Cycling the Vineyards from Beaune to Macon

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7 Days from

USD 2,649

incl. Taxes

Cycling

Ways to Travel :

Self-Guided Holidays

Activity :

Cycling

Activity Levels :

1 out of 7 - Leisurely

Group Size :

Ages :

12+

Trip Code :

C06BD

Cycle through vineyards and villages in Burgundy from Beaune to Macon while enjoying incredible food and wine.

The Route des Grands Crus is the must-see wine route in Burgundy: 50 miles through 37 villages with world-famous appellations. Gevrey-Chambertin, Nuits-Saint-Georges or Pommard. There is no better way to discover Burgundy, its vineyards and its wines. From Beaune to Macon, ride along this famous 'Route des Grands Crus' and explore some of the world's most prestigious vineyards, which are now collectively recognised as an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This tour will continue along waterside paths along canal and bike path through quiet countryside landscapes. Follow 'Voie Verte' trail, a former railway line converted into a cycling path. This is a unique way to discover the environmental and cultural wealth of Southern Burgundy, through an authentic natural path that winds its way to the famous abbey of Cluny.

This area is popular with gastronomes and for good reason! You can look forward to fine dining on 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, as well as jambon persille (parsleyed ham). A tour to taste the real Burgundy flavours.

Highlights

Varied cycling: vineyard tracks, country lanes, waterside paths and a bike path along the canal
Explore the nice Romanesque town of Cluny
Enjoy the beauty of the South of Burgundy and its undulating landscapes
Discover and stay in Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy

Key Information

6 nights hotel-to-hotel accommodation in a mix of 3 Star hotels
Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
E-bike hire available on request (supplement applies)
Luggage transfers between hotels

Countries visited: France

What's Included

All breakfasts and 3 evening meals
Route directions and maps
High Quality Bikes

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)
Visas & vaccinations

5 Days of Cycling

Day 2

40 km / 24.9 miles

Day 3

28 km / 17.4 miles

Day 4

32 km / 19.9 miles

Day 5

46 km / 28.6 miles

Day 6

28 km / 17.4 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

Wander the streets of Beaune and marvel at the multi coloured roofs of the 15th Century Hospices de Beaune.

A day to explore Beaune: The wine Hospices, the Basilica, and the mustard factory are some of the places to enjoy.

A jewel of flamboyant Gothic architecture, this polychrome roof of The Hotel Dieu announces the splendour of what's inside, like the la grande salle des Pauvres, the chapel and the kitchen of this medieval hospital, a treasure of Burgundy. Its reputation is also due to the nectars of the winery, which are sold at auction every November under the market.

Or you can enjoy a first ride through the vineyard.

Meals Included: Breakfast

A route through Cote de Beaune passing by all the most famous wine villages:

First stop is in 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. Then, Volnay and 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.

Continue via Santenay towards Chassagne and Puligny Montrachet : located on a rocky hill of a bald mountain which is a terroir of excellence in the heart of the Cote de Beaune. In this ocean of vineyards, Chassagne and Puligny Montrachet are two villages, accomplices and rivals at the same time, share the honour of producing the world's grandest dry white wine.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

A day spent cycling peaceful country lanes and on a bike path along a canal. This cycling path is part of the European cycling route EuroVelo 6. It is a peaceful and pleasant way along fishermen and house boat. You will pass near the wine village of Rully and Chalon sur Saone.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today, you will cycle on the 'Green Way', a former rail line transformed into a bike path. Follow this route via the wine village of Givry and enjoy peaceful landscapes and lovely Romanesque architecture before reaching the Abbey of Cluny. Founded in 910, the Benedictine Cluny Abbey had an exceptional influence on Europe, both political, artistic and religious.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Continue to follow the bike path to Macon. On your way stop at the chateau of Berze le Chatel with lovely views. Jewel of Southern Burgundy, this imposing fortress with its fourteen towers preserves a set of medieval rooms and a Carolingian chapel.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Depart Macon 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 3 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

Cycling the Vineyards from Beaune to Macon

Is this trip for you?

Activity Level: 1 (Leisurely)
Average daily distance: 35km (21.5 miles).
No. of days cycling: 3
Terrain and route: Gentle cycling on vineyard tracks, country lanes, waterside paths and a bike path along the canal.
Average daily distance and daily distances in itienrary are based off the longest routes on each day. There is an option for a shorter ride on day 2 of the itinerary.

Vehicle Support: This is a self-guided trip for those who prefer to cycle independently, but with our assistance to take out the stress of the logistics and planning. We arrange your accommodations, provide you with a map and route notes so that you can cycle at your own pace, while your bags are transported from one hotel to the next. A representative will be there to meet you, make sure the bikes are all set up and will be on call throughout the trip should you need.

It is important that you are happy reading maps and following route notes, we make these as accurate as possible and they are regularly checked. Where possible we stick to cycle tracks and quiet roads to make the journeys as pleasant as possible, however, on occasion we have to use busier routes.

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 notes contain an emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the local representative 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

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.

AUBERGE DU CAMP ROMAIN, CHASSEY LE CAMP
This hotel with spa and swimming pools, on the hillside, welcomes you in an idyllic setting on the Burgundy Grands Crus route. A refined cooking, a terrace for sunny days, relaxation areas with Spa, indoor pool, outdoor pool, mini golf, tennis court, this hotel is a place for relaxation. The Spa Hotel Romain Camp offers 40 beautifully decorated rooms, an elegant dining room opening on a flowered terrace with a panoramic view over the hills.

HOTEL LE DRACY, DRACY LE FORT
Hotel Le Dracy is the perfect getaway for your holidays. Find peace of mind in the surrounding countryside, and plenty to do in the nearby bustling cities. Step into our harmonious, lovingly furnished rooms to relax and experience a different pace of life. Every room has its own unique atmosphere, and comes with air-conditioning and a high level of comfort. La Garenne more than lives up to Burgundy’s reputation for fine cuisine! The restaurant invites you on a gourmet journey of discovery in its attractive, sunny dining room, or on the terrace in good weather, where you can enjoy traditional, creative cuisine made from fresh produce. The restaurant has an extensive wine menu featuring a number of local vineyards to accompany you on your gourmet adventure. Find peace and calm to revitalise yourself. Enjoy a small piece of paradise, designed for your optimal comfort and offering highly relaxing therapies in the Spa. The hotel features a spa with an indoor heated swimming pool, sauna, steam room, rain shower, fitness room, two double cubicles and one single cubicle for treatment, and a selection of herbal teas, all spread across 300 m².

HOTEL DE BOURGOGNE, CLUNY
Built on the remainings of a Benedictine abbey, this 3-star hotel is in the centre of Cluny. Built in 1817, the hotel offers free Wi-Fi access and drinks can be served in the lounge or outside. Rooms at Hotel de Bourgogne overlook the interior garden or the abbey-church dome. Each one also has a private bathroom with free toiletries and some rooms are air-conditioned. The buffet breakfast can be served in the breakfast room or in the garden when the weather is nice.

HOTEL IBIS STYLE, MACON
his hotel is located in the city centre, only 50 m from Mâcon Train Station. It offers air-conditioned rooms with unlimited free Wi-Fi access and the tree-lined park features a swimming pool. A flat-screen TV and a radio are provided in the guest rooms, which have a contemporary décor. The private bathrooms include a hairdryer and amenities. At the ibis Styles Mâcon Centre, you can enjoy a drink in the bar. A buffet breakfast is provided every morning, and in the surrounding area you will find various restaurants.

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.