Great cycling through one of the most famous wine regions of France. Make your daily rides through the rolling hills of the 'Côte d'Or'. Pass picturesque villages and hamlets, bordered by old oak forests and vineyards, and peddle along famous wineries of the world's Grand Cru's like Pommard, Aloxe-Corton and Meursault. Stop for a ’dégustation et vente' and fill your bags with some white or red Burgundy wines. The many castles and abbeys along the road give this trip an extra 'bouquet'.
You'll find out that one of the highlights is the mediaeval town of Beaune. This historical capital of wine with her colorful tiled roofs has a well preserved architecture and atmosphere.
If you arrive early, take a stroll up to the ruins of the Château of Saint-Romain. When the weather is fine, the panorama across Saint-Romain-le-Bas valley is wonderful. Also possible: a vist to the renowned 'Tonnerie François Frères' where they make wine barrels to be shipped round the world.
After breakfast you will start your first bike tour through the Côte de Beaune. The route is full of variation and takes you along old mansions, extensive vineyards and fields. Besides the more wellknown villages as Meursault, Chassagne-Montrachet and Puligny-Montrachet you will also pass the unknown pearls like Chaudenay and Corcelles-les-Arts. A great start to this wonderful trip.
Challenge: 36km, 180m ascent, 180m descent
First a short ride to beautiful Beaune, wine capital of the Côte d'Or, reportedly founded by Julius Ceasar in 52 B.C. Spoil yourself here with a delicious lunch. Take a walk round the city and visit the 15th-century Hôtel-Dieu or 'Hospices de Beaune', a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. Continue through the countryside, past rustic farms, among verdant fields of sunflowers, wheat and corn. Today's tour ends in Aloxe-Corton, celebrated wine village of the Côtes-de-Beaune, where most wines bear the classification Grand Cru.
Challenge: 29km, 200m ascent, 250m descent
Today's ride is an easy one, following quiet lanes through the old Burgundian countryside. Cycle past the quintessential castles and farming villages of 'La Bourgogne' and taste some interesting 'vins d'appellation'. Then, from the town of Chorey-lès-Beaune, you cycle into the world famous Côte-de-Nuits region. As you pedal along through old oak forests and past historical churches, stop for a break in one of the sleepy farm villages.
Challenge: 32km, 150m ascent, 180m descent
A short and varied ride through the Côte-de-Nuits. You'll pass small villages as Villers-la-Fay, vineyards, oak forests and marble quarries. A few challenging climbs take you to higher grounds with beautiful views. Famous villages along the way: Comblanchien, Nuits-St-Georges, VosneRomanée and Clos-de-Vougeot.
Challenge: 26m, 150m ascent, 180m descent
This bike ride leads you to 12th-century St. Philibert's church and past the 17th-century mansions of Couchey. And don't forget Brochon: to savour its 'vins estimés' and admire the castle where the late 19th-century poet Stephen Liégeard lived. Occasional short sections on roads with a bit more traffic, but for the most part you cycle along quiet country lanes today.
Challenge: 38m, 260m ascent, 260m descent
After breakfast your trip ends. A transfer possible (on request) takes you back to the first hotel or to the train station in Beaune.
All accommodations are carefully selected because of their location, atmosphere and/or unique services.
We choose comfortable 2*/3* hotels or B&Bs where all rooms have private en-suite bathroom and every morning breakfast are included.
For more comfort, when it's possible we can upgrade the hotels with 3*/4 * category (supplement applied).
6 Nights included
2/3 Star Hotels
Tourist tax included
Breakfast included, Halfboard optional on request
Maps and tourist information on all the places of interest
HYBRID RENTAL BIKE
SCOTT Sub Cross Men/Lady Alloy Frame, 24 Speed
The bikes come with pannier, handlebar bag, spare tube, tools, pump, helmet and lock
ELECTRIC BIKE RENTAL
Peugeot EC01 D10
The bikes come with pannier, handlebar bag, spare tube, tools, pump, helmet and lock
24/7 Bilingual Emergency hotline
Luggage transport to your next hotels
Parking informations on request
GPS tracks are available on request
The best airport of arrival is Paris, which is also served by several low cost carriers.
Also, possibility of arrival in Lyon airport
From Paris, you can take the TGV (high speed train) to Dijon (approx. 1h35). From Dijon, you take the local train (TER) to Beaune (approx. 18 min) where you can get to Meursault by taxi (approx. 20 min). For time tables and further information look at the website SNCF or TER-SNCF
At the end of your trip, you can take a local train from Gilly-les-Citeaux to Dijon, from where you can connect to Paris. For time tables and further information look at the website SNCF or TER-SNCF
From Paris to Meursault (approx. 4h - 350 km/217,5 mi). Acces to driving routes see the website ViaMichelin.