The small tour of Burgundy by bike

Discover the vineyards of Burgundy and cycle along the Saône

Highlights

Itineraries on the green and blue routes along the Saône
Chalon-sur-Saône: City of Art and History
Saint-Vincent Cathedral in Chalon-sur-Saône
The abbeys of Tournus and Cluny
The gastronomy of Burgundy
The Col de la Chèvre
La Roche du Solutré
The Beaujolais vineyards

Discovery of Burgundy's natural and gastronomic heritage

Departing from Chalon-sur-Saône, a bucolic and varied route awaits you to discover the South of Burgundy.

This cycling holiday, in the form of a cycle loop between the Saône and vineyards, delights you with its mosaic of landscapes. This exceptional & natural territory takes you on an adventure, through picturesque villages and cities of Art and History. Cluny is certainly one of the most interesting villages on the route. Discovering its superb abbey founded in the Middle Ages testifies to its rich heritage and its long history.

The first greenway in France!

This (almost) flat route makes your stay pleasant, suitable to wandering and exploring. Mostly on dedicated lanes, on greenways suited for cyclists, you sometimes cycle on the banks of the Saône, surrounded by green meadows, sometimes on the Chalonnaise coast and its vineyards. Between Cluny and Givry, the green track has been ideally designed for cyclists and bike travelers. Open to verdant and charming landscapes, this route takes you to emblematic places in southern Burgundy, accessible and pleasant to discover by bike.

Burgundy is a region full of taste, it abounds in local specialties. This stay allows you to taste the many local products such as: pain d’épices & nonnettes (gingerbread pastries), snails; who are only waiting to be tasted.

We also offer optional extensions of this stay in 7 or 8 days to complete your discovery and exploration of Burgundy and its vineyards.

Carte séjour Le petit tour de la Bourgogne à vélo
Niveau LeisureLeisure or Niveau FitFit
Day 1

CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE

Arrive on your own to Chalon-sur-Saône.

Meeting with our local guide

Before your first ride, we invite you to meet one of our guides, at your place of departure. A time of exchange, a privileged moment to give you our last practical tips, must-see places and experiences, to answer all your questions, take care of your bike fitting to begin your trip.

Day 2

From CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE to CLUNY 51km 200m Niveau Loisir

From Chalon-sur-Saône, you ride on one of the most beautiful greenways of the Tour de Bourgogne by bike. This stage follows the route of an old railway line which winds through the heart of the landscapes of the Chalonnaise coast towards Mâcon. You even ride on the first greenway in France between Buxy and Cluny. You also cross the vineyards of the Côte Chalonnaise before arriving in Cluny.

Day 3

From CLUNY to MACON 31km 180m Niveau Loisir

Leaving Cluny, a small hill awaits you. You leave the Chalonnaise coast and gain height towards the Bois Clair tunnel. This stage takes you over hilly passages to offer you a remarkable landscape made up of limestone rocks and vineyards.

On your arrival in Macon, discover the historic center of the city, whose warm colored facades and Roman tiled roofs suddenly remind us of the South.

  • For a few more km 44km 515m Niveau Forme

    This detour allows you to get as close as possible to the Roche de Solutré, an emblematic natural site of Saône-et-Loire.

Day 4

From MACON to TOURNUS, via La Voie Bleue 33km 65m Niveau Facile

Departing from Macon, take the Voie Bleue towards Tournus. Along the Saône you cross numerous villages and Romanesque churches. This peaceful stage offers a very little difference in elevation, you follow the towpath bordered by meadows and various cereal crops.

Cradled by the Saône river to the Fleurville bridge, the Saône takes you to Tournus, a town known for its Abbey and its gastronomy.

  • For a few more km 50km 236m Niveau Forme

    At Fleurville, you cross the Saône to reach the banks of the Pont-de-Vaux Canal. Via the small roads winding through the Burgundy countryside you will reach the Dunes de Charme Natural Area and the Truchère-Ratenelle nature reserve: pond, marshes, sand, forest… a complete change of scenery in complete peace.

Day 5

From TOURNUS to CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE 34km 59m Niveau Facile

You leave the town of Tournus and take the Voie Bleue. Different panoramas follow one another: alluvial plain, small roads. Through the environment of the Saône you will discover the diversity of the local flora and fauna.

Your arrival in Chalon-sur-Saône is via the Quais de Saône where you will meet pleasure sailors and strollers.

  • For a few more km 51km 209m Niveau Forme

    Before Gigny sur Saône, you leave the cycle track on the banks of the Saône for a diversion to discover Sennecey-le-Grand, the Lakes of Laives and the Château de la Ferté.

Day 6

CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE

End of stay after your breakfast. Have a safe journey home!

Essential Range

You want to enjoy your itinerary without anything fancy. Our ”essential” range offers a simple accommodation for a good night’s rest in a simple hotel, guesthouse, rest house or hostel.

Accommodation example
Chambre d'hôtes Couette et Tartine Hôtel Brit Hôtel macon Hôtel Saint-Philibert

Starting from 705€/participant in Self Guided option | See detailed prices

Comfort Range

Our quality standard at Abicyclette. This type of accommodation includes 2 and 3 stars hotels. Depending on the itinerary, you might spend some nights in approved guesthouses. You enjoy a double bedroom with private bathroom and toilet and adapted welcome for you and your bikes.

Accommodation example
Hôtel le Saint-Georges Hôtel Restaurant Le Potin Gourmand

Starting from 835€/participant in Self Guided option | See detailed prices

Privilege Range

Opt for total comfort in charming 3 and 4 star hotels which offer all the services you need and a special welcome for you and your bikes.

Accommodation example
Hôtel Restaurant Le Saint-Régis Hôtel Restaurant Le Potin Gourmand Hôtel Restaurant Aux Terrasses

Starting from 995€/participant in Self Guided option | See detailed prices

Price includes

  • Accommodation: 5 nights in a Double room
  • 5 breakfasts
  • Luggage transfer
  • Phone assistance 24/7
  • Access to our exclusive travel application to follow your route, inform you about places of interest, restaurants, facilitate your assistance in case of emergency, find all your travel documents and our practical advice.
  • Application fee
  • Taxes
  • The trip itineraries available on the following supports:
    • Loan of a Bicycle GPS uploaded with full itinerary of the trip
    • Cycling practical guide including topo maps, restaurant recommendations for lunch & dinner
  • Additional services included:
    • Day 1 : A personalized greeting with our team at the beginning of the trip to receive your travel documents
  • Price does not include

    • bike rental (see option)
    • Breakfast on day 1
    • Lunches
    • Dinners not included in "Price includes"
    • Drinks, visits & other personal expenses

    “Homemade” tours created and tested for you: :
    • Routes chosen  by the Abicyclette Voyages team for their touristic and cycling interest, fully tested, safe from traffic
    • Accommodations have been visited beforehand and are proposed for the quality of their reception, atmosphere, services and gastronomy
    • Great flexibility for the organization of your tour which adapts to your needs and your desires: you leave on the date you wish! We check the availability of accommodations and to ensure your departure.

    An assistance close at hand :
    • 7/7 assistance from the Abicyclette Voyages team
    • Orientation by phone at the departure of your tour
    • The possibility of subscribing to a cancellation & multi-risk insurance covering you in case of  problems or mishaps

    Modern and efficient route tracking:

    • We provide a GPS to follow the route without ever having to look for directions (bike mount provided)
    • A logbook to find all useful addresses and tourist information

     

     


    High-end bike rental for true comfort and riding pleasure, with the reliability needed for a long bike trip

    We offer a high-end bike rental service. Our bikes are suited for road and gravel road long-distance cycling. Fully equipped and highly reliable, they are faithful travel companions.


    Ebike

    Aluminum frame
    Shimano 9 speed
    Bosch Active Plus 250W motor, 400W battery
    Disc brakes

    Supplied equipment per bike

    • 1 rear bag
    • 1 front bag
    • 1 repair kit
    • 1 pump
    • 1 anti-theft device per couple
    • 1 helmet
    vélo éléctrique activie tours

    Touring bike

    Aluminum frame
    Shimano 24 speed
    Disc brakes

    Supplied equipment per bike

    • 1 rear bag
    • 1 front bag
    • 1 repair kit
    • 1 pump
    • 1 anti-theft device (for 2 bikes)
    • 1 helmet
    vélo randonnée active tours

    Children's Bike

    Supplied equipment per bike

    • 1 child helmet
    vélo enfant active tours

    Child trailer

    remoque enfant active tours

    Getting here

    Departure city : CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE

    Coming by car

    • at 3h30 from PARIS
    • at 6h from BORDEAUX
    • at 1h30 from LYON

    Parking*

    • Parking privé – Chambre d’hôtes Couette et Tartine
    • Parking Hôtel de Ville – CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE

    Coming by train

    • Chalon-sur-Saône train station - 3h from Paris

    Coming by plane

    • Lyon Saint Exupéry airport
    • Geneva Airport
    • Bâle airport

    Arrival city : CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE

    Coming by car

    • at 3h30 from PARIS
    • at 6h from BORDEAUX
    • at 1h30 from LYON

    Coming by train

    • Chalon-sur-Saône train station - 3h from Paris

    Coming by plane

    • Lyon Saint Exupéry airport
    • Geneva Airport
    • Bâle airport

    *Parking: Since many of our clients travel by train or plane, we do not include parking in our packages. In addition, many accommodations don’t have the capacity to park a vehicle for the duration of your cycling vacation. So if you’re planning to arrive by car, we suggest you check parking options when you make your reservation. If you reserve a parking space at the first or last accommodation of your stay, you must pay the accommodation provider on site.

    * Abicyclette Voyages accompanies you on demand, including transportation solutions.

    Recommended equipment

    Bike

    • Hybrid Bike or Touring Bike or Gravel Bike
    • 18 to 30-speed transmission
    • 26- to 29-inch wheels
    • Tires: 35 to 42 section, reinforced against punctures
    • Disc brakes recommended
    • 2 bottle cages
    • Bell
    • Front and rear lighting

    Clothing and equipment

    • Helmet (supplied with bike rental unless otherwise specified locally)
    • 1 bike mount for smartphone to use the mobile route planner application
    • Suitable cycling clothing:
      • bib, shorts or tights: elastic and breathable, to facilitate movement and wick away perspiration
      • Breathable T-shirts, synthetic or merino wool
      • Breathable windbreaker
    • Thermal or fleece jacket
    • Waterproof jacket
    • 1 pair of sunglasses
    • 1 pair of cycling shoes
    • 1 backpack or 1 or 2 carrier bags
    • 1 or 2 water bottles (supplied with bike rental in France)
    • 1 lock (supplied with bike rental)
    • Technical details, recommended by the team for optimum comfort:
      • 1 pair of gloves or mittens, depending on season and destination
      • Padded bib (chamois)
      • High-visibility vest or fluorescent belt
      • Neck warmer and cap

    Bike maintenance

    • Emergency repair kit: 2 or 3 inner tubes, patches, pump, tire levers, multi-tools
    • Maintenance kit: rag, oil, brake pads

    Other

    • A suitcase for your belongings carried in the vehicle (limited to one per person)
    • Street clothes
    • 1 pair of evening shoes
    • Fleece jacket for the evening
    • Toiletry bag
    • Telephone and charger

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