Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Mâcon, France
Highlights: Medieval town of Mâcon, French "flowered village", Burgundy wine region
Welcome to Mâcon. One of France's official "villes fleuries" (flowered villages), Mâcon is also home to some of France's best white Burgundy wines. Stroll through the narrow streets of the Medieval town and visit the apothecary of the Hotel Dieu (the historic public hospital) before fitting bicycles this afternoon. We'll have welcome drinks and introductions before dinner together this evening.    

Day 2: Loop ride through white Burgundy and red Beaujolais vineyards.
Highlights: cycle through rolling hills, wine tasting
After our safety talk this morning, we head off into the vineyards which blanket the rolling hills around Mâcon. These vineyards are best known for the white Burgundies and the red Beaujolais. Pedalling back to Mâcon through vineyards gets us in the mood for a wine tasting at our hotel before dinner on your own. Daily Mileage: 56 km (35 miles)    

Day 3: Bicycle from Mâcon to Tournus
Highlights: 10th Century Cluny Abbey, small farm villages, rural roads, Romanesque church of St. Philibert
Leaving Mâcon today, our ride takes us to the Romanesque abbey of Cluny. Built in 910, the abbey and monastery once held enormous power over the surrounding countryside and answered directly to the Pope. The church, destroyed in the early 10th century, is now a spectacular ruin. After lunch, we're off to the similarly famous church in Tournus (our destination today). We'll see many smaller Romanesque chapels along our route. These small chapels and churches remind us of the importance the Catholic Church had in this area in the Middle Ages. Take time to visit the Romanesque church of St. Philibert in Tournus this afternoon. It is famous for its unique pillars and vault. Dinner is together tonight. Daily Mileage: 68 km (42 miles).    

Day 4: Loop ride through vineyards and nearby castles
Highlights: Medieval towns and castles of Brancion and Cormatin, bicycle the hills of Burgundy, bicycle museum
We'll do a loop ride into the hills of Burgundy and through vineyards on the west bank of the Saone river today. Pedal through the Medieval towns of Brancion and Cormatin, with its fascinating bicycle museum. Stop and visit the Medieval castles if you have the chance. We'll pass several wine producers today - some of whom encourage visits if they are not too busy, so feel free to stop in. Alternatively, the local café in Cormatin or Brancion can sell you a taste of the local product! We're back in Tournus this afternoon in time for you to visit the town if you haven't yet had the chance. (Those who wish more of a workout can prolong their route through the entire "Mâcon Villages" wine production area.) Dinner is on your own this evening. Daily Mileage: 51 km (32 miles).    

Day 5: Bicycle from Tournus to Dracy-le-Fort
Highlights: Pedal small country roads past Chalon-sur-Saone
Our ride north today follows the Saone river toward Chalon-sur-Saone, passing through forested areas and farmland. We pass numerous rural villages as we pedal small country roads and lanes - watch for the cows in the road! Our hotel tonight is in the village of Dracy-le-Fort. The hotel owner is an avid amateur bicycle racer and will be happy to regale you with stories about racing in France. Relax by the pool or enjoy the hotel grounds before enjoying dinner together this evening. Daily Mileage: 56 km (35 miles)    

Day 6: Loop ride through forests and vineyards
Highlights: Bicycle the rolling hills of Burgundy and the plain of Bresse
Take a day off the bike or join us to pedal along the Burgundy Canal. This area has one of the most dense networks of rural roads anywhere in Europe. The foothills of the Jura Mountains lie to the east (are you tempted?) and these gently rolling roads simply call out to cyclist. Our loop goes north, across the Canal du Centre and up into famous wine country. We pass innumerable small towns, villages and hamlets as we loop west and north again back to our hotel in Dracy. We'll recommend a village or a picnic for a lunch stop and wish you one of the most carefree days you may ever have on a bicycle. Dinner together this evening. Daily Mileage: 30-60 km (19-38 miles) More at your option.    

Day 7: Bicycle from Dracy to Beaune
Highlights: Wine towns of Meursault (Chardonnay) and Pommard (Pinot Noir), Beaune's Hotel Dieu, wine tasting in Beaune
Some of the most famous Burgundy wine producing towns are on our route today. We pedal through Meursault (famous for its white Chardonnay) and Pommard (famous for its red Pinot Noir). The scenery is spectacular as we come out of the vineyards and hills and enter the town of Beaune. The epicenter of wine production in Burgundy, Beaune is also famous for its art and architecture. You'll have time to visit the elegant Hotel Dieu (15th Century charitable hospital) before our wine tasting together. We'll celebrate the end of our bicycle journey through Burgundy with a final dinner this evening. Daily Mileage: 46 km (29 miles) mostly on bike paths.    

Day 8: End tour in Beaune, France
Highlights:
Our bicycle adventure comes to an end this morning. You are on your own to visit more wine cellars in the area or to explore another part of France. Bon voyage!

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