Walking Holidays
France

The Brionnais

This unique centre-based walking holiday takes place in the Brionnais, an off-the-beaten-track region of southern Burgundy in France. In the shadow of the high Beaujolais hills, the green and picturesque hills of the Brionnais lead you towards the mighty Loire Valley. These rolling hills and valleys are made up of a patchwork of grazing fields and copses where you'll pass from beautiful secluded valleys with babbling streams to open ridges with great panoramic views. This secluded and quiet part of south west Burgundy is perhaps best known for its architectural treasures, which rival some of the more popular parts of Burgundy, a region known world-wide for its hospitality, and great food and wine.

A number of delightful villages, immaculately maintained and decorated with lovely floral displays, are home to fine Clunian churches and abbeys, as well as a number of other historic buildings. Clayette has an amazing chateau, whilst Semur-en-Brionnais, classed as one of the prettiest villages in France, sits on top of a ridge with its 10th century chateau St Hughes, the oldest one in Burgundy, overlooking the Burgundy hills. Inside its village walls you'll also discover a wonderful church and a number of historic houses, whilst on the outside, the valley slopes are planted with vines. Your centre-based walking holiday is based in two locations allowing you to see the best of the Brionnais at your own pace.

Find out more about the Southern Burgundy region, and the average weather conditions in the Burgundy

Holiday Profile

7 nights/8 days: 6 days centre-based walking

Dates

Everday of week subject to availability during 1 April to 31 October

Walking Profile & Grade

This independent centre-based walking holiday is suitable for most walkers of an average fitness (with a minimum of preparation). The walks are of varying distances meaning that you can choose the walk you wish to do based on the weather, how you are feeling etc. Walks vary between 8 and 18km, with a number of relatively small ascents throughout the day cumulating in an average height gain of about 300m per day. 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 muddy in places. Some parts of the walking trails follow minor roads.

This walking holiday is graded moderate. You should have some experience of day walking and be in reasonable health. See more information about walking grades.

Accommodation & Meals

7 nights in two high quality small guest houses in historic properties. Both are in chateaux and one has a swimming pool. They have been chosen for their local charm and character, high standards and warm welcome. Full board accommodation, evening meals are traditional and delicious local dishes. Picnic lunches prepared by your hosts.

When to Travel

Our self-guided walking holiday in the Burgundy is available from the beginning of April to the end of October. From April to October the Burgundy is generally warm, although it can be hot during the months of July and August. However, relative humidity is often low (except during unstable thundery weather.) Ideal walking temperatures (ie late teens to the low twenties centigrade) are generally experienced from late April to early June and from mid September to mid October. Rainfall becomes more and more sporadic and linked to thunderstorms as you move from spring to summer, and this continues into the Autumn. On average there is rain on one in every three days, but this is often for relatively short periods. Autumn is often characterised by warm sunny days. Sunshine totals are characteristic of its position in France and the sun's strength means that you must protect yourself against the sun even on overcast days. See more details about the Burgundy climate.

Other things to consider are the fact that the leaves are often not the trees or the vines until at least mid April. The grape picking season is often during the first couple of weeks of September and this provides added activity to the countryside. In October the Burgundy takes on a different character with autumn colours.

Navigation, Walking Notes & Maps

Most of this walking holiday follows local trails waymarked in yellow. There is a fairly dense network of signposts with place names and directions in the Burgundy. The walking follows clear paths, tracks and minor roads for its entire duration. Our walking notes are very detailed (more information here) and include intermediate distances for sections of the trail. They also include information about the sites which can be explored along the route. We supply one walking guide per person on this holiday. As well as the detailed walking notes we supply official walking maps produced by IGN at a scale of 1:25,000. Your trail is highlighted on the maps.

Luggage Transfers

On this walking holiday your main luggage is transferred between guest houses when you are transferred. There is also the possibility for you to walk between the two guest houses. This transfer is carried out by your guest houses. For your day walks you only have to carry a day rucksack with picnic lunch (supplied by the guest houses and included in the holiday price), water and spare clothes, waterproofs, camera etc. Please limit the weight of your bags where possible to 20kg. We only use hotels and small guest houses in historic buidlings and some of the rooms are accessible by stairs.

Travel Info

Transfers between Lyon Airport or train station and the Burgundy region of France are included in the price of your independent walking holiday. Pick ups are generally between 2 and 5pm. Please contact us if you require pick up at at different time. We can also pick you up from a hotel if you are st

7 nights / 6 days centre-based walking

• From €1210 
• Prices are per person and based on 2 sharing a room (please contact us concerning single supplements)
• Loyalty scheme reduction applies for returning customers (see terms and conditions)