• Chardonnay Wine Trail

• 1 April - 31 October

• From £1035
• From €1150
• (€115, £100 for extra night HB at Fuissé)
• Please contact us concerning single supplement
• Loyalty scheme reduction applies for returning customers (see terms and conditions)

• 6 nights, 5 days walking through Chardonnay vineyards of Burgundy, moving between guest houses

• Wine tasting of the local chardonnay wines including the world famous Pouilly-Fuissé label.
• The Burgundy is a region synonymous with fine wine and great food
• Historically rich region with Romanesque churches, beautiful medieval villages and chateaux, ancient farmsteads and pre-historic sites
• The medieval fortress of Brancion with its ancient chateau, church and quaint buildings
• Picturesque countryside with rolling hills and rocky outcrops.
• A choice of walks on three of the days
• Beautiful guest houses in historic properties

• "I think this holiday has far exceeded our expectations and hope we will return to experience another region of France. Good to be out of the main tourist areas." E Hodgson, UK.
• "The most enjoyable walking holiday we have had in France - easy to follow guidance notes, splendid & varied accommodation - a wonderful overall experience. Would not hesitate to recommend to fellow walkers." C & M. Duck, UK See more customer comments on self guided walking holidays in Burgundy.

• Each night you'll be staying in a different guest house; most of which are chambres d'hôte style accommodation. They are 3 or 4 star equivalent in quality offering authentic and very comfortable accommodation. They are historic properties that have been lovingly restored where you'll be reserved a warm and generous welcome and enjoy mouth-watering home cooked fresh cuisine. You have the opportunity to book extra nights at your beautiful final guest house in Fuissé

1. Transfers to and from Lyon if needed, 6 night's accommodation in small guest houses. All breakfasts, 5 lunches on walking days and 4 evening meals. Full walking notes and maps, transport of luggage between guest houses.

1. Travel to Lyon, France. Lunches on arrival and departure days, two evening meals. Drinks in all but one of the guest houses Any excursions and entrance fees. Travel insurance.

1. Our Beaujolais Wine Trail can be combined with this holiday
2. Other wine trail walking holidays
3. See full list of our independent walking holidays

Walking Profile

This independent walking holiday in the Burgundy region of France is made up of 5 walks moving between guest houses. There are different walking trail options on 3 of the days meaning that the grade ranges from easy to moderate. With the easier options the walking includes an average of about 15km with less than 300m ascent and descent in the day, whilst the moderate options average 18km and include some extra ascents. The walk takes place on good paths and tracks with the odd section on small lanes. Some paths can be rough and stoney in places with the odd steeper section, so walking boots are essential.

Day 1: Arrival

Pick up from Lyon or direct to your accommodation near Tournus in the heart of the Chardonnay wine growing region.

Day 2: Chardonnay - Brancion

Your walking trail begins in the pretty village of Chardonnay, home of the Chardonnay grapes and natural starting point for our walking trail. Your first day traverses through chardonnay vines before reaching your first village en route - Ozenay with its chateau and beautiful 12th century church. You'll then pass through the rustic village of Royer where time seems to have stood still for centuries. Next you'll climb gradually to the medieval fortress of Brancion. This is a remarkable site with the remains of its chateau overlooking the rest of a well preserved hamlet protected by a series of walls. The hamlet contains delightful stone houses, a historic covered market and a Romanesque church on the hill top edge. 15km, +380m

Day 3: Brancion - St Gengoux de Scisse

To start with you have the choice of heading east to the pretty village of Chapelle sous Brancion set in a beautiful rolling countryside of pasture and vines. Climb back to the ridge and descend through vines to the wine village of Martailly les Brancion. Your walk then passes the beautiful chateau at Cruzille before reaching the village of Lugny. Chance to visit its cooperative wine cellar before heading to your guest house in the pretty village of St Gengoux de Scisse. 14km - 19km, +300m

Day 4: St Gengoux de Scisse - Azé

Today you'll have the choice of a couple of trails to reach your guest house in the pretty village of Aze. Either follow vine covered valleys or venture into the hills through pretty forests with great views. You'll have the chance to visit the caves at Azé an important site for primitive man, 400,000 years ago. Following this period the cave was occupied by bears for about 300,000 years and as a result it contains the most important fossil record of bears in Europe. 8 - 20km, +260m or 370m

Day 5: Igé - Pierreclos

Short transfer to Igé from where your walking trail takes you through a mixed landscape of vines and pasture, and over hills to the imposing chateau at Berzé le Chatel, first dating from the 11th century, with its three defensive walls and 13 towers (chance to visit). You then have the chance to visit the beautiful village of Berzé-la-Ville with its typical stone houses and double arcades, as well as the Chapell aux Moines containing some remarkable frescoes. Your walking trail continues through vines passing under some rocky outcrops and passing through a number of pretty villages such as Milly Lamartine. Your final cultural stop of the day, which is rich in architectural treasures is the beautiful 12th century chateau at Pierreclos. Your guided visit can include wine tasting. Your guest house is nearby in the shadow of the chateau. 15km or 20km, +410m or 560m

Day 6: Pierreclos - Fuissé

A great days walking through elegant vine covered slopes of the most famous vines of this part of Burgundy - Pouilly-Fuissé. Your walking trail takes you through picturesque countryside and past the Roche de Solutré, which you have the chance to ascend for amazing panoramic views from its summit. It is also the home of one of the most important pre-historic sites in Europe. The top and surrounds of this impressive rock, are covered in limestone specific grassland which is home to a rich flora and fauna. You then have a choice of routes to take you to your wonderful guest house at Fuissé located on a vineyard where you can try their quality Pouilly-Fuissé and Saint Véran wines. 14km +400m

Day 7: Departure

Breakfast and transfer to Lyon.

Optional extra day and night at Fuissé with a suggested additional walk

It is possible to take advantage of the beautiful guest house at Fuissé and book an extra night. A suggested walk for the next day will be provided visiting the pretty villages of Chasselay and Leynes.

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