• Medieval Burgundy: The Monk's Trail

• 1 April - 31 October

• From £1060
• From €1175
• Price per person based on 2 sharing
• Please contact us about single supplements
• Loyalty scheme reduction applies for returning customers (see terms and conditions)

• 7 nights, 6 days walking moving between guest houses
• There is also a short break version of this walking holiday

• Walking through pretty historic villages which have little changed in centuries with romanesque style churches
• A picturesque landscape of rolling hills and secluded valleys covered in vines, pasture and forest.
• Wine tasting of the local chardonnay and visiting historic monuments
• The medieval cité of Brancion with its ancient chateau, church and quaint buildings
• Visiting the historic towns of Tournus with its Romanesque abbey and the remowned site of Cluny with its historic monuments (former site of the largest abbey in Europe).
• Lovely small guest houses serving great food.

• "I was impressed from the first moment I walked into my room at Aux Terrasses and got my personal walking notes (with my name on them.) Honestly, you couldn't make this holiday any better. Everything worked smoothly, the guest houses were wonderful, the hosts very welcoming, the paths lead exactly where I was told they were going and routes well thought through with plenty to see along the way. Will definitely book again!" I. Davies
• "The holiday was great because of the excellent itinerary through fabulous countryside and the chambre d'hotes gave us real contact with French people. The opportunity to practice speaking French was an unexpected bonus of the holiday" Mr D Burrows, UK. See further customer comments regarding this and other self guided holidays in Burgundy.

• 7 nights in a mixture of good quality B&B's small hotels and auberges. They have been chosen for their local charm and warm welcome. Three evening meals included. Picnic lunches prepared by your hosts.

1. Transfers to and from Lyon if needed, 7 night's accommodation on a B&B basis. Five lunches and 3 evening meals. Full walking notes and maps, transport of luggage between guest houses

1. Travel to Lyon, France. Lunches on arrival and departure days plus day leaving from Tournus, 4 evening meals. Any excursions and entrance fees. Travel insurance

1. See full list of our independent walking holidays

   Take a look at our other self guided walking holidays in Burgundy: Secret Burgundy - Chardonnay Vines & Historic Villages - Chardonnay Wine Trail

   Home Page

Walking Profile

This independent walking holiday is suitable for regular walkers of an average fitness (with a minimum of preparation). The distances are relatively long for the grade, averaging 20km, although the ascents are relatively small and average a total of 430m in a day. The maximum distance on any one day is 24km. Individual ascents and descents are generally no more than 150m at a time. The walks allow for time to rest and take advantage of some of the interesting sites on route. The paths are generally good, although they can be rough and stony in places.

Day 1: Arrival

Pick up from Lyon or from Tournus and transfer to wonderful guest house in St Gengoux de Scisse.

Day 2: St Gengoux de Scisse - Cluny

You'll pass through a number of interesting and picturesque villages and hamlets. Charcuble has a chapel that was built in 24 hours during World War II, whilst Blanot is a beautiful village where time has stopped still. Traditional stone houses line narrow alleys in a lovely valley setting with a Clunisien priory and church at its heart. Your route follows a number of delightful small valleys with pasture bordering the streams and above chardonnay vines. Then visit the quaint and secluded village of Donzy le Pertuis with its 11th century church. Great views from the ridgetop before you descend to finish your day at the small town of Cluny. 19km, +600m

Day 3: Cluny - Cortambert

Explore Cluny, one of the most important historic towns of the region. Enjoy looking around the ruins of the Abbey and the historic properties that line the pretty streets. A short walk in the afternoon with beautiful views. 9km, +160m

Day 4: Cortambert - Bresse sur Grosne

A gentle descent brings you down to the Grosne Valley and Cormatin with its beautiful 16th century chateau. Afterwards climb away from the valley again towards Uxelles with great views across the valley. Pass through the pretty village of Ougy where time seems to have stood still. There are various choices today according to your interests. 19km +300m

Day 5: Bresse sur Grosne - Brancion

Easy walking takes you to the village of Chapaize with its beautiful early 11th century church. You'll then climb out of the valley onto the ridgeline and 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, an historic covered market and a Romanesque church on the hill top edge. 14km, +320m

Day 6: Brancion - Tournus

Your first village en route is the rustic village of Royer before heading to Ozenay with its chateaux and 12th century church and historic chateau. Your walking route goes back to the ridge and takes in impressive panoramic views. A number of pretty valleys and ridges will take you back to Tournus via vines and historic wine-makers shelters. Explore Tournus and its impressive abbey. 18km, +410m

Day 7: Tournus - St Gengoux de Scisse

Walk south out of Tournus into rolling countryside. Follow a ridgeline to reach the village of Plottes and then the village of Chardonnay, home of the famous white wines. Your trail then passes through more vines and forest to reach the pretty village of Lugny and then St Gengoux de Scisse and return to your beautiful guest house. 23km, +530m

Day 8: Departure

Breakfast and transfer toTournus or 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.