Burgundy and Côte d’Or 2024

In Dijon, you will be awaited by the centrally located Hotel Océania Le Jura**** in a prime location. We will meet up at 5:30 pm for a city round tour, and can enjoy the sights during a guided tour. You will have the evening to your own disposal.

After the adjustment of our bikes, we will leave the awakening Dijon and will soon arrive at the Canal de Bourgogne, a masterpiece of engineering skill. Our cycling route leads past charming mills, hand-operated lock chambers and small villages. After a midday break, our route leads through lush meadows, on which we might catch a glimpse of the white Charolais cattle breed. The medieval fortress of Châteauneuf can be seen from afar, with its exquisitely preserved historic centre. After a splendid schuss, we will reach our stylish hotel, Hotel Château Sainte Sabine**** in the town of the same name. We will relax and enjoy a lovely meal in the much acclaimed château restaurant.

In the morning, we will travel by bus to the abbey of Fontenay. It was Bernard de Clairvaux himself who implemented a harmonious composition of architecture and landscape here. After paying a visit to this impressive Cistercian Abbey, we will cycle to Montbard, with its pretty waterfronts at the small Brenne River. Our route then leads through a densely wooded region and small villages to our stage destination, the Hotel Hotel Moulin des Ruats*** (two overnight stays), located below Avallon in the picturesque Cousin valley. We will enjoy our dinner together.

The first kilometres of our route lead on desolate paths to Saint Père. From there, we can catch a glimpse of Vézelay, situated on a mountain, with its mighty pilgrimage basilica. We will climb this „colline inspirée“ with our Pedelecs and will stand before the „enormous apotheosis of Romanesque art in Burgundy“ (R. Oursel), which only Autun can measure up to (on the following day). The west portal is considered as the most artistic work of Burgundian sculpture. Hardly anyone will be able to withstand this enchanting and magical place, when entering the church which is flooded with light. The starting point for one of the 4 main routes of the French Way of St. James is also located here. In the afternoon, we will travel on small paths, passing dreamlike brooks, back to our hotel, where we will enjoy dinner in the hotel restaurant.

In the morning, we will travel by bus to Saulieu. Here we will encounter another main work of Romanesque church architecture in Burgundy: St. Andoche. A large series of half-capitals with figures and plant ornaments surprise one in a church interior with such strictness of form. Today our cycling route leads through the side valleys of the forest-rich Morvan mountainous massif and mostly downhill in the direction of Autun. The cathedral in Autun is its pride and joy, an important example of Romanesque church interior design and sculpture. A particularly impressive sight is the fantastic Last Judgement tympanum. We will then travel by bus from Autun to Beaune, where we will be welcomed by the Hôtel de la Poste**** (two overnight stays). We will then review the events of our cycling day over dinner.

Today is dedicated to the famous Côte-d’Or. On today’s cycling route, we will travel past famous wine towns such as Meursault Volnay or Pommard. The “golden slope” as the Côte-d’Or is also called, produces several of the most famous wines in France, despite its small area of just 4500 hectares. The grand dukes of Burgundy also appreciated the quality of the wine which prospers and thrives on this soil. We will enjoy our dinner together.

In the morning, we will pay a visit to the main attraction in Beaune, the „Hôtel Dieu“. The magnificent Ehrenhof (forecourt), the late Gothic timber framed gallery and the pointed roofs, which are covered with colourful geometric patterns, are just as impressive as the famous „Beaune Altarpiece“ by the Fleming Rogier van der Weyden. Our final cycling route leads us through the Côte D’Or, back to Dijon, where we will be welcomed by the Hotel Océania Le Jura**** once again. We will end our journey in a restaurant popular with the locals.

As there is nothing on today’s programme, you will be able to arrange your departure individually. From Dijon via Straßburg, you can reach Cologne, Frankfurt and Munich on the same day. From Paris (which you can travel to with the TGV - high-speed rail service), there are flights to most German cities.

We gladly assist you on booking additional nights. All prices are on request. Please note, that it can be cheaper, when you book additional nights by yourself.