerre.
If you'd like to extend your trip with extra nights at the start or end, or if you'd like to arrange a stop off point en-route, then we recommend: Hotel Le Senat, Paris.
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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 walking
8 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 1+
Leisurely plus
