Backroad cycling France

Prestigious vineyards and the Canal du Centre on this tour of beautiful BurgundyRef CN36

The heart of one of the richest areas in France hides a myriad of quiet country lanes and pleasant cycle tracks that weave their way through vineyards and rolling hills. A great area for discovery, relaxation and laid back cycling… Beginning in Beaune, and depending on your trip duration, we discover the best portions of the Canal du Centre (which connects the Saone to the Loire), the prestigious vineyards of the Nuits-Saint-Georges (Vosne Romanée, Vougeot, Gevrey Chambertin, Chambolle Musigny…), and the “Voie des Vignes” that leads to Santenay (the home of great wines such as Pommard, Volnay, Meursault, Chassagne Montrachet). Our Burgundy trips have a strong gastronomical theme with visits of vineyards and wine cellars, selected restaurants, wine and food tastings throughout the tours.

Guided tour: from 1425€ - Details Duration : 6 days | Level : Customer satisfaction :
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+33 458 140 435 A dedicated team of travel specialists is available to offer you expert advice Monday to Friday from 9 to 12:30 AM and 13:30 to 6 PM (French time) on the phone, or by email.
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Physical level :  
This tour is E-bike compatible

Highlights

  • Riding through vineyards and quiet, rolling hills in the heart of Burgundy.
  • Combining cycling and wine tasting (in moderation of course!).
  • Quiet back roads and beautiful countryside.
  • Discovering some of the most prestigious wines and vineyards in the World.

Description

Comments

  • This trip exists in 2 versions : V1=1 wheel / V2=2 wheels
  • Special offers for private groups. Please ask us for a quotation.

Detailed itinerary

Day 1: Dijon - Beaune

Itinerary start : Rendezvous with your tour guide is on day 1 at 10am in Dijon. On request we can book the previous night's accomodation for you in Beaune.

Rendezvous in Dijon, start and end point of this Burgundy bicycle tour. Today's route is a full day of riding, but the last day of the tour is much shorter, offering plenty of time to discover the capital of Burgundy. Our route leaves town and heads south in the direction of some very prestigious vineyards! We ride through the heart of vineyards that make wines regarded by many as priceless, discovering two major players in the world of wine: Vougeot and Vosne Romanée. Particularly in Burgundy, the exceptional quality of the wine is due to a whole array of different factors. First of all tradition, as in Burgundy, unlike Bordeaux, the mixing of different wines is forbidden. But also the soil type, location and exposure to sunlight. It is also worth noting the passion of the wine growers and producers who have retained a remarkable humility and respect for the wine growing process, despite the prestige and fame surrounding their work. All of these characteristics, grouped under the name of "climats", contribute to a proposition to become a Unesco world heritage site. Tonight's accommodation is a comfortable 3* hotel in one of the most beautiful towns in Burgundy, Beaune. The local gastronomy and the many great restaurants offer a perfect opportunity to sample the culinary delights of the region.

Distance covered: approx. 45 km / altitude gain: approx. 450 m

Day 2: Beaune - Chagny

After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, the day's stage is voluntarily short, leaving plenty of time to discover the town of Beaune. Below ground the town of Beaune is a veritable Gruyere! The town's historical cellars, dating back several centuries, as well as those of the many private mansions, stretch for dozens of kilometres under the streets and alleys. We take the time to admire the many beautiful multi-coloured polychrome terracotta roofs, characteristic of traditional Burgundy architecture. We then head off on the bikes once again, continuing south, through the extension of the Côte d'Or (which gave its name to the department). As soon as we leave Beaune we start crossing a succession of "grand cru" vineyards and classified villages: Pommard, Volnay, Meursault, Puligny Montrachet, Chassagne Montrachet, then Santenay. In the same manner as the previous day, we link the villages on a network of small, quite roads that weave their way between the vineyards. The Côte d'Or ends here, and we drop down into the valley, to Santeney. We then join the banks of the Canal du Centre, which we follow all the way to Chagny. The canal connects the Mediterranean to the Atlantic… via the Saone and Loire rivers. We change department now, passing from the Saone to the Loire. The south offers a different Burgundy, more orientated towards agriculture and cattle breeding that towards vineyards. However, we still discover some prestigious vineyards, such as Mercurey or Chagny, which we reach before stopping for our second night in Burgundy.

Distance covered: approx. 35 km / altitude gain: approx. 200 m

Day 3: Chagny - Nolay

Today route takes us on a discovery of the Burgundy countryside. After two days riding through vineyards, past prestigious châteaux and "domaines", we head into a more discrete, but no less charming part of Burgundy. Our route leaves us little time to get bored! On a superb network of back roads that wind their way between the vineyards, then between the fields and pastures, we set our course due west to the valley of the Dheune, tributary of the Saone. We descend the Dheune, crossing numerous pretty villages, with the beautiful Burgundy countryside as a backdrop. Our route circumnavigates the Côte de Beaune limestone ridge (southern half of the Côte d'Or), leaving the vineyards behind us and replacing them with limestone cliffs, forests and farmland. We approach Nolay, our overnight stop. The town has a rich medieval past, highlighted by its 14th century covered market with an intricate timber framed roof, covered with limestone flagstones. Situated at a strategic crossroads, Nolay was an important commercial town. Its former wealth is still visible today through its elaborate architecture: vaulted stone cellars and overhanging timber framed upper floors. We take the time to visit the birthplace of Lazare Carnot (prominent figure during the French Revolution), as well as the 15th century church, rebuilt during the 17th century.

Distance covered: approx. 30 km / altitude gain: approx. 450 m

Day 4: Nolay - Bligny sur Ouche

Depending on the option chosen, today's stage is a more or less short one, but with several climbs that will soon reduce our average speed! But remember, this trip isn’t a race (on the contrary), and we take plenty of time to enjoy the sights along the way. We head due north to join the River Ouche, a typical Burgundy river that meanders gently through the countryside. After a further visit of Nolay (Saint Pierre quarter, museum of paleontology, town hall), our route leads us towards the cliffs of Saint Romain. The village of Saint Romain is surrounded by limestone cliffs, and our route offers us a bird's eye view of the village from the top! The scenery gradually changes during the course of our ride, mixing wooded sections and open fields. We turn and head north, along the west side of the Côte d'Or, before reaching the source of the River Ouche, near Lusigny sur Ouche. A hundred kilometres in length, the Ouche drops down the western slopes of the Côte de Nuits, ending in the Kir Lake, on the outskirts of Dijon. We follow the river for a short time, before heading to Bligny, and our charming guest house for the night.

Distance covered: 45 km / altitude gain: 650 m

Day 5: Bligny sur Ouche - Pont de Pany

In contrast to yesterday, today's stage is a little longer, but with plenty of descending... Our route sees us descend the Ouche Valley, a favourite destination for the residents of the Dijon area. We pass through several delightful small villages dotted along this charming valley. Thorey, La Bussière, Saint Victor, Barbirey, Gissey, Sainte Marie, Fleurey and Velars, each village has its particular charms. 200 metres of altitude loss separate the source of the Ouche from the Kir Lake, allowing us to coast gently along, with a few pedal strokes from time to time. Night in a hotel or guest house in Pont de Pany or close by.

Distance covered: 45 km / altitude gain: 250 m

Day 6: Pont de Pany - Dijon

We are now only a few kilometres away from the capital of the Dukes of Burgundy. Today’s stage offers a well-earned breather after a full week of riding, as well as plenty of time to visit the many interesting natural and architectural sites of the city of Dijon. In no particular order: the gardens of the town centre (Arquebuse, Colombière Park, the gardens of Darcy), Lake Kir, the cathedrals of Sainte Bégnine, Notre Dame, Saint Etienne, Saint Philibert. A wide variety of different styles, from gothic through to renaissance. The Palais des Ducs and public square, the tombs… and for those who appreciate fine cuisine, the opportunity to indulge in some local gastronomy. A small city just waiting to be discovered, on or off the bike.

Distance covered: 20 km

Distances are an indication only and may vary.

Itinerary end: The trip ends in Dijon at 4pm. On request we can book the following night's accomodation for you in Beaune.

Dates and price

Dates
Start date End date Duration Price
06/09/2025 11/09/2025 6 days 1425 €

Costs and services guided tour

The price includes:
  • Qualified English-speaking French cycling guide 
  • 5 x nights in guest houses, 2* and 3* hotels in double rooms (DR) with en-suite facilities
  • 5 x breakfasts
  • 6 x picnic lunches
  • 5 x  dinners (3 to 4 course menu)
  • Daily baggage transfers
What is not included:
  • International flights
  • Bike rental
  • Your transfer to the meeting place (see paragraph below)
  • All services mentioned in extensions
  • Insurance, assistance
  • Drinks at the accommodation
  • Visits to museums, monuments and sites
  • Additional travel related to change in the programme due to bad weather
  • All personal expenses
  • Everything not mentioned under  “the price includes".

Supplementary services

Prices per person :

Single room accommodation 295 € / 

Bike rental: see below

Bike rental

Standard bikes and e-bikes are available for rent.

Standard bike 165 € / 

E-Bike 225 € / 

All bycicles are equipped with mudguards, a rear rack, a handlebar bag, a bike lock and a pucture repair kit.

Please indicate your height when completing the booking form.

Electric bikes offer pedaling assistance, greatly reducing the effort needed to cover a given distance compared to a classic "human-powered" bicycle. They offer an alternative solution in two cases: 

  • You do not feel able to complete a level 1 wheel (lowest level) circuit. With electric assistance, this trip becomes accessible. 
  • You would like to complete a circuit with a person who is fitter than you and you are worried that you will be unable to keep up, or that the other person will find your pace too slow.

Private groups / Custom tours

You are a group of friends, a family, a company or a cycling club and you would like to organise a private cycling tour on the dates of your choice. This option is available for guided and self-guided tours.

  • If you are interested in one of the tours presented on our website, we can provide you with a detailed quote based on the number of persons in your group.
  • If you are interested in a custom version of one of our tours, with specific requirements (tour duration, accommodation type, vehicle assistance, airport transfers, bike rental, etc.), we can provide you with a detailed quote based on the number of persons in the group and the group's specific requirements.

For more information or to receive a quote, please contact us by phone at +33 458 140 435  or by email at info@france-bike-trips.com.

Travel insurance

It is important to be correctly insured when embarking on a cycling holiday. We recommend checking the details of your travel insurance (if you have one) and, if necessary, subscribing to our contract below. Please note that France Bike Trips is simply an intermediary between you and the insurance company.

You can choose between these travel insurance contracts while completing your booking form:

  • I subscribe to the "comprehensive multi-risk" insurance cover (4.5%), minimum premium of 15 €:
    This contract covers assistance, repatriation, lost or stolen luggage, holiday interruption and cancellation. To see the full contract, click here.
  • I purchase the "cancellation only" insurance cover (2.5%), minimum premium of 10 €:
    This policy covers cancellation only. To see the full contract, click here.
  • I purchase the "repatriation & assistance" insurance cover (1.6%), minimum premium of 10 €:
    This policy covers assistance, repatriation, lost or stolen luggage and holiday interruption. To see the full contract, click here.

Recommendation:
If you choose to take out a travel insurance policy with another insurance company, please check that the search and rescue coverage is suitable: area covered, expenses included, risks covered (as an indication, a minimum cover of 15 000 € is recommended). Please note that credit card insurance rarely offers this type of coverage.

Booking procedure / Cancellation

How to book

In order to make a booking please fill in the online booking form on the "booking" page of your chosen tour. At the end of the booking process you will be transferred to our bank's secure payment page in order to pay a 30 % deposit.

Last minute booking

All self-guided bookings made within 21 days of tour departure will incur a surcharge of 15 € per person.

Expert advice
  • Unsure which tour to book?
  • Interested in a custom version of one of our tours?
  • Not sure if a particular tour is suitable for your riding style?

A dedicated team of travel specialists is available to offer you expert advice Monday to Friday from 9 am to 6 pm (French time) by phone - +33 458 140 435 or by mail - info@france-bike-trips.com.

Tour confirmation

In order to confirm our guided tours, we need to reach a minimum number of participants (usually 5 persons are necessary). Therefore booking a guided tour does not necessarily mean the tour is confirmed. In the unlikely event that we are unable to confirm your chosen tour, we will offer you the opportunity (no less than 21 days before departure) of switching to another (confirmed) tour, or receiving a full refund.

Self-guided or custom tours: We confirm bookings of self-guided tours and custom tours directly after booking.

In both cases, please await our final booking confirmation before making any travel arrangements.

Balance payment

Tour balance payment must be made no less than 30 days before tour departure. Your travel documents will be sent to you once we have received your balance payment. Road books and maps will be sent to you 3 weeks before departure.

Cancellation

In the event that you are obliged to cancel your tour France Bike Trips will reimburse the entire sum paid for the tour, minus the following cancellation charges:

  • More than 60 days before departure: 5 % of the tour price, excluding insurance premium
  • Between 60 and 31 days before departure: 15 % of the tour price, excluding insurance premium
  • Between 30 and 21 days: 30 % of the tour price, excluding insurance premium
  • Between 20 and 14 days: 50 % of the tour price, excluding insurance premium
  • Between 13 and 7 days: 70 % of the tour price, excluding insurance premium
  • Less than 7 days before departure: 100 % of the tour price, excluding insurance premium

Full details of our sales conditions are available here

Getting there

By train: From Paris Gare de Lyon train station to Dijon train station (about 3h by TGV train).
https://www.sncf-connect.com/en-en/

By plane:

  • From Roissy - Paris Charles de Gaulle airport: head to Dijon train station.
  • From Lyon airport: join the Lyon train station and head to Dijon train station.

By car:
Route planner: en.mappy.com


Route navigation

You will receive an email 2 weeks before departure, containing all the information necessary for your upcoming tour, including the following navigation tools:

Our dedicated smartphone app

Follow your route with comfort and ease! Thanks to the Velorizons navigation app, download the full trip itinerary to your smartphone, view route maps and profiles, access the list of booked accommodation, services and useful contacts, and use the integrated route guidance (visual and vocal) for navigation.

See the mobile app presentation video

To benefit fully from the app navigation system, we strongly recommend attaching your smartphone to the bicycle handlebar using a dedicated mount. An example can be viewed here.

Velorizons app compatibility
Operating systemAndroidAppleWindows PhoneBlackberry
CompatibilityVersion 8.0 minimumiOS 8.0 minimum. iPhone compatible, iPad compatible if GPS equippedNon compatibleNon compatible
A detailed Road Book

Your tour road book will be available to download in your My France Bike Trips customer area. The road book contains:

  • Full colour maps with highlighted routes,
  • Step-by-step route description,
  • Route profiles
GPS tracks

Tour GPS tracks will be available to download in your My France Bike Trips customer area. The tracks are in .gpx format, compatible with all GPS devices/apps.

Car sharing

If you sign up for a guided tour, we offer you the opportunity to see if you can carpool with other participants to get to the point of departure. To do this, go to "Car sharing" in our website. By entering the complete reference and the date of departure of the tour (available on the registration confirmation that we have sent you), you have access to route details and emails of other participants who wish to carpool.

Group size and guiding

For guided trips we limit the size of our groups from 5 (min) to 12 (max) persons in order to ensure security and conviviality.

You will be guided by English-speaking French mountain bike guides.

No size limitation for self-guided groups.

Accommodation

We favour comfortable accommodation with warm hospitality. For more details, please see the "Costs and services" section.

For private groups and self-guided tours it is possible to choose alternative accommodation (upgrade) depending on availability.

Food

"L'art de la table"

We pay very careful attention to the quality and the variety of your meals.  Fresh and local produce will be served wherever possible.

Depending on the meals included in your chosen tour:

  • Continental breakfasts taken at the accommodation
  • Cold picnics for lunch (mixed salad, bread, cold meats, cheese and fruit). Each participant carries his picnic in his daypack
  • Hearty dinners (3 to 4 courses, with local dishes)

Please check the "Dates & Prices" section for meal plan details.

Baggage

During the day you carry only a daypack for additional clothing, water, food, camera, etc. The rest of your baggage is transferred each day to the following nights accommodation.

Health

We strongly recommend having a medical check-up before your holiday. 

Our / Your state of mind

- A "group" tour: If you join a guided tour, you will be part of a group for several days. This is a superb opportunity to meet new people and share some magical moments. However, a group tour requires that each person show friendliness, openness and mutual respect for their fellow travellers.

- An "adventure" tour: despite the most careful preparation, adventure tours can present unforeseen events. Accepting these risks will help you enjoy your trip to the full, in the knowledge that your guide, our local partners and the entire France Bike Trips team will offer you the most suitable solutions to any given situation.

Bike and plane / train

If you decide to bring your own bike, be aware that transporting a bike by plane or train is no longer an issue. However a few simple guidelines help to optimise the transport and avoid potential damages that could occur.
Your bike must be transported in a designated bike bag (standard size 120x90cm). This maximal size allows you to travel with your bike as "hand luggage" in any TGV and SNCF trains.
It is very important that you protect your bike in the bag. After having deflated the tires, removed the wheels (by removing the quick release mechanisms), pedals and rear derailleur (which is left hanging on the chain), we recommend you wrap your bike inside the bag in a sheet of dense foam (thickness of 3 to 5 cm). A piece of cardboard or rigid plastic positioned between the foam and the inside of the cover can be beneficial to provide more rigidity.

Once folded up the bike bag will take up very little space and will be transported by the assistance vehicle during your tour.

Bike bags are available directly from France Bike Trips at a cost of 70 euros, plus postage.

Your equipment

Equipment provided by France Bike Trips on guided tours:
  • A group first-aid kit
  • A bike repair kit and tools
Personal equipment to bring:
Baggage

All your luggage must fit in two bags: a daypack and a travel bag.

1/ Daypack

This is the bag you will keep with you each day whilst riding. This bag should not be too large (up to 30 litres).

It will contain: a picnic lunch, camera, waterproof and extra clothing, etc.

Each day, your guide will advise you on what to bring in your bag according to the route and the weather.

2/ Travel bag

This is the bag that will be transported from one accommodation to the next by vehicle. It should contain all the belongings you will not use during the day.

IMPORTANT: Your luggage transported from one accommodation to the next must fit in a single bag and must not exceed 20kg.

List of equipment to pack in your bag the day of departure:
For your head
  • A cap or other head protection against the sun
  • A hat or headband
  • A bike helmet.
For your upper body
  • Two base layers (made of synthetic or natural breathable fabrics)
  • A warm shirt or a sweatshirt
  • A fleece
  • A waterproof jacket
For your legs
  • Two good quality cycling shorts
  • Trousers
  • Casual short
  • A swimsuit.
For your feet
  • Comfortable sports shoes 
  • Sports socks
  • Sandals (not obligatory, but nice during breaks and in the evening...).
For your bike

If you rent a bike from France Bike Trips, this material is not necessary.

  • 2 spare tubes and a puncture repair kit
  • Lubricant for chain and derailleur
  • A pump
  • A spare derailleur hanger
Various
  • A pair of cycling gloves
  • A bike lock
  • 2 bike bottles 75 cl (or Camelbak)
  • A small individual pharmacy: sunscreen (face and lips); band aids + double skin; Immodium; pain killers, earplugs, other personal medication.

Self-guided formula

Self-guided tour "user guide"

Active autonomy: what you need to know for our self-guided tours

In order to achieve the planned tour programme, you must:

  • Guide yourself with the highlighted maps and road book;
  • Choose suitable start times adapted to the lengths of the daily stages as well as your own riding pace, and leave an adequate safety margin of time;
  • Obtain daily weather forecasts from your hosts, and take into account the weather conditions when planning journey times;
  • Arrive at the booked guest houses and hotels listed in the programme on the given dates; 
  • Bring the necessary personal equipment to carry out the tour. France Bike Trips equipment list constitutes the necessary minimum;
  • Carry insurance policies and emergency telephone numbers with you at all times;
  • Be familiar with basic first-aid steps;
  • In the event of any problems during your trip, contact France Bike Trips (contact information in your travel documents). Possession of a mobile phone that works in France is strongly recommended.

Self-guided tours are undertaken without a guide and at your own risk. France Bike Trips cannot be held liable for any route error, misconduct, personal imprudence, inadequate planning or inappropriate reactions in the event of incidents.

Any programme change of your own initiative is under your responsibility and at your expense. 

Having said this, with our advice and good preparation, you should be able to look forward to a wonderful, trouble free holiday. Enjoy your trip!

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A dedicated team of travel specialists is available to offer you expert advice Monday to Friday from 9 to 12:30 AM and 13:30 to 6 PM (French time) on the phone, or by email.


Phone number: +33 458 140 435

Contact us

A dedicated team of travel specialists is available to offer you expert advice Monday to Friday from 9 to 12:30 AM and 13:30 to 6 PM (French time) on the phone, or by email.

Please type in your email address in order to access tour details and description

Your email will not be communicated to any third party or company outside France Bike Trips / Velorizons. You may receive occasional emails from France Bike Trips, with the possibility to unsubscribe at any time. CNIL (French National Commission for Data Protection and Liberties)