Burgundy Bike Tour

Your fantastic biking tour through Burgundy begins when we meet you on arrival in Dijon and transfer you via shuttle to our starting location. There, you will journey to a remote but utterly fantastic eatery for a light but delicious lunch less than twenty minutes from Gevrey-Chambertin. Based on the menu, you might try the restaurant’s specialty – ham slow roasted over an open flame, oeuf en meurette, or escargots de Bourgogne! Don’t forget to get your week off to a wonderful start with a toast. Our recommendation is a Kir, a traditional Burgundy aperitif consisting of dry white wine and Crème de Cassis.

After lunch, your leaders get you fitted to your bike before heading out on the first leg of your journey from the Ferme to our day’s destination. The route takes you through the woods at first and then transitions into a lovely downhill coast to the town of St. Marie-sur-Ouche. From there, you bike your way along the Burgundy Canal and the surrounding Ouche Valley until you reach the Abbaye de la Bussiere, a 12th century Cistercian abbey, surrounded by a park and beautiful lake, where you’ll be spending the next 2 nights.

Dinner is served at the hotel gourmet restaurant prepared by the renowned chef.

Today’s Ride: 16 miles with 400 feet of climbing

Our second day in lovely Burgundy opens to a light but delicious breakfast right before leaving the hotel to discover the neighbouring villages of Commarin and Chateauneuf en Auxois. Reach Chateauneuf, considered by many to be one of the most beautiful villages in all of France. It dates all the way back to the 12th century – 1132 to be exact – and includes fortifications dating back to the 100 Years War.

In the afternoon, you enjoy some more biking through the Auxois, a stunning area free of Burgundy vineyards, but characterised by rolling green countryside that provides the perfect afternoon experience.

After that, you return to your beautiful hotel, the Abbaye de la Bussiere. There, you have the opportunity of enjoying some quiet time in your room or exploring the spectacular gardens of the Abbaye. After some much needed downtime, you enjoy a sumptuous dinner at the brasserie of the hotel to mark the perfect end to a wonderful day.

Today’s Ride: 30 miles with 2,300 feet of climbing
Short Option: 18 miles with 1,400 feet of climbing
Long Option: 40 miles with 3,200 feet of climbing

Your third day in picturesque Burgundy begins with a brisk jaunt by bike to the nearby town of Savigny-les-Beaune. Savigny les Beaune is located just outside Beaune proper and marks your official entry into wine country.

Once you reach your destination, take the time to try the local food on your own before meeting with one of the very few cremant maker in Burgundy. Here you learn the ins and outs of the cremant making process, all the way from fermentation to bottling. Afterward, you are treated to an exclusive wine tasting of Burgundy in the cool cellars located just beneath the living room of the owner’s house.

Later in the afternoon arrive in Beaune, the heartbeat of the Burgundy wine trade, and checking into your hotel Le Cep right in the heart of the city. You’ll find that the theme of winemaking runs throughout the hotel, even extending to the room names, as each is named after a different local wine-producer.

Last but definitely not least, dinner is at a Michelin-starred restaurant featuring the cuisine of Bruno Monnoir, featuring stunning dishes that showcase the best of local seasonal ingredients.

Today’s Ride: 35 miles with 2,400 feet of climbing
Short Option: 22 miles with 1,300 feet of climbing
Long Option: 44 miles with 3,200 feet of climbing

This morning begins with a wonderful buffet in the hotel’s beautiful 16th century courtyard.

Then, get on your bike for a ride on the voie des vignes. The voie des vignes is an itinerary south of Beaune where you see a number of world-famous Burgundy villages. Then, you head head toward the Hautes Cotes de Beaune, a lovely area located along the ridge overlooking the area. On the way you get to see the quaint little village of St. Romain, famous for making the region’s best oak barrels before reaching the Chateau de la Rochepot, a 12th century fortress, restored by the Carnot family in the 19th century.

Later on, you bike your way through the Burgundy wine towns of Chassagne Montrachet and Puligny Montrachet famous for their light white wines. You then continue on to the village of Meursault before reaching an area of red wines Volnay, smooth red wine and Pommard, famous for its tannin-rich bouquet.

Once back at Beaune, you head for a tasting at one of the most famous wine Domaines in town, Patriarche. It is one of the top 10 wineries to visit in Burgundy where you are guaranteed to taste fine burgundy wines. Later, you have the option of either relaxing in your private quarters or strolling into town, before choosing from the many restaurants for dinner on your own.

Today’s Ride: 31 miles with 1,900 feet of climbing
Short Option: 19 miles with 1,500 feet of climbing
Long Option: 41 miles with 2,500 feet of climbing

Your final day in Burgundy starts with a self-guided visit of the 15th century Hospices de Beaune also known as the Hôtel Dieu. The Hospices de Beaune was founded in the 15th century and was used for a long time as a hospital. One of the most famous feature is the courtyard with its multicoloured tile roof.

Following the visit, head to the town of Nuits-Saint-George cycling on the route des Grands cru. Nuits-Saint Gerorges is another location famous for its wines and located north of Beaune.

Enjoy lunch on your own in Nuit St. Georges, the site of 2007’s traditional Burgundy la Saint-Vincent-Tournante festival.

In the afternoon, continue the ride and bike through the vineyards of the Romanee Conti along the way before ridding by the Chateau du Clos de Vougeot. The Clos de Vougeot name comes from the river Vouge. Built as a farm by the monks of the Citeaux abbey in the 12th century, it was then transformed as a Renaissance chateau in the 16th century before the Confrerie des Chevaliers du Tastevin purchased the chateau in 1945.

Later that day, taste some Premier Cru as well as Grand Cru wines. Wine classifications like Grand Cru are only assigned by the state after rigorous testing of the soil and various other factors, so this is quite the treat because grand cru wines only represent 3 % of the wine industry in Burgundy.

Dinner tonight is at a fantastic restaurant.

Today’s Ride: 28 miles with 1,900 feet of climbing
Short Option: 14 miles with 900 feet of climbing
Long Option: 39 miles with 2,600 feet of climbing

This morning, your tour of Burgundy by bike is coming to an end. Enjoy breakfast at La Rotisserie du Chambertin one last time before meeting up with your trip leaders. From here, a short drive to the train station of Beaune marks the end of the tour and of this unforgettable trip through the Burgundy wine region.