Day 1:  Arrival in Dijon
Our tour begins in Dijon, the capital of Burgundy. We can’t recommend enough an early arrival, so as to allow plenty of time to explore Dijon, which instead of a city, feels more like the world’s largest open-air museum devoted to medieval art and architecture. To depart without visiting this magical city would be like opening a 2002 Perrot-Minot Nuits St. Georges and experiencing it only by bouquet. To provide for ample exploring, you’ll stay in the center of town in a 15th century postal building turned into a charming hotel.

Day 2:  Dijon – Beaune (approx. 48 km or 30 miles)
In the morning you’ll leave behind the bustle of the city for the hush of the country and immediately find yourself in the midst of wine superstardom—let the clinking begin!  Gevrey-Chambertin, Chambolle-Musigny, Vosne-Romanée, and Nuits-Saint-Georges headline these “Hills of God.”  In between toasts, bouquets, legs, and swirling, you’ll find many restaurants and open-air cafes chockfull with regional specialties. Or if you prefer, you can have a picnic roadside and acquire a firsthand understanding as to how the French countryside has inspired so many artistic masterpieces. The easy pace of this route will also allow ample time to visit the many museums and architectural wows that dominate this special region. You’ll stay the night in Beaune, the unofficial wine capital of Burgundy.

Day 3:  Rest day or loops around Beaune
Today you may choose to do one of our suggested loops (ranging from 25 km (or 16 miles) to 60 km (or 37 miles)) or take a day off the bike. You may want to plan a lot of time to drink in—figuratively and literally—the magical allure of Burgundy’s wine capital. Its cobblestone streets offer world-class attractions including the 15th century Notre-Dame Basilica, the Hôtel-Dieu, with its famous multi-colored tile roof, and the Wine Museum. There are also numerous wine ‘caves’ (wine cellars), perfect for sharpening your toast-making skills for the days ahead!

Day 4:  Beaune to Nolay (2 options of approx. 30 km (19 miles) or 40 km (or 25 miles))
You’ll strike out south of Beaune for the Cote de Beaune vineyards and another epic day of biking and tasting.  The villages of Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet are tiny in size but huge with charm. Both make for good lunch stops before continuing on to Nolay, where you will overnight in a 2-star hotel property facing the 16th century covered market.

Day 5:  Nolay to Chateauneuf-en-Auxois (2 options of approx. 36 km (22 miles) or 45 km (or 28 miles))
Leave the vineyards behind and cycle through the forested uplands to the hilltop village of Chateauneuf-en-Auxois, overlooking the surrounding countryside. Today’s scenery changes dramatically as you’ll pedal beyond the vineyards and into the lush forests and rustic farmlands of the Burgundy plateau. This picturesque countryside emits a captivating stillness, as if permanently posing for yet another postcard shoot. For lunch you’ll stop in Bligny-sur-Ouche, a small farming village laden with Gothic and Roman architecture. From here you’ll cross the Burgundy Canal and arrive in the medieval village of Chateauneuf-en-Auxois, whose storybook-like architecture and hilltop setting make it easy to understand why it has been deemed one of France’s most beautiful villages.

Day 6:  Rest day or loop around Chateauneuf-en-Auxois (approx. 40 km or 25 miles)
Today you may choose to do the loop or take a day off the bike. Our optional loop, short in length, but big on sites, is highlighted by the Castle of Commarin, which has been in the hands of the same family for over 700 years. The rooms of the castle are ornamented with antique furniture and tapestries from the 16th century. From here, you’ll pedal back to Chateauneuf-en-Auxois at your own pace, while following a picturesque route along the Burgundy Canal.

Day 7:  Chateauneuf – Dijon (approx. 42 km or 26 miles)
Leaving fairy-tale like Chateauneuf-en-Auxois behind, the majority of the day follows the Burgundy canal, taking in rustic villages and castle dotted-hillsides, cycling past Velars-sur-Ouche, and then on to Dijon to complete the circuit. If you did not get a chance the first time round, this is the perfect opportunity to enjoy the Ducal Palace, Roman ruins, and Notre Dame cathedral, among all the other lovely things which make up Dijon.

Day 8:  End of trip
After a leisurely breakfast, depart Dijon at the time of your choice.

Pricing:  From 705 euros per person sharing a double room.  

• 705 euros March thru April 30 and October 1 thru November 5. Single supplement is 250 euros
• 730 euros May 1 thru June 30 and September 1 thru September 30. Single supplement is 270 euros
• 770 euros July 1 thru August 31. Single supplement is 280 euros

Our prices include:

• 7-night accommodations in 2- and 3-star properties
• Daily breakfast
• 2 dinners (drinks are not included)
• Meeting with our local representative
• Marked maps and/or cue sheets
• Tourist information
• Assistance if necessary
• All tax and service charges

Our prices do not include:

• Expenses of personal nature
• Travel insurance
• Bicycle rentals. Hybrids are available at the rate of 95 euros per bike.