Walking Holidays
France

Burgundy: The Monk's Trail

Our short break independent walking holiday in the southern Burgundy region of France explores a rich landscape full of historic treasures between the two religious towns of Tournus and Cluny. Medieval chateaux, historic Romanesque (early medieval) churches and old farms are set in beautiful rolling countryside carpeted with vines, pasture and forests.

The French region of Burgundy is well-known for its fine wines and gastronomic food, a reputation that is richly deserved. You will have plenty of opportunities to sample both during your short break self-guided walking holiday. In addition you will have plenty of time to see the varied and rich architectural delights of this relatively quiet corner of Burgundy, such as those found at Cluny, a very important spiritual, political and artistic centre of the Middle Ages with its Benedictine abbey. Your independent walking tour will start in the historic town of Tournus famous for its beautiful Romanesque abbey and will pass through the typically French, quaint medieval villages of Brancion, Ozenay, and Blanot. In addition, many of the other pretty villages that your walking holiday trail passes through have impressive churches and ramshackle rural buildings which seem to transport you to another time.

This French walking holiday in Burgundy will take you through a variety of experiences, including the famous Chardonnay vineyards bordering the Saône, the forests of the high ridges, the historic towns of Cluny and Tournus, and secluded valleys covered in a patchwork of pasture and vines.

Holiday Profile

5 nights/6 days: 4 days independent walking between guest houses

Dates

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

Walking Profile & Grade

This short break independent walking holiday is suitable for most occasional walkers (with a minimum of preparation). The walking distances for some days can be varied to suit your wishes. The distances vary between 12km and 19km on any given day. Although this part of Burgundy is hilly, the ascents are relatively small and average a total of 320m in a day. Individual ascents and descents are generally no more than 150m at a time. The walks allow for time to rest and take advantage of the interesting sites on route. The walking trails are generally good, although they can be rough and stony in places.

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

On this independent walking holiday in the South Burgundy region you will be staying in several charming, spacious and very comfortable guest houses (mainly bed & breakfasts and small hotels or auberges) full of local character (3 corns quality). All rooms have private bathrooms. 

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 long distance trail which you'll follow in part on most days. 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 so that 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,

• From €995 
• 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)