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France: Burgundy

Classic Burgundy Cycling

Trip code: C04CB

Average customer rating 4.0 / 5(1 verified reviews)

Self-Guided Cycling
4 nights hotel-to-hotel
Steady
Flights available
CO₂ rating 1/5
Agent supplied app

Trip highlights

Exceptionally relaxed, varied cycling: peaceful riverside trails, country lanes and canal paths,

Excellent hotels, full of atmosphere

Taste world-famous wines in Chablis and the surrounding area

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Trip details

Burgundy is noted as a place of artistic and historical interest, famous for its Romanesque heritage and architecturally interesting towns and villages. It’s famous too for its exceptional wines and delicious food, and is often described as ‘the land of great art and good living’.

What's included

Included

  • 4 nights in 3-star accommodation
  • All breakfasts and 1 evening meals
  • Bike fitting and briefing at the start of your holiday
  • Navigation app
  • Bike hire included
  • Luggage transfers between hotels

Not included

  • Flights
  • Travel insurance

Your bike

Hand-picked for the route, hire included

Scott, Sub Sport 30 or equivalent. Your bike hire is included in the price of your holiday and comes equipped with the relevant essentials, plus rear pannier.

Your bike

Travel options

Flights and rail

Our air-rail prices include standard flights, onward rail and station transfers.

Eurostar

We can book connecting Eurostar services from London and Ashford if you prefer not to fly.

Itinerary

Route map, with each night's stop marked
The full route, night by night. Select the map to view it full screen.

Day 1 · —Arrival in Auxerre

Arrival in Auxerre

This is one of France’s prettiest medieval cities, on the banks of the River Yonne, and your base for tonight. Here you’ll find two Gothic churches: the Cathedral of St-Etienne (13th and 16th century with magnificent stained glass windows) and the Abbey of St-Germain (13th & 14th century with 19th century crypt). There’s time to explore the medieval lanes and pretty port before dinner in town with plenty of choice of restaurants within a couple of minutes’ walk of your hotel.

You stay at Hotel Normandie

Hotel Normandie, Auxerre
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Hotel Normandie

Auxerre

  • Air conditioning
  • American Express
  • Hairdryers
  • Mastercard
  • Safe
  • Shops
  • Tea & coffee
  • Television
  • Wifi access

This hotel was originally a maison bourgeoise until it was converted into a hotel by an ex-patissier! It has now been in Mme Ramise’s family for over 45 years.

The hotel only provides breakfast, although a la carte room service is possible (very reasonably priced and a good selection of hot and cold dishes). However, it’s fun to explore the lovely town of Auxerre and there are plenty of good restaurants in all price ranges within 5-15 minutes walk.

There’s a public swimming pool in the town and a sauna at the hotel (approx 7€). There is a secure closed garage behind the hotel (5€ per day) or free parking in front (ask at reception).

Day 2 · 37km/23.0miAuxerre to Chablis

Auxerre to Chablis

Take the path along the River Yonne, out of Auxerre, to the spectacular 12th century Abbey at Pontigny, founded in 1114 as a Cistercian monastery. Among those buried at the abbey are Adele of Champagne (queen of Louis VII of France) and Saint Edmund of Abingdon (Archbishop of Canterbury from 1234-1240 who was later canonised following alleged miracles at his grave!). Continue on along the River Serein and through La Chapelle Vaupelteigne to Chablis.

Elevation

Auxerre to Chablis elevation profile

You stay at Hostellerie des Clos

HOSTELLERIE DES CLOS, CHABLIS (4 STAR)
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Hostellerie des Clos

Chablis

  • Air conditioning
  • American Express
  • Hairdryers
  • Mastercard
  • Minibar
  • Safe
  • Shops
  • Television
  • Wifi access

The Hostellerie des Clos is a family run hotel in the heart of Chablis. The hotel is set in beautiful gardens, with terrace for breakfast or pre-dinner drinks. There is a cosy lounge and all the rooms are individually decorated across two buildings.

Day 3 · 43km/26.7miAt Chablis

At Chablis

Explore the town of Chablis, which gives its name to the world-famous wine. Enjoy wine-tastings galore in local caves with the seven Grand Cru vineyards of Les Preuses, Vaudesir, Grenouilles, Valmur, Les Clos, Bourgros and Blanchots all sitting on a single south-west facing slope just to the north and overlooking the town.

Alternatively, pedal, from Chablis, along the beautiful River Serein valley, discovering pretty towns and villages, including Chichee, Viviers, Tonnerre along the way. Enjoy rolling countryside as you cycle from one town to the next and enjoy a picnic by the Burgundy canal in Tonnerre. Later on, do not miss Hotel Dieu medieval hospital complex (the Hotel-Dieu) constructed at the end of the 13th century and at that time one of the largest hospitals in France.

Elevation

At Chablis elevation profile

You stay at Hostellerie des Clos

HOSTELLERIE DES CLOS, CHABLIS (4 STAR)
Image 1 of 4

Hostellerie des Clos

Chablis

  • Air conditioning
  • American Express
  • Hairdryers
  • Mastercard
  • Minibar
  • Safe
  • Shops
  • Television
  • Wifi access

The Hostellerie des Clos is a family run hotel in the heart of Chablis. The hotel is set in beautiful gardens, with terrace for breakfast or pre-dinner drinks. There is a cosy lounge and all the rooms are individually decorated across two buildings.

Day 4 · 39km/24.2miChablis to Auxerre

Chablis to Auxerre

You will cycle through picturesque villages and on small country roads with magnificent views and rolling landscapes.
Passage through Irancy vineyards with the possibility of a visit to a major producer of ‘Crémant’ (sparkling wine), with impressive cellars installed in old quarries. Then continue along the Yonne Valley and the Nivernais Canal.

Elevation

Chablis to Auxerre elevation profile

You stay at Hotel Normandie

Hotel Normandie, Auxerre
Image 1 of 4

Hotel Normandie

Auxerre

  • Air conditioning
  • American Express
  • Hairdryers
  • Mastercard
  • Safe
  • Shops
  • Tea & coffee
  • Television
  • Wifi access

This hotel was originally a maison bourgeoise until it was converted into a hotel by an ex-patissier! It has now been in Mme Ramise’s family for over 45 years.

The hotel only provides breakfast, although a la carte room service is possible (very reasonably priced and a good selection of hot and cold dishes). However, it’s fun to explore the lovely town of Auxerre and there are plenty of good restaurants in all price ranges within 5-15 minutes walk.

There’s a public swimming pool in the town and a sauna at the hotel (approx 7€). There is a secure closed garage behind the hotel (5€ per day) or free parking in front (ask at reception).

Day 5 · —Leave Auxerre

Leave Auxerre

Extending your holiday

Hotel Normandie, Auxerre
Image 1 of 4

Hotel Normandie

Auxerre

  • Air conditioning
  • American Express
  • Hairdryers
  • Mastercard
  • Safe
  • Shops
  • Tea & coffee
  • Television
  • Wifi access

This hotel was originally a maison bourgeoise until it was converted into a hotel by an ex-patissier! It has now been in Mme Ramise’s family for over 45 years.

The hotel only provides breakfast, although a la carte room service is possible (very reasonably priced and a good selection of hot and cold dishes). However, it’s fun to explore the lovely town of Auxerre and there are plenty of good restaurants in all price ranges within 5-15 minutes walk.

There’s a public swimming pool in the town and a sauna at the hotel (approx 7€). There is a secure closed garage behind the hotel (5€ per day) or free parking in front (ask at reception).

What our travellers say

A very enjoyable short break cycling in France in a region easily accessible by train from Paris. The routes were rather hillier than we were expecting from the description but easily managed given the relatively short distances and afforded some fine views, especially on the final day. Auxerre and Chablis are both lovely and there was plenty of time to explore them both. They both have some excellent restaurants but these get booked up especially at weekends so you would do well to book for any that you fancy trying in advance of this trip.

LAING
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Positive impact

Carbon score for this trip

11.0

Kg CO₂e

per person, per night

Relative to other Headwater trips

We measure emissions from the parts of the holiday we organise — including accommodation, in-trip transport, meals and activities — and express them as CO₂e per person, per night. Our label doesn’t include your travel to and from the start of the trip. As a Certified B Corp, Headwater is committed to reducing this figure and to positively impacting local communities, the local environment and our staff. Learn more

From£869per person