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Highlights
Discover art and wine while cycling through South Burgundy.
Cycle past the famous vineyards of the Côte Chalonnaise in Burgundy.
Visit the beautiful and historic Cistercian Abbey of Cluny.
Travel along bicycle paths surrounded by old world charm.
Witness the natural beauty of the French countryside.
The South Burgandy’s Voies Vertes Cycling Tour will allow you to explore Southern Burgundy on one of Europe's most beautiful walking and cycling paths, the 'Voies Vertes.' This journey winds through the scenic landscapes of Côte Chalonnaise, unveiling old railways, charming villages, and historic castles. Traverse vineyards to reach the Cistercian Abbey of Cluny and Mâcon. Follow the 'Voie Bleue' along the Saône River valley, passing through Tournus and its romanesque abbey.
Nearly three-quarters of the route unfolds on greenway paths, ensuring a tranquil ride, with the remainder on quiet shared-use roads. The tour seamlessly blends vineyards, bocages, villages, and cultural cities, offering a relaxing exploration of Burgundy's treasures. Cycling at your own pace, this tour promises a unique and unforgettable holiday, immersing you in the charm and history of southern Burgundy.
The South Burgandy’s Voies Vertes Cycling Tour will allow you to explore Southern Burgundy on one of Europe's most beautiful walking and cycling paths, the 'Voies Vertes.' This journey winds through the scenic landscapes of Côte Chalonnaise, unveiling old railways, charming villages, and historic castles. Traverse vineyards to reach the Cistercian Abbey of Cluny and Mâcon. Follow the 'Voie Bleue' along the Saône River valley, passing through Tournus and its romanesque abbey.
Nearly three-quarters of the route unfolds on greenway paths, ensuring a tranquil ride, with the remainder on quiet shared-use roads. The tour seamlessly blends vineyards, bocages, villages, and cultural cities, offering a relaxing exploration of Burgundy's treasures. Cycling at your own pace, this tour promises a unique and unforgettable holiday, immersing you in the charm and history of southern Burgundy.
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South Burgandy’s Voies Vertes Cycling Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Mâcon
Upon your arrival in Mâcon, you will be able check into the hotel after 3 pm and enjoy free time in the evening. Mâcon, a former border between the French Realm and the Holy German Empire (843 to 1600), boasts an exceptionally charming old town for exploration.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Mâcon
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Bike from Mâcon to Tournus (40km/24.9mi)
The first day of cycling on the tour will see you embark from Mâcon along the ‘Voie Bleue’ by the Saône River, passing through Fleurville with its historic Marigny and Marfontaine castles. Navigate paths and quaint roads leading to the Romanesque Abbey of Tournus and its charming old town, adorned with unique streets and traboules. Don’t miss the 11th-century St Philibert Abbey, a remarkable Romanesque architectural gem that will enrich your journey with historical and architectural wonders.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Tournus
Distance: 40km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Cycle to Chalon-sur-Saône (30km/18.6mi)
Today you will pedal beside the Saône River, diverging from its tranquil flow to traverse Gigny. After navigating the floodplain between the Saône and Grosne, you will pass through St Loup de Varennes, the home of photography inventor Joseph Nicéphore Niepce.
After, you will reconnect with the Saône’s banks, passing by St Rémy on the route to Chalon-sur-Saône, where you will spend the night.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Chalon-sur-Saône
Distance: 30km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Bike from Chalon-sur-Saône to Cluny (52km/32.3mi)
Day 4 of the tour will begin on the cycle path known as ‘Voie Verte,’ which stretches northwest to Givry, then turns southwest, guiding you through the captivating, fortified town of Buxy amid the scenic vineyards of Cote Chalonnaise in Burgundy. This renowned wine region features prestigious appellations like Mercurey and Givry.
As you pedal through the historic towns of St. Boll and St. Gengoux le National, both of which exude medieval charm, your journey unfolds in Cormatin with a 17th-century castle, a labyrinth, and an enchanting ancient vegetable garden.
Following ‘Voie Verte,’ you’ll reach the monastic community of Taizé and, 13km/8.1mi later, the splendid Benedictine abbey of Cluny, established in 910 and once considered Christianity’s most significant monastic complex by 1080.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Cluny
Distance: 52km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Return to Mâcon (28km/17.4mi)
Before embarking on today’s shorter ride, make sure to set aside some time for a visit to Cluny. After, you will transition from the spiritual atmosphere of Cluny to immerse yourself in the poetic world of Alphonse de Lamartine. His influential formative years in this captivating landscape, rich in nature, castles, and monuments, undoubtedly shaped his literary works.
Continuing on your journey, you will cross Europe’s longest illuminated and secured cycling tunnel (1.6km/1mi), leading to the castle of Berzé le Chatel. A climb here unveils a splendid view of the Mâconnais vineyard district.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Mâcon
Distance: 28km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Departure Day
After enjoying one final breakfast in your hotel, you will gather your things and depart from Mâcon.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
South Burgandy’s Voies Vertes Cycling Tour Price and Dates
This self-guided tour is always run as a private tour for your group only.2024 Departures The departures are available every daily, from April 1st to October 30th.
- Single room: from EUR1175*
- Sharing a double room: from EUR805*
Accommodation on South Burgandy’s Voies Vertes Cycling Tour
You will stay in 2 or 3-star hotels that offer modern conveniences that can make this trip more pleasant. Standard rooms are of double occupancy.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
What’s Included in the South Burgandy’s Voies Vertes Cycling Tour?
Meals
5 breakfasts are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 5 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
This tour includes luggage transfers between your accommodations. Any other transportation is not included.
Also included
- Digital travel pack
- Access to our phone travel app during the trip
- Telephone assistance
- Tourist taxes
Not included
- Flights or airport transfers
- Drinks
- Entrance fees to tourist attractions
- Personal expenses
- Insurance
- Everything that is not noted as included
Optional Extras
- Upgrade to single room
- Bike rental:
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- Hybrid bike
- E-bike
- Extra night in Macon
- Printed travel pack
- Bike insurance
- How hard is the South Burgandy’s Voies Vertes Cycling Tour?
- I’ve never been on a self-guided trip! How does it work?
- Do I need a visa to travel to France?
- Are meals included on the South Burgandy’s Voies Vertes Cycling Tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Macon to start this tour?
- Is the tour material South Burgandy’s Voies Vertes Cycling Tour in English?
- Where does the South Burgandy’s Voies Vertes Cycling Tour end?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to France?
- Are there any travel restrictions for France?
We rate the difficulty of this tour as a 2 / 5. Enjoy easy to moderate cycling. Mostly following walking/cycling paths on an old railway from Chalon-sur-Saône to Mâcon, following the rolling hills of the Côte Chalonnaise; on the ‘Voie Bleue’ stages, you will often be on a shared-use lane on quiet small roads. Expect to bike 28 to 52km daily, with easy to moderate ascents in elevation throughout the rides. It is appropriate for children from age 13 and up, potentially younger if they have prior experience on similar cycling itineraries.
Self-guided travelling is not difficult! For many, it is a preferred type of travel, since you are in charge of your own time and pace. You are provided with all the information you’ll need to follow the route each day and often have access to phone support or other kinds of assistance. However, self-guided travelling requires good navigation skills and those who don’t feel confident in unknown places should consider booking guided tours.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
5 breakfasts in hotels are included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover cycling. Get your travel insurance.
The nearest major airport to Mâcon is Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (IATA: LYS), which is about 70 kilometers (43 miles) away. After arriving at the Lyon airport, you can continue your journey to Mâcon by train, bus, or rental car.
Yes, the tour material is in English language.
The tour ends where it starts, in Macon.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
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