Walking Holidays
France

Burgundy: Chardonnay Wine Trail

This wine trail self-guided walking holiday traverses the southern Burgundy, through the heart of the Chardonnay wine growing region. These white wines are dry and fruity with their most famous ambassadors being the full-bodied Pouilly-Fuissé and Saint Véran. You'll get the chance to sample both of them at your final guest house, which is located on a vineyard, as well as at other producers along the way. Your route takes you through the heart of the vineyards which cover the picturesque valley slopes

This independent walking holiday also explores a rich landscape full of historic treasures. Medieval chateaux, historic Romanesque churches and old 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 self-guided 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 the medieval villages of Brancion and Berzé le Chatel. In addition, many of the pretty villages that your walking trail passes through have impressive churches and their quaint historic streets seem to date from another time. Your walking tour starts near the historic town of Tournus in the heart of the Chardonnay area and heads south taking in many of the remarkable sites along the way to reach Fuissé close to the border with the Beaujolais region.

At the end of each day you'll be welcomed with open arms at your small, quality guest houses where the hospitality is excellent and you'll be treated to great local food and wine.

Holiday Profile

6 nights/7 days: 5 days independent walking between guest houses

Dates

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

Walking Profile & Grade

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.

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

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

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.

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 are also a number of other waymarkings including red and white markings of the GR76 which you'll occasionaly 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.

6 nights / 5 days walking between guest houses

• From €1410
• (€120 extra night HB at Fuissé)
• Prices are per person and based on 2 sharing a room (please contact us concerning single supplements)