The canal of Burgundy for families

D1 Arrival in Montbard

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.

Departure.

In option : Dinner and night at your first hotel.