Cycling In France >> Burgundy Wine Lands (7 nights)

Fine wine, gastronomy and rich historical heritage of south Burgundy

	Cycle amongst famous vineyards with sampling opportunities
	Historical and architectural treasures of the historic Kingdom of Burgundy
	Gently rolling landscapes, with sleepy villages, rivers and canals
	Half board option
	Easy access by rail from Paris to Dijon

The area of Burgundy between Dijon and Mâcon has one of the world’s greatest concentrations of fine wine names : Nuits-Saint-Georges, Gevrey-Chambertin, Pommard, Puligny-Montrachet are just a few of the famous names signifying the excellence of  Burgundy wine. South Burgundy lends itself well to exploration by bicycle. Roads between the many villages engaged in wine production are quiet and there are plenty of places to stop and enjoy the relaxed lifestyle of the region, not to mention the wine! There are regular reminders of the rich history of Burgundy – stately castles, magnificent Romanesque churches, and remarkable traditional architecture.

This holiday starts in Dijon, which is just 1 hour 40 mins from Paris thanks to the super fast TGV trains. Dijon is regarded as the ‘capital’ of Burgundy ; it is an attractive city with a medieval quarter with streets lined with half-timbered houses and characteristic multi-coloured roofs. On leaving Dijon you head south to Nuits-Saint-Georges for an included wine tasting and then stay in Beaune, the ‘wine capital’ with its famous Hôtel Dieu, an ancient hospital and a 15th century masterpiece of Gothic architecture.

Your exploration of the Burgundy wine lands takes you south from the Côte d’Or into the Côte Chalonnaise and then the Mâconnais as far south as Cluny and Tournus. From here you retrace your steps to Dijon with the River Saône as your guide and then the Canal du Centre to Beaune, from where you return to Dijon by train.

An excellent opportunity to cycle round the famous names of Burgundy wine and to appreciate the wonderful heritage of this fine region.

Terrain & Distances
The route is undulating with some hills but there are also long stretches on flat terrain.

Cycling distances:
15-39 miles / 24-63 km

Climate
Temperatures average between 12°C in April and October and 20°C in July and August. Rainfall averages 2” per month between April and October with August being the driest month.