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>>>TOUR REF >>>FACTFILE
BY
>>> FRANCE
Backroads of Burgundy
8 days Hotels Cycling in Wine Country
Itinerary Day 1 Eurostar and train from London to Montbard via Lille. 2 In Montbard, cycle to Abbaye de Fontenay. 3 Cycle to Semur-en-Auxois via Canal de Bourgogne. 4 In Semur, day rides to Flavigny sur Ozerain or Alise-Ste-Reine. 5 Cycle to Pouilly-en-Auxois. 6 Cycle to Beaune, explore vineyards. 7 Optional day ride from Beaune. 8 Taxi, train and Eurostar via Dijon and Lille to London. Accommodation & Meals: 7nts small hotel; 7 breakfasts included. See p45. Bicycles: 18 or 21 speed hybrid bicycles complete with pannier, water-bottle holder, lock and map holder. Daily distances day 01 day 02 day 03 day 04 day 05 day 06 day 07 day 08 Rest days or optional rides Grade & Terrain: Grade B moderate approx. 175km over 5 days, (average of 45km/day) plus additional optional day rides. Moderate cycling on quiet backroads and towpaths, enjoying picturesque villages, impressive historic sites and fine food and wines along the way. We cycle from village to village on just 3 days, allowing a range of day rides and other activities on the other days. You can ride independently or with group members. Cycling on 95% asphalt; 5% gravel tracks. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader/driver to assist, advise and co-ordinate. Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16.
30/40km 47km 30/56km 45km 45/60km 25/60km
Exploring Semur-en-Auxois/Brian Bestford CYCLE GRADE B
DATES & PRICES in £s per adult 8 days from London (Sat-Sat) 2008 deps 21 Jun-28 Jun 28 Jun-05 Jul 05 Jul-12 Jul 26 Jul-02 Aug 30 Aug-06 Sep 13 Sep-20 Sep 20 Sep-27 Sep 2009 deps 27 Jun-04 Jul 04 Jul-11 Jul Train Incl 549 549 549 549 549 549 549 Train Incl 569 569 Land Only 429 429 429 429 429 429 429 Land Only 449 449
Rich in culture, history and cuisine, Burgundy is one of the most fascinating areas of France. Our one week exploration by bicycle takes us along the historic Canal de Bourgogne and quiet backroads to fortified villages, chateaux and abbeys which bear testimony to the wealth and power of the church and state in medieval France. Our routes are flexible, average approx. 45km per day between nightstops, with the option to extend on longer routes according to the interest of the group, and there is plenty of time for relaxation or independent exploration.
Canal de Bourgogne From Montbard, we follow the quiet towpaths of the Canal de Bourgogne, built to forge a navigable route from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. We make the easy ride to the impressive Cistercian Abbaye de Fontenay, once run as a paper mill by the
Montgolfier family but now restored to its former glory and designated a World Heritage site. Chateaux & Walled Cities Continuing our route along the canal we pause at the captivating walled city of Flavigny-sur-Ozerain described as the Sleeping Beauty of Burgundy and famous for its aniseed balls and the setting for the film Chocolat before we reach Semur-enAuxois. Perched on a granite outcrop and nestling in a loop of the river Armançon, Semurs maze of houses and cobbled streets make it one of the most picturesque towns in Burgundy. Here we can simply relax and soak up the atmosphere or alternatively cycle out to visit some of the neighbouring chateaux as well as the optional diversion to the hill top village of Alise-Ste-Reine with its Roman remains. Vin et vélo! Winding our way through charming medieval villages and the elegant Chateau Commarin, we head deep into the heart of the Burgundy
wine growing region, which boasts such celebrated names as Pommard, Mersault, Nuits-St-George and, of course, the classic Cotes de Beaune. Basing ourselves in Beaune we aim to venture out and sample some of the regions fine wines and cheeses reputed to be the favourites of a certain Napoleon Bonaparte and a worthy reward after a days pedalling!
Cycling through traditional villages/Brian Bestford
From/To Lille
Backroads of Burgundy Ref BY
MONTBARD
Optional C a day rides Abbaye de Fontenay Alise-Ste-Reine Flavigny sur Ozerain
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SEMUR-EN -AUXOIS Lac de Pont
Scenic village route
B
FRANCE
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Chateau Commarin
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Dijon
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Land Only tour: 8 days - start Montbard day 1 (Sat), end Beaune day 8 (Sat) Plus Local Payment: ¬140 (approx £95) payable Montbard These are guide prices, see p46 for full details
POUILLY-EN -AUXOIS
Chateauneuf Nuits-St Optional visit -Georges
BEAUNE
km 0 30 Optional day rides Explore the wine-lands of Burgundy
Stopping at a vineyard/Brian Bestford
12
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