Burgundy Walking: From Dijon to Meursault

8 Days from

USD 2,599

Walking & Trekking

Ways to Travel :

Self-Guided Holidays

Activity :

Walking & Trekking

Activity Levels :

1 out of 7 - Leisurely

Group Size :

Ages :

12+

Trip Code :

W07BN

Discover the treasures and delightful charms of the Burgundy vineyards with 2 of the most famous appellations: Cote de Nuits and Cote de Beaune

Follow The Route des Grands Crus (Wine Route) passes through the most prestigious part of Burgundy's vineyards, between Dijon and Beaune then on to Meursault. Throughout these gentle hills, the vineyards run in tight rows between each town, just a few miles from each other.

Explore typical vineyard architecture of beautiful limestone houses with tiled roofs. Often organised between courtyards and gardens, these winegrowers' houses almost all have old cellars, the centrepiece of the house that the owner will allow wine lovers to discover. Visit the traditional villages, often opulent with occasional wine merchants' houses built in the 18th or 19th century. Gathered around their Gothic church, sometimes Romanesque, with their fountains and wash houses, these villages are places emblematic of life in the Burgundy vineyards.

Each village has its own vineyard and appellations, red (pinot noir) and/or white (Chardonnay), and along the route, you will walk through a harmonious landscape full of charm: Gentle curves, vineyards organised into parcels, some of them surrounded by dry stone walls, a river or hedge. These are the 'Clos' (enclosed plots), whose entrance is sometimes adorned with impressive gates or porches bearing the owner's name. Some plots have also retained their small limestone structures, called 'Cabotes', which used to serve as tool stores, somewhere the winemaker could rest and stop for a bite to eat.

Fine wines pairs with fine cuisine. During this tour, your taste buds are invited to taste the traditional beef bourguignon, a wine-based dish bien sur, to dishes that are 'en meurette,' meaning cooked with lardons and red wine. Such dishes include œufs au vin (eggs), coq au vin and jambon persille (parsleyed ham). All regional dishes are either prepared and/or enjoyed with wine.

Highlights

Discover the treasures and delightful charms of the Burgundy vineyards with 2 of the most famous appellations: Cote de Nuits and Cote de Beaune
Explore the peaceful countryside from glazed roof villages, old stone buildings, churches and numerous wine chateau estates
Stroll in Dijon and Beaune both capital towns of Burgundy

Key Information

7 nights hotel-to-hotel accommodation in a mix of 3 hotels
All breakfast and 4 evening meals
Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
Route directions and maps
Luggage transfers between hotels
Walking transfers

Countries visited: France

What's Included

7 nights hotel-to-hotel accommodation in a mix of 3 hotels
All breakfast and 4 evening meals
Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
Route directions and maps
Luggage transfers between hotels
Walking transfers

What's Not Included

Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement)
Solo traveller supplement (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)
Transfers for Land only (available on request at additional cost)
Visas and vaccinations

5 Days of Walking & Trekking

Day 2

9 km / 5.6 miles

Day 3

14 km / 8.7 miles

Day 4

19 km / 11.8 miles

Day 6

8 km / 5 miles

Day 7

22 km / 13.7 miles

Responsible Travel

At Exodus we believe in the power of Responsible Travel.

Every time we travel, we are part of a global movement that creates jobs, builds more sustainable societies, encourages cultural understanding and safeguards common natural and cultural heritage. To learn more about what Responsible Travel means to Exodus click here…

Itinerary

An emblematic city of gastronomy and lifestyle, Dijon is also the gateway to some of the most prestigious vineyards in France. Stroll in the narrow streets of the old city and feel free to follow the smell of mustard and gingerbread and stop for a tasting. Dijon is called 'The town of 100 bells', because of its beautifully preserved architectural heritage, dating back to the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

Transfer to Marsannay, a city reputed for its rose wines (unique in the Burgundian region). This village opens the Route des Grands Crus de Bourgogne and offers a landscape of soft curves, where vineyards run in close rows from villages to villages. This is a land where the plots surrounded by old dry stone walls are called clos (enclosures), and where beautiful castles like to leapfrog up the hills. With its double vaulted cellars, Marsannay's cellar is a good place to start on the route. Continue towards Fixey and Gevrey-Chambertin. Known worldwide, the small town didn't let fame change it-it's still peacefully wrapped around its Romanesque church and medieval castle. To get a look at the town's panorama, you have to take the high path, just behind the vineyards. It is worth a look!

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Cross through the Grand Cru vineyards and pass by the village of Chambolle Musigny before continuing to one of the most famous sites of Burgundy, the majestic Château de Clos Vougeot.

Your path continues across the vineyards of Echezeaux and Romanée-Conti.You could almost miss this vineyard (and what a shame if you did)! A simple sign in the shape of a crucifix by the side of the road indicates one of the most treasured grape plots in the world, that of the domain Romanee-Conti. It is there, on 1.8 hectares (4.5 acres), that the most expensive and most famous red wines on the planet are born. The secret of this nectar with aromas of rosehips and rose petals? Its climate, its land which enjoys perfect exposure and the work of the winemakers that has improved the wine over the centuries. Continue your way until you arrive at Nuit St Georges. The small town that gives its name to the famous Côte de Nuits is the cradle of some of the world’s greatest red wines. Nuits-Saint-Georges also welcomes the Cassissium, a place dedicated to cassis, the black gold of Burgundy.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today's walk leads you to the Hautes Cotes de Nuits. Pass through charming villages and descend into the Cotes de Beaune and Aloxe Corton. At the foot of the 'illuminated' mountain of Corton, Aloxe-Corton, a village with three chateaux, produces two grands crus. Corton red is the Emperor of the red grands crus of the Cote de Beaune, while the second, Corton Charlemagne white, is the Emperor's wine, 'Carolus Magnus' having owned a vineyard here in the 8th century.

Meals Included: Breakfast

A magical Burgundian city of medieval charm, famous for its hospices and ramparts. Enjoy a visit at the 'Hotel Dieu' this flamboyant Gothic 15th century former hospital, crowned with polychrome slates, is known worldwide for its 60 hectare (150 acre) vineyard. The wines of Cotes de Nuit, Pouilly-Fuisse and Cotes de Beaune are sold at auction.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Walk through the first Premiers Crus vineyards, heading to Pommard. When one thinks of red wine, Pommard is a name that first comes to the lips, a name evocative of a village and an iconic vineyard of Burgundy where Pinot Noir reigns supreme. A pleasure for the eyes as well as the tongue, Pommard is home to an 18th century castle built in front of the vineyards, boasting magnificent French-style gardens, vaulted cellars and an astonishing art gallery with exceptional cuvees and works by Dali, Picasso and Miro.

Then continue in the direction of Meursault. The unjustly charming capital of the great white wines of Burgundy, with a vineyard mostly planted with chardonnay grapes, lying in the middle of the hills of a gentle slope. With its vineyard castles, its cozy houses, its great restaurants lorded over by spire of its gothic church, Meursault embodies 'la douce France' (sweet or gentle France).

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Make your way across the vineyards, to pass through hamlets, forest and reach Chateau of La Rochepot. This 12th-century feudal castle of neo-Gothic-Burgundian style is covered with glazed burgundy tiles and is jewel in the green scenery.

Then wind through the Grands Crus of Chassagne-Montrachet and Puligny-Montrachet. Here is a vineyard that does not deserve to be judged by its cover-it's set up on a rocky hill of a bald mountain that turns out to be a terroir of excellence in the heart of the Cote de Beaune. In this ocean of vineyards, two villages, accomplices and rivals at the same time, share the honor of producing the world's grandest dry white wine.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Depart Meursault after breakfast.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Essential Info

Visa

France

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter France. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/france
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/france
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france/entry-requirements
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/France.html

Vaccination

France

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, rabies and tick-borne encephalitis. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Eating and Drinking

All breakfasts and 4 evening meals are included.

Burgundy is in short a gold mine for those who have a passion for both fine food and fine wine.

Burgundy is first and foremost a land of excellent wines and so naturally they are omnipresent in the local cuisine. From the traditional beef bourguignon, a wine-based dish bien sûr, to dishes that are "en meurette," meaning cooked with lardons and red wine. Such dishes include œufs au vin (eggs), coq au vin, as well as charcuterie and jambon persillé (parsleyed ham). All regional dishes are either prepared and/or enjoyed with wine made by one of the marvelous winemakers of Burgundy.

Weather

In Burgundy, the summers are comfortable and partly cloudy which makes it ideal for cycling. The winters are very cold, windy, and mostly cloudy. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from -0°C to 25°C and is rarely below -7°C or above 31°C.

The hottest month is July with daily average temperatures being around 24°C

Weather Charts

Burgundy Walking: From Dijon to Meursault

Is this trip for you?

Activity Level: 1 (Leisurely)
Average daily distance: 14.5km (9 miles).
No. of days walking: 5
Terrain and route: Walks on this holiday are gentle and flat. There are no tough climbs. Walks are through villages, and vineyards.

Vehicle Support: This is a self-guided trip for those who prefer to walk independently, but with our assistance to take out the stress of the logistics and planning. We arrange your accommodation, provide you with route directions so that you can walk at your own pace, while your bags are transported from one hotel to the next.

It is important that you are happy following route directions, we make these as accurate as possible and they are regularly checked.

As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There maybe others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. The routes directions contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the local agent is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service.

Families
Self-guided cycling holidays are a perfect option for families as they offer the freedom for you to take your holiday at your own pace. You can stop as and when you want and need, at the cafes and restaurants that suit your family and the sites that interest you. We have suggested the minimum age for this trip is 8yrs as we feel they will be able to ride the bikes we have to offer and complete the route. However our local partner is able to offer child seats for children aged 2-4yrs (max. weight 22 kg, hills will be tricky). These are all subject to availability, and therefore we ask that you enquire about these on booking. Please note due to the size of the bikes and distanced required to cycle, this trip is not appropriate for children aged from 5-7yrs (who are too big for the child seats, but not big enough to ride the children’s bike). As a guide we have suggested that 8yrs is the minimum age for this trip, but as it is self-guided and you will be leading your own family we will ultimately leave this decision up to you. The daily distances are all published in the trip notes along with a description of each days cycling so you have a good idea of what to expect. However, if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact one of our experts. The principle idea is that these holidays can be as flexible as you like, with logistical support but no group or leader to dictate the daily activities. Please bear in mind the weather when choosing to book, temperatures can be very high in the middle of summer and the child seats provided do not have any shade. We therefore recommend going either earlier or later on in the season if you have young children.

Hotels

HOTEL DES DUCS, DIJON
This hotel is located in historic centre of Dijon, listed as a World Heritage site by Unesco, 50 m from The Palace of the Dukes. It offers a bar and free Wi-Fi. Hotel Des Ducs serves a buffet breakfast each morning and guests can relax with a drink on the terrace. Rooms at Hotel Des Ducs are equipped with a telephone, flat-screen TV and private bathroom with bath or shower. The rooms are accessible by lift and some are air-conditioned. Hotel Des Ducs is less than 50 m from the Museum of Fine Arts, the city’s opera house and the city’s shopping area.
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.

HOTELS ARTS ET TERROIRS, GEVREY CHAMBERTIN
The hotel features elegantly styled rooms with beautiful old pewter and copper furniture. They are equipped with modern en suite facilities and free Wi-Fi internet access. Take time to relax in the spacious drawing room with its classy interior and warm and intimate wine bar.

HOSTELLERIE LA GENTILHOMMIERE, NUITS ST GEORGES
this typical Burgundy hotel is housed in a 16th-century hunting lodge. La Gentilhomière offers comfortable rooms and suites with personalised decor and modern amenities including free Wi-Fi internet access, complimentary cakes and pastries, and a coffee machine. When the weather is fine you can enjoy access to the large outdoor swimming pool and open-air tennis courts. There is also a beautiful 13-hectare park crossed by the River Meuzin.

HOSTELLERIE DE LA BRETONNIERE, BEAUNE
In Beaune, the Hostellerie de Bretonnière is a former coaching inn dating back to the 18th century. With its old stones and its flower-filled courtyard, this traditional building offers all the comfort, and is only 5 minutes walking distance from the historical centre of Beaune. Seat on the terrace and enjoy the calm of the inner courtyard.
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.

HOTEL LE CHEVREUIL, MEURSAULT
This family run hotel offers en-suite guestrooms with LCD TVs and free Wi-Fi. The Chevreuil restaurant serves regional specialties, which can also be enjoyed on the hotel’s large terrace in summer.
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.

Covid-19 refund commitment

You will get a refund if you have to cancel your trip due to COVID-19.

Availability

This trip is available on request. Please proceed with your booking online or contact our Sales Team for assistance.