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Holidays

Self-Guided Cycling in Burgundy

France
Available Departures: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov

6 days from

US$1,850

without flights
Cycle
Self-Guided
LEISURELY LEISURELY

Explore the wine region of Burgundy on two wheels through Dijon, Beaune and Chalon sur Saone on this self-guided holiday

Trip Code: SGBU
Holiday Grades

Our Holiday Grades Explained

To show the relative difficulty of our holidays, each trip is graded on a scale of 1 to 12, with 12 being the most challenging. Although we have tried to make our grading system as clear as possible, it cannot take into account your personal interests, abilities or experience. If you have any questions about the nature of a particular trip or its suitability for you, please read the 'Is this holiday for you?' section or contact us.

 1 - 3 LEISURELY
1 - 3 LEISURELY

Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity.

View leisurely holidays
4 - 6 MODERATE
4 - 6 MODERATE

Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers and cyclists. There can be the occasional more difficult day.

View moderate holidays
7 - 9 CHALLENGING
7 - 9 CHALLENGING

Physically challenging holidays, where you need to be prepared before you go.

View challenging holidays
10 - 12 TOUGH
10 - 12 TOUGH

Our toughest holidays, involving many long days, often in isolated areas. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness and mountain experience is essential.

View Tough holidays

Self-Guided Cycling in Burgundy

Highlights
  • Discover the charm of medieval Dijon the ancient capital of Burgundy
  • Cycle along peaceful canals and through precious vineyards
  • Explore Hospices de Beaune, home to the world's most famed wine auction
  • Soak in the atmosphere of vibrant Chalon sur Saone where life is lived on the bustling streets

At a Glance
  • Self-Guided
  • Bike hire included
  • 4 days cycling
  • Chateau visits & wine tastings
  • Daily departures available
  • GPS Travel App
  • Join In Dijon / Ends in Chalon sur Saone

Accommodation & Meals
  • 5 Breakfasts
  • 5 nights Hotel
Overview

The Burgundy region is renowned worldwide for one key product: its wines, reputedly among the best in the world. Here the locals are passionate about all things wine whether they are producing it, selling it, or enjoying a glass with friends round the dining table. On this one week holiday you will delve into the rich history of the region as well as its strong wine culture; cycling through the rolling vineyards to visit picturesque villages and dramatic chateau. Your routes will average 50km per day taking you through the vineyard region from Dijon to Chalon sur Saone with plenty of time to stop and enjoy the sights along the way.



You will stay in a hand-picked selection of historic hotels in Dijon, Beaune and Chalon sur Saone, each chosen for their character and warm hospitality. The food in this region is rich and delicious and we have designed this trip on a bed and breakfast basis with this in mind, allowing you the freedom to dine in the many fantastic restaurants and enjoy specialities from boeuf bourguignon to jambon persille.

 

Is this holiday for you?

This holiday is perfect for wine lovers, foodies and leisure cyclists alike. Cycling between 45-55 km per day on cycle paths, quiet lanes and greenways you will have plenty of time to stop off and enjoy the many sights and vineyards along the way. Even better is that on this trip you will spend 2 nights at each hotel in Beaune and Chalon sur Saone with alternate circular and linear routes each day …

This holiday is perfect for wine lovers, foodies and leisure cyclists alike. Cycling between 45-55 km per day on cycle paths, quiet lanes and greenways you will have plenty of time to stop off and enjoy the many sights and vineyards along the way. Even better is that on this trip you will spend 2 nights at each hotel in Beaune and Chalon sur Saone with alternate circular and linear routes each day meaning you can easily opt to have a day off your bike to explore on foot or relax at your hotel, making an ideal introduction to cycling holidays. After all this is your holiday!

Why KE?

On this trip we have combined Burgundy’s magnificent culture and history with cycling through spectacular scenery, and even included plenty of opportunity to sample the region's delights along the way.


We have included 2 wine tastings and entry to three fantastic attractions as well as your bike hire so you can relax and enjoy your holiday. Plus e-bikes are available.

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Itinerary

Arrive in the fantastic city of Dijon and depending on your time of arrival you may wish to explore the many sights. The city is full of historic charm from its medieval core where the streets are lined with beautiful timber framed houses and glazed tile roofs, to the elegant Palace of the Dukes. When you have finished exploring the city itself, the Cours du Parc, which dates back to 1671, makes for the perfect spot to relax and watch the world go by. To help ensure you don't miss any of the sights there is even a local trail known as 'The Owl's Trail' to help in showing you around, which is great if you are travelling with children or simply enjoy a bit of fun.

THE OWL TRAIL: The trail has been set up by the local tourist office and is a fun trail lasting approx. 1-2hours to showcase the history of the city and its buildings. Simply purchase the map from the tourist information (from €4, payable locally) and follow the route marked by 22 owls, each located on a point of interest around the city.

Accommodation

Hotel

Your route today will take you through the celebrated red wine vineyards of Burgundy as you cycle through the Cote de Nuits scattered with quaint villages and chateaux. Following a cycle path you will pass through the wine producing villages of Gevery- Chambertin and Vosne- Romanee, before reaching the spectacular chateau Clos de Vougeot. Standing amongst the backdrop of vineyards Chateau Clos de Vougeot once used by the Monks of the nearby Abbey of Citeaux to produce wine in the 12th Century. Today the chateau no longer produces wine but welcomes visitors to delve into the history of this fantastic place and discover the history of the wine production. We have included a visit to this fantastic chateau to explore yourself before pedalling on through Nuits Saint George to arrive at your final goal of the day Beaune, one of France's pettiest walled towns and is steeped in history.

Protected by the city walls and old ramparts Beaune is literally built on the wine trade, with a labyrinth of wine cellars running beneath the city's streets. The town is at the heart of wine trading in Burgundy and the beautiful Hospices de Beaune is a sight not to be missed; crowned in delicately arranged glazed roof tiles it is known throughout the world for its famous wine auction held each year. You will have time to explore before enjoying a spot of dinner in one of the city's many delicious restaurants.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B

Distance

50 KM

This morning you will have time to explore Beaune a little further and enjoy a visit to the Edmond Fallot Mustard Museum. The factory is the final independently run family mill in Burgundy and the interactive museum shows you the history of Dijon mustard and provides a tasting too. After your visit you hop on your bike to get off the beaten track and explore the scenery of Cote de Beaune. Your route will take you along quiet country roads uphill through the vineyards to chateau de La Rochepot. This distinct 12th century chateau has become a symbol of Burgundy thanks to its longstanding history. After being reduced to ruins like many chateaus in the region after the French Revolution, La Rochepot was restored in the late 19th century to its former glory. It is the unique and elegant facade of the castle sat amongst the trees and glorious history which has given the chateau such prominence in the region. You will have time to explore the castle and perhaps enjoy a spot of lunch in the cafe before returning to Beaune via Nolay.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B

Distance

56 KM

Today your route will follow one of France's greenway routes through the midst of the Cote de Beaune wine villages of Pommard, Meursault and Montrachet. This section of Burgundy is known for its great white wines however, the first of the villages you will pass through, Pommard is an exception; producing wines made exclusively from Pinot Noir. It's elegant 18th century Chateau de Pommard sits proudly within the largest vineyard in Burgundy making for an impressive sight as you pedal on your way. You will have time to explore the villages and a visit to the vineyard of chateau de Chassagne Montrachet for a wine tasting before hopping back on your bike to cycle along the tranquil Canal du Centre to Chalon sur Saone, your home for the following two evenings. Life in Chalon sur Saone is lived out on the streets and you will be sure to find a great little restaurant to dine al fresco while soaking up the atmosphere of this vibrant town.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B

Distance

47 KM

This morning you will have time to explore the bustling town of Chalon sur Saone. It is here where Nicephore Niepce was born, inventor of photography. You may wish to pay a visit to the Nicephore Niepce museum which honours his life work before heading off on your bike ride for the day. Your route will take you through the pretty village of Rully and the medieval chateau de Rully, one of the few chateaux to remain within the same family throughout its history. Passing through the rolling green landscape you will soon reach the precious town of Mercurey. The town produces some of the most important wines in Burgundy with 30 premier cru vineyards. You will have the opportunity to visit a winery in Mercurey for a tour and to enjoy a wine tasting of the region's Cote Chalonnaise before returning to Chalon sur Saone to enjoy your final evening in this fantastic part of France.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B

Distance

48 KM

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and a final stroll around the village before making your onward journey.

If you would prefer to stay a little longer to really soak up the atmosphere of this fantastic region, then please speak to our sales team who can assist in arranging additional nights accommodation for you.

Meals

B
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The Route
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Essential Information

We've compiled some of our Frequently Asked Questions to help you learn more about this amazing trip.

  • All accommodation as described

  • Meals as described in the Meal Plan

  • 24-gear Bike Hire

  • Self-Guided Travel App

  • Self-guided information pack containing your tour booklet and travel documents

  • Visit to chateau du Clos de Vougeot

  • Visit to Hospices de Beaune

  • Visit to Edmond Fallot Mustard factory

  • Visit to chateau de Chassagne-Montrachet (visit and wine tasting)

  • Visit to a winery in Mercurey with wine tasting

  • Luggage transfers

  • City taxes

  • Travel insurance
  • Travel to Dijon
  • Travel from Chalon-sur-Saone
  • Visas (if applicable)
  • Tourist Taxes may apply and are usually under 5 Euros per person per night
  • Some meals as described in the Meal Plan
  • Personal equipment
  • Any additional activities/excursions indicated as optional

This holiday is led by a self-guided app, which contains the personalised details of your complete holiday itinerary. This includes the GPS-led routes for you to follow on your self-guided cycling and walking tours, as well as attractions, coffee stops and points of interest in the towns and cities along the way. The app does not need to have Wi-Fi connection to work, you simply follow the instructions we provide you to download the app to your phone before you leave home and you are ready to go.

Each mobile comes with a different expected battery life so we suggest you pack a spare battery pack with you just in case you require it.

You can expect to receive your Self-Guided Pack containing your tour booklet and all your relevant holiday documents no later than 3 weeks before your holiday start date. We will send your documents using signed for courier so that you can track your package and know that they are safely on their way to you. Should your self-guided trip be part of a longer adventure requiring you to leave home more than three weeks before your holiday start date, please do inform our sales team so that we can make alternative delivery arrangements.

Our Self-Guided Holidays are perfect for your next family holiday and are suitable for children of all ages.

Our partner hotels and accommodations are able to provide cots for young children, and some offer family rooms. We can also arrange hire of children’s bikes and tag along bikes for our self-guided cycling trips and with trips such as Lake Constance and the Danube offering routes on designated cycle paths you can rest assured in keeping your family safe.

As a parent we trust that you know your own child’s capabilities, please read the itinerary details to ensure the distances covered each day are suitable for your family. If this is a first time walking holiday for your family, a centre based trip is a fantastic option as it allows you to easily opt out of a days walking if a day of building sand castles, swimming in the pool or visiting museums is calling.

Please discuss this further with our sales team who will be happy to assist in picking the best trip for your family.

This trip starts at your accommodation in Dijon. All of our self-guided holidays are sold on a land only basis allowing you the flexibility to choose the travel method which best suits you. The nearest airport for this trip is Lyon Airport, however Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport offers many more options from regional UK airports.

If you are flying into Lyon Airport you can travel via train to Dijon. The train takes approx. 3-4 hours in total. For more information please visit www.sncf.com

If you are flying into Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport you can take the train direct to Dijon. The journey takes approximately 1-2 hours in total on the high speed train or 3 hours on the local trains. For more information please visit www.sncf.com

Your trip ends in Chalon-sur-Saone from where you can take the train to either Lyon Airport or Paris CDG Airport.

This trip is on a bed and breakfast basis to allow you the most flexibility during your holiday.

Water is drinkable from the taps on this holiday. Please fill your personal bottles for your day in the morning. We do not encourage the purchasing of single use plastic bottles.

French cuisine is ingrained in French culture and is one of the country’s greatest contributions to the world. It is filled with passion; a celebration of the rich natural flavours of basic ingredients, to be enjoyed with one of the country’s fine wines. Meal times are leisurely, a time to be enjoyed with good company and are an experience to be savoured.

Cuisine in Burgundy is perhaps some of the richest in France thanks largely to the fantastic wines which form the base of many sauces, and the Charolais cattle, one of the world’s finest beef cattle which are farmed in the region. With this in mind you are likely to see dishes such as boeuf bouguignon served in almost every restaurant along with other popular dishes such as Snails in white wine and shallots, or jambon persille.

Along your route you will find many appealing cafes for lunch, or you may be swayed by the delicious scents of the local boulangerie to enjoy a picnic of fresh bread and delicious local goat’s cheeses- they are superb in this part of France. Needless to say cycling in the Burgundy is not just a journey but a treat for your taste buds!

Whilst we can cater for vegetarians, albeit sometimes with a more limited choice, we cannot always provide special diets.  Due to the nature of some of the trips that we operate and the countries in which we operate them, it can be very hard (and sometimes impossible) to cater for a wide range of dietary choices and you may have to supplement your diet with food/snacks from home.  If you have specific dietary requirements please do speak to our sales team and they will be able to advise you whether or not we will be able to offer your specific choice.  Please note that we are unable to provide separate menus and cannot accept liability for any problems arising from special dietary requirements or intolerances.

This trip has been designed with tradition in mind. You will stay in a selection of 3* & 4* hotels each chosen for their warm hospitality, fantastic locations and clever mix of modern amenities and French style, enhancing the features of the traditional buildings, rich in the history of the area. All hotels offer complimentary wifi.

All of the hotels offer a typically French continental breakfast of delicious fresh breads and pastries served with your morning coffee. Some hotels also offer additional hot items.

It is possible to arrange additional nights accommodation if you would like to extend your time in Dijon or Chalon-sur-Saone. Please speak to one of our sales team for further information.

Bikes come with 24 gears and come equipped with a pannier and a front saddlebag for your daily essentials plus a milomoter, a bike lock, pump and repair kit. We strongly recommend you bring your own helmet with you for the best comfort.

We also recommend packing a gel seat for extra comfort or a pair of padded cycling shorts, whilst the cycling is leisurely and there are plenty of opportunities to stop and explore it is always nice to have some padding for a comfortable ride.

E-bikes are also available at an additional supplement of £ 225. We are also able to arrange children’s bikes, trailers and child seats. Please ask our sales team for details.

Your main luggage will be transferred between each of your hotels while you are out on your bike. We ask that you please ensure your luggage is limited to one piece under 20kg and that your luggage is ready for collection each morning.

Europe

Your passport must meet 2 requirements. It must be:

  • less than 10 years old on the day you enter (check the ‘date of issue’)

  • valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)

For the latest details on visiting countries within the EU or the European Economic Area (EEA), please check the UK Government website

The information that we provide is for UK passport holders. A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required, and you should have at least 2 blank pages for each country that you visit.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Please ensure that you check for the latest advice before travel. For the most up to date information on entry requirements, please visit the UK Government website.

Vaccinations

You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you require any specific vaccinations.

GHIC / Medical cover

UK residents should carry a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment when you're visiting an EU country or Switzerland. This is not a substitute for medical travel insurance which is vital when travelling overseas.

Severe Allergies

Please inform our KE Sales and support team of any severe allergies you may have before travel. We will always do our best to help but we are unable to guarantee an allergy free environment on our KE trips. We advise that you always carry your own treatment for the allergy with you such as 'adrenaline auto-injectors' if required.  We also recommend that you discuss this with your accommodation on arrival so that they can better assist you.

The advantage of a self-guided cycling holiday is that you decide the pace. This trip is designed for leisure cyclists and does not require you to be in peak fitness. Having said this it is always sensible to get some additional exercise before going on an active holiday. You should be comfortable with cycling 45-55 km a day on easy cycle paths or quiet roads and we advise you to dust off your bike and head out on a few rides before your holiday.

Burgundy has an oceanic climate with semi-continental tendencies which not only makes for fantastic conditions for growing the all-important vines in the region but cold winter months, often with snow; and hot summers with temperatures reaching above 25 degrees. The hot summers can also bring the occasional welcomed thunderstorm to help cool off the summer heat.

As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's ‘Travel Aware’ campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas. The 'Travel Aware' website provides a single, authoritative source of advice for all kinds of travellers and we recommend that prior to travel, all KE clients visit the official UK Government website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and read the FCDO Travel Advice for their chosen destination. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: www.travel.state.gov for essential travel advice and tips.

KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe.  Should the FCDO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation.  We receive regular updates direct from the FCDO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground.  If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office.

KE do not encourage the use of single use plastic items. We are ensuring that our agents all over the world are working together to reduce the problem and educate those around them. We are leading by example in our KE office by reducing our plastic use.

It is an essential condition of joining a holiday with KE Adventure Travel that you have a valid travel insurance policy to cover the cost of medical treatment and to protect the value of your holiday in the event of cancellation.  When taking out insurance please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary.

For appropriate insurance cover we recommend Campbell Irvine Direct.  Please go to our Travel Insurance page for further information and to get a quote.

  • Cycling shorts

  • Cycle helmet

  • Functional base layer

  • T-shirts

  • Scarf

  • Hat

  • Windproof jacket

  • Fleece / extra layer

  • Rain protection

  • Rucksack (approx. 20 l)

  • Small first aid kit for your rucksack

  • Sunscreen

  • Water bottle or hydration pack

  • Camera (batteries/memory card)

  • Mobile Phone (ensure your data package covers your destination)

  • Power bank

  • Waterproof phone cover

  • Sun glasses

  • Personal wash kit

  • Reusable cloth bag for shopping to avoid the use of plastic bags

  • Tupperware for picnics

Cotswold Outdoor Red PantonMany of the Equipment items listed above are available from Cotswold Outdoor - our 'Official Recommended Outdoor Retailer'. When you book a holiday with KE you will receive 12.5% discount voucher from Cotswold Outdoor and other retailers.
>> Find out more

DATES & PRICES

2024

Dates

Adults from

Deposit

More Information

Land Only Information

Please note our 'from price' listed is based on 4 persons on twin or double occupancy, however we can quote for any number of travellers, including solo travellers, contact our sales team for a quote.

All of our self-guided holidays are sold on a Land Only basis allowing you the flexibility to choose the travel method which best suits you. You may even wish to make this holiday part of a bigger adventure or pair it with one of our other holidays. We can arrange additional nights accommodation before or after your self-guided trip, ask our sales team to find out more about this.

Our sales team will be happy to provide you a quote for scheduled flights or alternatively you may wish to book your own flights with a low cost carrier from your nearest regional airport.

Please DO NOT book your flights before you have received your booking confirmation and your deposit has been taken.

We offer some transfers to your hotel from the nearest airports, please speak to our sales team for more information.

ZEN_HOLIDAY_DATES_PRICES_LAND_ONLY_USD_NOTICE


Changes to flights

Please be aware that the flight industry is experiencing a high level of service fluctuation and changes to your flights may occur. This may also require amends to the transfers and joining arrangements. Thank you all for continuing your patience and understanding.

BOOK WITH KE CONFIDENCE - No surcharge guarantee

The price of our holidays can change depending on a variety of factors but unlike some other tour operators, KE have undertaken to guarantee the Land Only price of your holiday will not change after you have booked. The price when you book is the price you will pay, whether you are booking for this year or the next. Book early to avoid any tour price increases, get the best flight prices and take advantage of our 'No Surcharge Guarantee'.

KE Adventure is a fully bonded tour operator. We hold an ATOL license (No: 2808) and are bonded with ABTA (Membership No: W4341)


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