Information : The canal of Burgundy for families 4 days
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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 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.
Program : The canal of Burgundy for families 4 days
Dinner and night in 3 star hotel with fine gourmet restaurant.
D2
From Montbard to Marigny le Cahouët
36 km stage with total uphill 300 metres (level 3/5). Around 5hrs.
Perhaps the toughest day, physically speaking, but also the richest in terms of historical interest. The first section takes you towards the Burgundy Canal along narrow roads that reveal the wealth of the Burgundy countryside. The second is at the foot of Mount Auxois which evokes the celebrated battle of Alésia, 52BC, which enabled Julius Caesar to claim the then Gaul as part of the Roman Empire.
The day comes to an end in tranquility along the canal to your waterside residence.
Dinner and night in guesthouse.
D3
From Marigny le Cahouët to Vandenesse
39.5 km stage with total uphill 215 metres (level 2/5). Around 5 hrs15.
The whole of today's outing is along the Burgundy canal. The towpath rises gently up to Pouilly en Auxois, site of the watershed known as the "roof of western Europe"!
Then you go back down on the other side of the canal in the direction of the Mediterranean...
The high point of the day has to be the 3333metre long tunnel beneath Pouilly en Auxois, an immense creation which may be visited in the presence of a guide.
Night in guesthouse and dinner at restaurant.
D4
From Vandenesse to Montbard
40 km stage with total uphill 200 m (level 2/5). Around 5hrs.
This is one of the longest ride of the holiday. Very slightly downhill, the towpath has a smooth surface, a little compensation for the increased distance! It's a very pretty route along the Valley of the Ouche. This is a wilder, unspoilt part of Burgundy.,with fine traditional villages to see all along the valley. But leave, if you will, a little energy for the climb up to the railway station situated atop the village of Mâlain.
Return trip by taxi from Fleurey sur Ouche to Montbard.
*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 for the long stay : dinner at leasure.
2 and 3 star hotels and 3 "épis" guest houses.
Detailed roadbook and maps.
Update GPS tracks
Logistical and technical support.
Baggage transfer
Return transfer by taxi to Montbard.
Optional
Bike rental from :
Bike for adult or junior (from 1m45): 60 €
MTB for child (under 1m45) : 40 €
Trailer bike or bike cart for child : 40 €
Child seat : 6 €
Electric power bike rental for adult or junior (from 1m45) : 85 €
What's not included?
Privaite parking at the first hôtel, extra fee to be paied on the spot
Entrance fee to the visits recommanded
Beverage and extra
Round trip 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. We take your luggage from lodging to lodging and a roadbook will guide you from beginning to end. We also provide the logistical and technical support necessary.
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 have to be modified according to availability at the moment when final reservation is confirmed.
This circuit comes with half-board accommodation.
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
4.7
Organisation sérieuse, choix des hôtels pertinents et de qualité, parcours varié. Très bonne réactivité de Safrantours.
Certaines portions hors canal un peu techniques, VAE recommandé mais très satisfait de la prestation.
Un voyage très intéressant pour le canal, ses écluses et ses sympathiques éclusiers. Des gîtes d'étape parfaits. Merci aux différents propriétaires pour la qualité de leur accueil. Quant à la restauration, parler de gastronomie n'est pas exagéré, on est bien en Bourgogne.
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