Cost:
884 UK based on double.
Single supplement: 354 UK
Start Dates: March to October.
Duration:
Seven nights
Tour Profile: Moderate.
Accommodation: 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. TTrips starting on a Monday or Tuesday stay 4km
further on in a 3* hotel in Chassey le Camp instead
of Tully. The two nights in Buxy are spent in a 2*
hotel with a pool, you evening meal is 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).
Included: Seven nights accommodation, breakfast daily,
two dinners, luggage transfer, route maps and notes, local
representative for assistance.
Itinerary: Start Point: Beaune
End of Tour: Beaune
Day
1. Arrive
Beaune. There is lots to see and do in Beaune if you
arrive reasonably early. If you arrive later then there is
time on the morning of day 2 and later in the week to
visit all the sights.
Day
2. The
hire bikes are delivered to you at the hotel after
breakfast. Details of exact times will be given in the
route notes and can be confirmed at the hotel. You can
spend time in Beaune before starting your ride or just
take it easy, as the first day’s ride is fairly short
and easy (30kms) through Chardonnay land. The villages of
Pommard, Meursault and Santenay will be a great
introduction to the Province and good options for morning
coffee and/or lunch and/or afternoon tea.
If you fancy a little longer in the saddle then a slightly
longer route will take you up to the village of Saint-Romain
before rejoining the normal route.
Day
3. We
carry on south through the Côtes Chalonnaises. The
village of Mercurey produces one of the best examples of
the pinot noir appellation. The route is a bit more
testing passing over rolling hills with a succession of
hamlets, creeks, woods and of course vineyards.
We will stay in the pretty village of Buxy for 2 nights
were we meet the very friendly hoteliers and make the most
of the hotel swimming pool (open in season).
There is a choice of longer or shorter routes, 35kms or
50kms.
Day
4. The
optional ride from Buxy is a loop south to the great Abbey
of Cluny. As on previous days the day is punctuated with
numerous villages and lovely and varied countryside but
this time there are even gallo-roman ruins on the way.
After a good break in the village of Cluny visit one of
the most prestigious abbey complexes in France. You can
cycle back to Buxy by the traffic free cycle path. 70kms
Day
5. From
Buxy, ride northwest to the country town of Couches after
crossing the Canal du Centre. The day’s cycle is
definitely a good contrast to the wine making lands you
have seen so far; this is a land of isolated cattle farms
and oak woods. This ride ends in the old market town of
Nolay. 55kms
Day
6. The
ride from Nolay goes to the old market town of Bligny sur
Ouche and to the Canal de Bourgogne at Pont d’Ouche.
After riding along the peaceful canal using the old
towpath, we cycle back to Beaune. The last 15kms is a
smooth downhill through lovely forest then the great
vineyard of Aloxe Corton. There are two route options for
this ride back to Beaune, one of 45kms and the other of
60kms.
Day
7. The tour ends
in Beaune after breakfast for the 7 day trip or for the 8
days tour the last ride is a loop from Beaune to
the Abbey of Citeaux. The route takes you through the
famous vineyards of the Cote de Beaune with numerous
ancient churches, chateaux and charming villages along the
way. There are a few interesting sights to see in Nuits St
George including the 13th century church and the museum.
From the Abbey, the return route passes through the best
Pinot noir vineyards of Burgundy with Chambolle-Musigny
and Nuits-Saint-Georges among them. There are again two
route options, this time of 55 or 70kms. Whichever option
you choose there is much to see and of course
opportunities to taste some of the local produce!
Day
8. The
tour ends in Beaune after breakfast.
The Bikes
The cost of bike hire is included in the trip price.
18-21 speed hybrid bikes with handlebar bag, panniers,
spare inner tube, repair kit, tools and bottle holder.
Helmets are also provided if required.
Terrain &
Difficulty - Mainly
flat and gently rolling countryside but with some hills of
moderate scale.
|
