• Beautiful Brionnais: Secret Hills of Burgundy

• April - End of October
• Starts with first night on Sunday and Monday. Other days are possible with slight changes to the holiday and price

• From £1145
• From €1270
• Prices per person & based on 2 sharing a room
• Please ask for single supplement charges
• Loyalty scheme reduction applies for returning customers (see terms and conditions)

• 7 nights, 6 days independent walking moving between guest houses

• Beautiful rolling countryside with a patchwork of vibrant green fields and hedgerows
• Great Burgundy hospitality at your lovely guest houses
• Immaculate historic villages and small towns with typical early medieval architecture
• Wonderful views from open ridges across unspoiled countryside towards the Beaujolais hills and the Loire Valley
• Visting the historic town of Charlieu and the hill top village of Semur en Brionnais, one of the prettiest villages in France
• Beautiful churches and amazing chateaux

• "It couldn't have been better. A perfect holiday for us - relatively easy walking; lots to see & do (natural history, churches, farms, language, people); eating & chatting with French people a huge plus; lovely food & drink; stress free because planning & payment already settled; very few non-French people around! Many thanks again for such a good holiday." J. Kay, UK
• "I thought the choice of accommodation was brilliant with each property ofering high levels of hospitality but all so different too." T. Whitehouse, UK
• See further customer comments regarding this and other self guided holidays in Burgundy.

• 7 nights in a mixture of wonderful quality small guest houses in historic properties. They have been chosen for their local charm, high standards and warm welcome. Full board accommodation (except one evening meal), evening meals are traditional and delicious local dishes and include wine (in all but one guest house). Picnic lunches prepared by your hosts.

1. Transfers to and from Lyon if needed, 7 night's full board accommodation (except one lunch and one evening meal). Full walking notes and maps, transport of luggage between guest houses.

1. Travel to Lyon, France. Lunches on arrival and departure days, plus one lunch and one evening meal. Any excursions and entrance fees. Travel insurance.

1. See full list of our independent walking holidays - Other Burgundy Holidays - Self-guided Centre-based walking holiday in Brionnais

2. Home Page

Walking Profile

This independent walking holiday is suitable for most walkers of an average fitness (with a minimum of preparation). The distances are relatively long and the days average nearly 18km, with a number of relatively small ascents throughout the days cumulating in an average of 330m per day. Some days include options allowing you to increase or reduce the difficulties. The walks allow for time to rest and take advantage of some of the interesting sites en route. The paths are generally good, although they can be rough and stony in places. Some parts of the walking trail follow minor roads

See also our centre-based walking holiday in the Brionnais

Day 1: Arrival

Pick up from Lyon or direct to your accommodation near in St Christophe en Brionnais. A warm welcome in a beautiful manor house with a warm welcome, fine cuisine and refined rooms.

Day 2: St Christophe-en-Brionnais - Anzy-le-Duc

Today's walk crosses a number of delightful valleys and ridges. You'll pass through the pretty village of Briant adorning a hill top position. You'll have great views as you pass over a couple of hills before descending to the beautiful historic village of Anzy-le-Duc with its priory and amazing church. 22km, +330m

Day 3: Anzy-le-Duc - Iguerande

Your walking trail takes you to the ridge top village of Semur-en-Brionnais, classed as one of the prettiest villages in France, with the oldest chateau in Burgundy and a beautiful historic church. Afterwards your route crosses a number of pretty valleys before descending to the pretty village of Iguerande, overlooking the Loire Valley with great views towards the Mont de Madeleine to the west. 14km, +320m

Day 4: Iguerande - Charlieu

You'll pass through the local vines which, although small in scale, cover 4 communes or parishes. In days gone by 4000 hectares of this area were once covered in vines, witness to the sunny nature of the climate in the Brionnais. With a mixture of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Gris, the production comes under the appellation Vin du Pays de Saone et Loire. Great views throughout the day including from the hilltop village of Fleury la Montagne. 18km +300m

Day 5: Charlieu - Coublanc

In the morning visit the historic town of Charlieu. Discover its pretty streets with a mix of stone and wooden frame buildings, and its benedictine abbey where you can admire its gothic cloisters. The trail then passes through secluded valleys and open ridges with far reaching views to reach the isolated village of Coublanc. 14km, +430m

Day 6: Chateauneuf - Clayette

Short transfer to the well preserved perched village of Chateauneuf in the Sornin Valley. Head towards the higher hills which border the edge of the Brionnais and Beaujolais regions. Beautiful rolling hills in a sleepy rural scene accompany you as you head east, where you climb gradually with the chance to reach the Medieval chapel sitting at 710m on the hill known as Dun. This hill was once the site of an important chateau from where the Lords ruled over a wide area. These days you can relax and enjoy the wonderful views. A pretty descent takes La Clayette with its lake and its wonderful chateau. Transfer to your guest house in Bois Ste Marie. min 17km, +410m

Day 7: Bois Ste Marie - St Christophe-en-Brionnais

Your walking trail heads east to reach the beautiful Chateau Dree, which can be visited along with it's gardens. Continue through beautiful gree rolling countryside with secluded valleys and open ridges with wonderful views across an unspoilt landscape dotted with farms and hamlets. Return to your guest house in St Christophe en Brionnais. 21km, +360m

Day 8: Departure

Breakfast and l transfer to Lyon.

Please note that your walking holiday may have different stops from that shown above, due to the availability of guest houses. This will not however, affect the overall walking circuit.