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The prime ambition of this holiday is to discover Burgundy (French "Bourgogne") with your family and at your own pace. The towpath winds almost a hundred kilometres from the town of Montbard to the village of Pont de Pany. The first part of the route goes up the canal from lock to lock reaching its high point at Pouilly-en-Auxois.
Then in the second part you coast down to the bottom of the Valley of the Ouche (you won't feel a thing!). On the longer holidays, there are two nights for each stage, which gives you a chance to get to know the region a little better and to visit some of the numerous castles and mediaeval villages lining the valley.
Here, time seems to have less importance. The past lives on in the churches and castles of yore, the water of the canal seems to doze, stirring only from time to time at the gentle slow passage of barges, while a cyclist plies a sightless furrow along the towpath. And you can simply enjoy this benevolent langour...effortlessly.
A circuit suitable for children over 8 years old who will appreciate the mediaeval ambiance and visits to castles and abbeys.
Holidays from April to October.
You can begin your stay any day April - June and September - October.
In the high season, holidays start on odd dates (1st, 3rd, 5th...) in July, and even dates (2nd, 4th, 6th...) in August.
Itineraries (please click for details)
8 days / 7 nights 
4 days / 3 nights
Characteristics of circuits
Difficulty: 2/5
Daily stages between 20 and 37 kilometres
Total daily uphill: 100 - 250 metres.
Altitude: from 200 to 500 metres
Towpath and quiet little country roads
Suitable for country bikes
Arrivals: odd days in July, even days in August
What's included?
Half board
2 star hotels and 3 "épis" guest houses
Baggage transfer
Detailed roadbook and maps
Logistical ans technical support
Return transport by train to Monbard
Reservation request
Booking form
Once you've filled in the form, Safran will suggest a made-to-measure holiday adapted to your personally chosen dates during the week or at the weekend.
Tariffs 2012
| Price per person, on the basis of two people sharing same room | Additional services | |||||||
| Duration | July - August | Low Season | Child 6 - 11 | Child 2 - 5 | Child under 2 | Bike rental Adult | Bike rental Child | Baby seat rental |
| 8d/7n | € 655 | € 615 | -30% | -50% | € 80 | € 90 | € 55 | € 11 |
| 4d/3n | - | € 315 | -30% | -50% | € 35 | € 55 | € 35 | € 6 |
| Reduction if children share parents' room | ||||||||
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The Burgundy Canal and its "Vault"
 Begun in 1775, the "canal de Bourgogne" links two rivers - the Seine and the Saône. The watershed between the Seine and Rhône basins lies in this region, and at Pouilly in the 3333 metre long tunnel known as "la Voûte" (the vault) the canal passes from one basin to the other.Minors took no less than seven years to make this tunnel. The bargees needed a massive 10 hours to get from one end to the other, which is why in 1867 a steam winch was installed to pull them through by a submerged chain. In 1893 the old winch was replaced by an electric version, and the time was reduced to 2 hours. Another difficulty had to be overcome. Unladen boats riding high in the water scraped the low vault. The solution was found in 1910: a transporter vessel was put into service and barges steered into it. After letting out part of the water in the transporter, the barge setlled to a lower position and could now be towed through the tunnel by the winch! Nowadays the rare remaining barges go through alone. And to do that, the entire reach (water between two locks) has to be partially drained... |
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Agence Safran - Les Cascades - F. 26400 Mirabel et Blacons
Tel. +33 (0)4 75 25 78 78 - Fax +33 (0)4 75 25 78 79
info@safrantours.com - Agence de voyages LI.026.99.0001