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At a Glance

Your Holiday at a Glance


   
Independent Walking Holiday

Secret Burgundy:

Chardonnay Vines &

Historic Villages

Dates for 2023
  • From the beginning of April to the end of October (depending on availability)
Price
  • From £945
  • From €1050
  • Price per person based on 2 sharing a room
  • Please contact us for single supplements
  • Loyalty scheme reduction applies for returning customers (see terms and conditions)
Grade
  • walking grade moderate walks+
Profile
Highlights
  • The Burgundy is a region synonymous with fine wine and great food
  • Historically rich region with Romanesque churches, medieval villages, chateaux, ancient farmsteads and pre-historic sites
  • Visit the remowned site of Cluny with its historic monuments (former site of the largest abbey in Europe)
  • Lovely walking through unspoilt picturesque countryside alternating between vines, woodland and intimate valleys
  • Beautiful guest houses in historic properties
Testimonials
  • "We loved staying in the guest houses and this is a point of difference to other French walking holidays we have done. They were diverse and interesting and provided an opportunity to interact with both hosts and other guests in a mixture of English and our basic French. Pierreclos was a pure delight and we were so looking forward to returning at the conclusion of the walk. Food, wine and hospitality was outstanding there as well as in Mazille. The quiet tracks and villages were beautiful. High Point Holidays and Burgundy are highly recommended to other walkers. Thank you very much! " S. Begg, Australia
  • More customer comments from self guided walking holidays in Burgundy
Accommodation and Meals
  • Each night you'll be staying in a different guest house; all of which are chambres d'hôte style accommodation. They are 3 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.
What's included
  1. Transfers to and from Lyon (if required), 6 night's accommodation. Full board whilst on trek, (with the exception of one evening meal). Full walking notes and maps, transport of luggage between guest houses.
What's not included
  1. Travel to Lyon, France. Lunches on arrival and departure days, plus one evening meal. Any excursions and entrance fees. Travel insurance.
 

See full list of our independent walking holidays

See our other self guided walking holiday in southern Burgundy

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Walks

Secret Burgundy - Chardonnay Vines & Historic Villages

Our Independent walking holiday in the southern Burgundy region of France explores a rich landscape full of historic treasures. Medieval villages, historic chateaux, historic churches and farms are set in beautiful rolling countryside carpeted with vines, pasture and forests. A number of rocky outcrops punctuate the vineyards such as the celebrated “Roche de Solutré” important for its pre-historic human activity. These landmarks provide exceptional viewing points to admire the surrounding countryside.

The Burgundy region is well-known for its fine wine and gastronomic food, a reputation that is richly deserved. You will have plenty of opportunity to sample both during your walking holiday. In addition you will have plenty of time to see the varied and rich architectural delights of the region, such as those found at Cluny, a very important spiritual, political and artistic centre of the Middle Ages with its Benedictine abbey. In addition, many of the pretty villages you will travel through have splendid chateaux and impressive churches, such as that at Berzé le Chatel.

Your self guided walking holiday will take you through a variety of experiences, including the famous Maconnais vineyards bordering the Saône, the forests of the high ridges, the historic town of Cluny, and secluded valleys covered in a patchwork of grazing fields.

Find out more about the Southern Burgundy region and the historic town of Cluny & the average weather conditions in the Burgundy

Walking profile

This independent walking holiday is at the upper end of the moderate walking grade with 4 relatively long days and one easy day. The walks average about 16km per day over undulating terrain. The maximum distance on any one day is 20km although there is a shorter option available. Individual ascents and descents are generally no more than 250m at a time. Average daily ascent is 470m, although 3 of the days include slightly more than 500m of ascent. 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. The holiday is suitable for regular walkers (with a minimum of preparation).

 

Burgundy location France independent walking holidays

 

Day 1: Arrival

Welcome in Lyon and transfer to guest house in large secluded property in a picturesque valley. Debriefing and first of many gourmet evening meals.

Day 2: Pierreclos to Cluny

You'll first pass through a number of pretty villages such as Milly Lamartine and Berzé la Ville with its typical stone houses and double arcades. Afterwards you'll climb above the vines to the top of the Roche Coche for breathtaking views. You'll then pass by the imposing chateau at Berzé le Chatel with its three defensive walls and 13 towers (chance to visit). Then leave the vines behind to climb steadily onto the surrounding wooded ridgeline before descending to the historic town of Cluny. Despite the ascent, the day is reasonably short and will give you an opportunity to relax before or after the walk. 17-21km, +560m

Day 3: Cluny - Mazille

Today you have plenty of time in the morning to visit 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. Your walk takes a scenic route to Mazille passing through a small intimate landscape of pasture and copses. Pretty villages each with their own Romanesque church are dotted throughout the countryside. In addition, Mazille contains a monks priory. 11km, +370m

Day 4: Mazille - Tramayes

Your walk climbs onto a picturesque ridge providing stunning views in all directions. You'll descend breifly to St Point with its lakes and the Chateau Lamartine, before gently ascending a pretty valley to reach Tramayes. This is a wonderful location offering great views out over the timeless agricultural scene. 15km, +520m

Day 5: Tramayes - Fuissé

This is your longest days walk. The ascent from Tramayes is beautiful and secluded as you enter a remote agricultural scene little changed in centuries. Your trail crosses two forested ridge lines by their lowest points to emerge on the upper slopes of the Maconnais vines, at the point where they merge with the Beaujolais region to the south. A dense network of valleys means that the views change with each twist and turn in the path. You'll then stay in one of the celebrated local wine regions of the southern Burgundy. Wine tasting. 19.5km, +535m

Day 6: Fuissé - Pierreclos

A great days walking through elegant vine covered slopes. Your walking route takes you through the pretty villages of Leynes and Chasselas before reaching the top of the Roche de Soluté, site of pre-historic activities (dating back 35,000 years and favourite walking spot of former president Mitterrand). The top and surrounds of this impressive rock, as well as those at Vergisson are covered in limestone specific grassland which is home to a rich flora and fauna. These rocky tops provide amazing views of the surrounding Burgundy countryside. 15 or 23km, +400m or +580m

Day 7: Departure

Breakfast and transfer to Lyon.

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

 

Pierreclos Burgundy France independent walking holiday

cluny histroic town in Burgundy France on independent walking holiday

view of Berze la ville in Burgundy French independent walking holiday

Southern Burgundy landscape France independent walking holiday

self guided or independent walking holiday passes by Berze le chatel

pastures above tramayes independent french walks

view from roche solutre on walking holiday in Burgundy France

Book this holiday

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For useful advice about independent walking and preparing for your self guided holidays please take a look at the articles in our top-tips section.

Once you have booked on this independent walking holiday in the Burgundy region of France, further information about the walking, the region and what to bring, will be sent to you. We do have a web page dedicated to what clothes and equipment you should bring. In addition, our travel shop has direct access to all the top walking and travel retailers. Please contact us if you need any further information.

Bed

Accommodation & Meals


On this independent walking holiday in southern Burgundy you will be staying in a number of charming, spacious and very comfortable guest houses (mainly bed & breakfasts) full of local character (3 corns quality). All rooms have private bathrooms. Examples of the guest houses are shown below.

A hearty and healthy continental breakfast provides the perfect opportunity to discover the local specialities such as home-made jams and local cheeses. At midday you will eat packed lunches lovingly prepared by your hosts. Most evening meals will be taken at your guest houses with your hosts, where you will be treated to local delicacies and have the opportunity to discover more about the region and its people. Two meals will be taken in a local restaurant where you will have a choice of menus. (These two meals are not included in the price of the holiday). Local specialities will be available to try every evening.

Name Type Details Rating  
La Source des Fees B&B Great 16th century house located on a vineyard in the heart of the village of Fuissé providing high quality accommodation and great food. Wine tasting of their Pouilly-Fuissé and Saint Veran. 4 corns Accommodation
Domaine du Vernay B&B 18th century stone farmhouse at a former vineyard in Mazille. Pretty village overlooking the Grosne valley 3 Corns Domaine du Vernay Mazille Burgundy France
La Maison des Gardes B&B A rustic feel to this historic property near the centre of Cluny. Lovely wooded courtyard and warm welcome from your hosts. 3 Corns maison gardes cluny guest house in France Burgundy
Travel Options

Travel Options


Transfers between Lyon Airport or Lyon train stations and the southern Burgundy region of France are included in the price of your independent walking holiday.

Flight Options

Transfers from Lyon airport

he airlines Easy jet, Flybe and British Airways have scheduled flights from the UK - Luton, Birmingham, Gatwick, Edinburgh and Heathrow to Lyon St Exupery airport.

Please visit our travel shop for links to useful sites for reserving airport parking or booking train tickets to the UK airports

Note: Please check concerning the availability of a holiday before booking any flights. If you need further information or would like to discuss any aspect of your travel arrangements, please contact us, we’re here to help you. We would be happy to book travel arrangements to Lyon, France on your behalf.

By Train

Eurostar and the TGV provide a relaxing journey from London to Lyon Part Dieu direct and changing at Lille or Paris. Please use Rail Europe's train finder on our travel shop page to organise your train journey.

There is a practical train time leaving London at 9am and arriving in Lyon at 3pm. Please contact us before booking to check for other practical times.

Self Drive

Channel ferry crossings from Dover are provided by a number of operators including P&O Ferries & DFDS seaways. Crossings are also provided by train with Eurotunnel.

Once in France, the journey from Calais to the Burgundy area takes about 6 and a half hours (excluding long breaks).

Tolls amount to about 35 euros each way. Controlled parking is available at the airport for 50 euros. Other secure but non-surveilled parking is available free of charge.

Photos

Photos


pierreclos chateau Burgundy holiday France independent walking
view from roche solutre on independent french walking holiday
walking holiday in France church at Mazille
historic centre of cluny in burgundy on hiking holiday
berze la ville independent walks in Burgundy France
berze le chatel in south burgundy on independent walking holiday in France