Day 1 Auxerre
Auxerre, city of Art and History that has conserved an exceptional architectural heritage. Its cathedral, a model of gothic elegance, the St Germain Abbey, a nearly intact monastic complex with crypts dating back to the 9th Century containing one of the oldest mural paintings discovered in France, not to mention a charming city centre with great boutiques.
Day 2 Auxerre – Chablis 38 km
Cycle in the direction of Pontigny. You pass shortstretches of forest until you reach the Cistercianchurch. It is one of the last witnesses to the greatspiritual movement of the Cistercians. After the visit, you continue via Ligny-le-Châtel and thenthrough the world-famous and extensive valley of the fruity Chablis white wine to the village of the
same name. A wine tasting awaits you here in a typical wine cellar.
Day 3 Chablis- Noyers – Nitry 34 km
After a leisurely tour of Chablis, you cycle off. You pass the Serein valley with its picturesque wine-growing villages and finally reach Noyerssur-Serein. Thanks to its medieval townscape, Noyers is one of the 100 most beautiful villages in France. You cycle to Nitry, where you spend the night in a beautiful 18th century hotel.
Day 4 Nitry – Avallon 55 km
Today you cycle across the superb “terre plaine” plateau and Avallon landscapes. You will pass by the medieval hamlet of Montréal before reaching Avallon, a beautiful ancient town.
Day 5 Avallon – Vézelay 42 km
The tour continues today through some of Burgundy’s finest landscapes, culminating in a stop in Vézelay and its Sainte-Madeleine Basilica, a Romanesque art masterpiece listed as UNESCO world heritage. During the middle Ages, Vézelay was a major pilgrimage site and a special halt on the way to Compostella. Its Basilica dominates the
small mediaeval town and its fortifications. It is also among the 100 most beautiful villages of France.
Day 6 Vézelay – Escolives-Ste-Camille 48 km
Starting by a climb to reach the Yonne valley, the itinerary will then follow it and the Canal du Nivernais all day. You will come across beautiful sites such as Châtel-Censoir and the Saussois cliffs.
Escolives is near the Canal du Nivernais, a small village where you will spend a peaceful night in a winegrower’s farm.
Day 7 Escolives-Ste-Camille– Auxerre 33 km
Water dominates the day, for all around you are some of the greatest rivers of France. In fact, Burgundy has been called the water table of France. All the mighty rivers are interconnected by a marvellous canal system. You are cycling beside the water surrounded by nature before leaving its side to go through the lovely Auxerre vineyard villages: Irancy, Saint-Bris-le-Vineux, and Bailly. In the caves de Bailly you will taste the famous Crémant de Bourgogne before carrying on to Auxerre.
Day 8 Departure
C’est la vie – your cycling holidays in Burgundy are finished. After having a last breakfast it’s time to say goodbye to this charming region in France!
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