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 ploughs an invisible 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.
You'll love
seeing the many castles and mediaeval forts and villages all along the valley
riding along the towpath - ideal for cyclists and away from cars and company...
the visit to the Abbey of Fontenay
the Museoparc of Alésia, on the site of the great confrontation (52 BC) of the Romans led by Julius Caesar and the Gauls led by Vercingetorix. The Romans won against the odds, and Gaul (more-or-less today's France) became a province of Rome, a situation which lasted around 600 years! Much to see, and fun.
Things to see:
XVIII century park designed by the naturalist, Buffon. The orangery.
Dinner and night at the 3 star gourmet hotel-restaurant.
D2
Around Montbard
33 km with total uphill 200 metres (level 2/5). Duration around 4hrs.
The first day's cycling along the paths of Burgundy brings you to two places of great importance in the culture and heritage of the region: the Cistercian abbey at Fontenay and Buffon's "Grande Forge" (18th century iron works).
The day includes the passage through Montbard, Buffon's town, on a hill overlooked by a huge park around the remains of the château of the Dukes of Burgundy. And of course an encounter with the banks of the Burgundy Canal which will be, as it were, your guide throughout your stay.
As today's ride is in two loops, you can of course decide to visit just the Abbey or the Forge.
Dinner and night at the hotel.
D3
From Montbard to Semur en Auxois
33 km with total uphill 270 m (level 2/5). Duration about 4hrs.
Today's ride is mainly along the towpath. The last section leads you through the Burgundy countryside to mediaeval town of Semur. The slow rise up the canal is punctuated by a fair number of flower-bedecked locks: in fact in the 12 km stretch there are 37 of them!
You may like to leave the towpath to visit some of the high-built villages nearby all along the canal. There you'll find traditional old houses, venerable shops and the occasional château which still bears witness to a bygone age.
This evening you'll be staying in the old town of Semur built on a rocky outcrop.
Dinner at leasure and night at the hotel.
D4
From Semur en Auxois to Marigny le Cahouët
35.8 km with 300m rise (level 3/5). About 4hrs.
Today will be perhaps the hardest in terms of effort, but also the richest in historical interest. The first section leads you along pleasant narrow roads towards the Burgundy Canal through the lovely surrounding countryside.
The section is at the foot of Mount Auxois amid the remains of the crucial battle of Alésia which led to Julius Caesar taking ancient Gaul into the Roman Empire (52BC). Today's journey comes to an end along the old canal that leads you gently back to your waterside accommodation.
Dinner and night in a 3 star B+B at the side of the canal.
D5
From Marigny le Cahouët to Vandenesse
39.3 km with 215 metres of rise (level 2/5). Estimated time: 5hrs.
Today you follow the Burgundy canal all along. The towpath climbs gently up to Pouilly en Auxois, known as the "Roof of Western Europe". The itinerary is along the other side of the canal in the descending section in direction of the Mediterranean.
Today's high point will certainly be discovering the 3.333km tunnel that goes under Pouilly en Auxois. You can visit it in the company of a guide.
Dinner at the restaurant and night in guesthouse.
D6
Around Vandenesse
22 km total uphill of 310 m (level 3/5). About 3hrs15.
Very slight downhill section along a well-surfaced towpath that compensates for the distance. It's a very picturesque route along the Valley of the Ouche. This is one of the wilder unspoilt courners of Burgundy. You'll love looking around the gorgeous typical villages all along the valley.
Dinner at the restaurant and night in guesthouse.
D7
From Vandenesse to Montbard
40km with total altitude chage of 50metres! (Level 2/5). Duration about 5hrs.
This is one of the longest stage of your holiday. A gentle downhill run on the towpath with a smooth surface softens the blow of the distance to go! Pretty route through the alley of the Ouche . Here, Burgundy is at its unspoilt best. You're sure to enjoy visiting the picturesque traditional Burgundy villages all along the valley.
Transfer back from Fleurey sur Ouche to Montbard by taxi.
*Rates based on a room shared with two adults. Single-parent families, please contact us.
What's included?
Half board except in Semur en Auxois : dining out
2 and 3 star hotels and 3 "épis" guest houses.
Detailed roadbook and maps.
Logistical and technical support.
Baggage transfer
Return transfer by taxi to Montbard.
Optional
Bike rental from :
Bike for adult or junior (from 1m45) : 100 €
MTB for child (under 1m45) : 60 €
Trailer bike or bike cart for child : 60 €
Child seat : 10 €
Electric power bike rental for adult or junior (from 1m45) : 150 €
Extra night in Montbard : on request
What's not included ?
Parking at the first accomodation throughtout the stay : to pay directly
Dinner on day 3
Beverage and extra
Entrance fees for the visits
Return transfer from Home to the first accomodation
Facultative cancellation and rapatriation insurance
Characteristics of circuits
Family cycling holiday going from place to place.
Daily stages between 33 and 39 kilometres, around 4hrs to 5hrs at your own pace.
Total daily uphill: 50 - 300 metres.
Altitude: from 200 to 500 metres
Towpath and quiet little country roads
Suitable for country bikes
Organisation
These holidays are much more about relaxed exploration than athletic performance. Your roadbook will guide you from beginning to end, and we provide the logistical and technical support necessary.
On longer holidays you change accommodation every other day, which gives you the chance to better explore your surroundings or simply take your time and relax...
Half-board accommodation is in either 2 or 3 star/"épis" hotels or guest houses chosen for their atmosphere, warm welcome and environmental and architectural setting. N.B : the accommodation described above is given as an indication and may vary according to availability at the moment your reservation is finalized.
The circuits proposed are half board.
Access
By car
Highway A6 exit Bierre-les-Semur
By air
Paris airports or Lyon St-Exupéry airport
By train
Montbard railway station. The accommodation is at 10mn on foot.
Comments
Global note
4.0
Une très belle expérience avec la famille et Safrantours. Un séjour bucolique le long du canal de Bourgogne en vélo avec des journées torrides. la famille se souviendra de la montée à Alizée Sainte Reine pour découvrir la statue de Vercingétorix. On a recherché fraicheur et quiétude chez Chanoine Kir. Merci Safrantours.
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