Burgundy Guided Tour

Though the world's finest wines are one of the great draws for visiting this area, wine lovers aren't the only ones who delight in this region. Burgundy is rich with incredible architecture and fascinating history from the Middle Ages through WWII. Renovated castles as well as ruins dot the countryside, along with ancient abbeys, cathedrals and medieval stone villages surrounded by ramparts. It is also especially known for its gastronomic fare, with many of the country's finest restaurants located in Burgundy.

Wine has been Burgundy's primary source of business and pleasure for over two thousand years. But it was the monastic orders that first made Burgundy and its wines famous and by the 12th century, the church was the region's biggest wine producer.

The Dukes of Burgundy ruled this vast region from the 11th - 15th centuries before it reverted to French rule. The Abbey of Cluny, built in 1088, put Burgundy at the head of Christendom, and its wealth made Burgundy prosperous. The Revolution of 1789 decimated the region, leaving many of its greatest architectural treasures in ruin. During World War II, the resistance had a stronghold in Burgundy, hiding out in its small villages.

Your custom tour of Burgundy can concentrate in one of the areas listed below, or blend two or three of them for a complete taste of the region. Central Burgundy is one of the most popular destinations for cyclists, but each region has its own specific attractions and heritage.

The accommodations in Burgundy are world renowned, as is the culinary expertise. You can choose a luxury experience in the finest hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants. Or, select from a plethora of classic hotels if that is your preference. At any level, you will not be disappointed in Burgundy!

Central Burgundy

This includes the world famous vineyards of the Côtes de Nuits south of Dijon. Cycle through little-traveled vineyard roads, stopping occasionally to taste the rich wines of the area. Ride from one legendary wine village to the next on the Route des Grands Crus. Visit the Clos Vougeot, where you can see massive grape presses made from oaks from the reign of Charlemagne. Delight in the white vineyards of Puligny and Chassagne Montrachet and the joys of Meursault. Take a guided walking tour of medieval Beaune, the undisputed wine center of France, full of fascinating shops. Visit the impressive Hôtel-Dieu, the 15th century hospital and most famous Burgundian-Flemish style architecture in Europe. South-west of Beaune, visit the 12th century turreted Château de Rochepot after cycling through sublime, cyclist-friendly country roads.

The cycling ranges from easy to moderately challenging. An advantage of this region is that it is a perfect region for a mixture of cycling abilities. For beginning cyclists, there are plenty of flat to slightly rolling vineyard roads, while the more advanced cyclists can choose to tackle the longer or hillier routes.

Northern Burgundy

This region stretches from Chablis to Vézelay, the most popular pilgrimage destination of the 15th century. Many of the delightful country rides in this region take you along meandering rivers, such as the Yonne, the Serein and the Cure rivers. Cycle along the prestigious vineyards of the Premier and Grand Crus Chablis, known for their golden-green tinged color. Ride to one of the most beautiful Monasteries of the Christian World, the 12th century Abbaye de Pontigny. With its creamy white stone and flying buttresses, it is a striking example of the advances in architecture at the time.

Visit Noyers, one of France’s Plus Beaux Villages, a dreamy little place surrounded by ramparts and 16 round towers. The Château de Tanlay, west of Chablis, is an elegant monument to the French Renaissance, and Ancy-le-Franc, just to the south, an Italian Renaissance house based on an Italian Palazzo. Ride into the attractive Village of Avalon, perched on a granite spur between two ravines, before heading into the shaded Vallée de Cousins along the Cure river.

Much of the cycling is along flat river valleys, but one must ascend and descend several ridges to get to the next valley, so the cycling ranges from easy to moderate.

Southern Burgundy and Beaujolais

Stretching from Chagny to Macon, this region entails the vineyards of the Côte Challonais, Macon Villages and the Beaujolais vineyards of Pouilly Fuissé, Fleurie and Julienas. Classic landscapes of stone villages and rolling vineyards await as you roll down into the fertile Saone River Valley. This area is also full of architectural delights, from ancient medieval ruins, to the important monastic center of Tournus, to the ruins of the famous Abbaye of Cluny, once one of the most powerful centers of religion, learning and art in the world. This varied region is also home to several prehistoric sights, including the Rock of Solutré.

There are many rolling hills in this lower part of Burgundy, and a few flatter sections along the river, but riders should expect more rolling than not.

To begin planning your custom tour of Burgundy, contact Jennifer@vivatravels.com right away!