+33(0)2 54 78 62 52South Burgundy Loop, from Chalon to Mâcon
- A looping tour exclusively via greenways
- The vineyards and medieval villages of the Val Lamartinien
- Cluny and its Romanesque abbey
/ 4 testimonials
Reference : BU8
Difficulty : Easy
Round trip
From April to October
Departure: daily
Some questions about this trip ?
Contact us +33(0)2 54 78 62 52 or by email
> Download tour program
Your bike tour in South Burgundy
Explore Southern Burgundy, from Chalon to Mâcon, almost entirely on cycle paths!
Follow the banks of the Saône along the newly developed towpaths of the “Voie Bleue” before joining France’s first “Voie Verte”. This magnificent cycle route allows you to easily cross the Côte Chalonnaise and its famous Val Lamartinien, offering some of the most beautiful scenery in Burgundy! Cycle through the heart of the famous vineyards (from Pouilly Fuissé to Givry or St Véran) with breathtaking natural sites such as the Roche de Solutré in the background! And succumb to the charms of a magnificent historical heritage where Romanesque art reigns supreme: from the fascinating abbey town of Cluny, to the small private castles of Berzé-le-Châtel or Cormatin, to the historic centres of Tournus or St Gengoux le National.
Day 1 : Arrival in Chalon-sur-Saône
Take the time to discover the beautiful historic heart of the city of Nicéphore Niépce. Who was he? He was the inventor of photography! A major museum is dedicated to him.
Day 2 : Chalon-sur-Saône – Tournus | 34 km
For your first cycling stage, follow the banks of the Saône river before taking small roads to Ouroux-sur-Saône. The towpath along the river (the famous Voie Bleue!) then takes you quietly to Tournus, where the medieval streets and the magnificent Romanesque abbey church of St Philibert promise some great discoveries.
Tournus Tourisme
Free visit of the Hospices (former hospital) built in the 17th and 18th centuries. It has preserved all of its old rooms (three patients’ rooms and two chapels), fitted out with their original furniture: the traditional closed oak beds, still aligned around their central stove. The Hospices also houses a rich apothecary, including Nevers and Dijon ceramic and blown glass bottles.
Day 3 : Tournus – Mâcon | 32 km (or 41 km via the vineyards)
Keep on the Saône river banks! Pedal to the rhythm of the fishermen and the small Romanesque churches, with the Mâconnais vineyards in the background. Then reach Mâcon and its streets with their colourful facades and round-tiled roofs. Take time to stroll along its elegant quays… before heading to the lively terraces in the heart of the city.
Option: for wine lovers, a small detour via the vineyards is proposed.
Day 4 : Mâcon – Cluny | 30 km (or 36 km via the vineyards and Pierreclos)
After leaving the centre of Mâcon, take now the Voie Verte. This route offers a variety of magnificent landscapes. First of all, cross the Lamartinien valley, a series of small hills covered with vineyards so much appreciated by the French poet Lamartine, and where Berzé-le-Chatel and its medieval fortress stand proudly. Then head for the fascinating town of Cluny! The remains of its Romanesque abbey, scattered throughout the town, bear witness to its enormous size and the importance of the monastic order founded here in 910!
Option: we suggest a short trip to the castle of Pierreclos, which offers an exceptional view of the Roche de Solutré.
Alain DOIRE_Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Tourisme
Visit the Abbey of Cluny, former headquarters of the West biggest medieval monastic order: You will discover numerous monastic buildings and vestige of the main church partly destroyed during the French Revolution. You will be amazed by this place grandeur and will easily imagine the greatness of the abbey of the 10th century.
Day 5 : Cluny – Chalon-sur-Saône | 51 km
Make the most of your last day of cycling to admire once again the vineyards and countryside crossed by the Voie Verte… but also some of the other treasures on offer. Whether it is the castle of Cormatin and its gardens, a unique place in France with superbly preserved interiors dating back to the reign of Louis XIII; or the small village of St Gengoux-le-National whose medieval town promises an assured journey back in time. Then continue to Buxy and Givry (and their cooperative cellars!) before finally reaching Chalon-sur-Saône.
Departure at the end of the stage.
Possibility to book an extra night in Dijon.
OT Cluny
Discover the Chateau of Cormatin thanks to the guided visit of the 17th apartments, the main stairs, the 1900’s library and the kitchen. Keep going on your own with a walk in the gardens (flowerbeds, labyrinth, copse, the green theater, Lamartine’s walk, vegetable garden).
The little extra with Biking France (optional):
Our « Visit Package », with entrance fees to
. Hospices de Tournus
. château de Cormatin
. Cluny abbey
Select your category
- from April 1st to 30th
from October 1st to 31st - Departure: daily
285 € / pers.*
375 € / pers.*
- from May 1st to September 30th
- Departure: daily
285 € / pers.*
375 € / pers.*
Category's details
• 4 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
•
Luggage transport during the bike stages (1 luggage 20kg per person)
•
Equipped cycle rental for 4 days
•
1 travel folder (per room) including colour maps
•
A personalised navigation app showing points of interest along the route
•
City taxes
•
Hotline 7 days a week
• Dinners / Lunches / Drinks
•
Tickets to attractions, tours of attractions, tasting
•
Optional insurances (Cancellation Insurance OR Tranquility Insurance)
•
Single room supplement (4 nights included)
• 4 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
•
Luggage transport during the bike stages (1 luggage 20kg per person)
•
Equipped cycle rental for 4 days
•
1 travel folder (per room) including colour maps
•
A personalised navigation app showing points of interest along the route
•
City taxes
•
Hotline 7 days a week
• Dinners / Lunches / Drinks
•
Tickets to attractions, tours of attractions, tasting
•
Optional insurances (Cancellation Insurance OR Tranquility Insurance)
•
Single room supplement (4 nights included)
from 3 to 11 years old : - 20%
from 12 to 15 years old : - 10%
(Only if the triple or quadruple rooms are occupied by 2 adults minimum )
According to the category(price per person)
(accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
+ 65 € / pers.
+ 50 € / pers.*
+ 80 € / pers.
+ 55 € / pers.*
from 0 to 2 years old : free / from 3 to 11 years old : - 20% / from 12 to 15 years old : - 10%
(Only if the triple or quadruple rooms are occupied by 2 adults minimum )
Extras
If you bring your own bike.
. Hospices de Tournus
. château de Cormatin
. Cluny Abbey
(for children: a discount will be applied according to ages – after booking)
(in the case of a single person per booking)
Your accommodation
Your cycle hire
OPEN or CLOSED frame
- 1 rear pannier
- 1 handlebar pannier
- 1 repair kit
- 1 pump
- 1 lock per couple
Helmet not provided.
OPEN frame
- 1 rear pannier
- 1 handlebar pannier
- 1 repair kit
- 1 pump
- 1 lock per couple
Helmet not provided.
- Rental bikes will be available from our local partner.
- At the end of the tour, leave the rental bikes at your hotel, we will pick them up.
> How to arrive in Chalon sur Saône
> Return
Your journey
Tour description
Exclusively cycling paths or signposted routes for cyclists.
Bike stages trip profiles:
(click below to see the trip profile of each stage)
- stage Chalon-sur-Saône – Tournus : 34 km / elevation gain : 116m / elevation loss : 118m
- stage Tournus – Mâcon : 32 km / elevation gain : 68m / elevation loss : 72m
- stage Tournus – Mâcon (via vineyards) : 41 km / elevation gain : 405m / elevation loss : 414m
- stage Mâcon – Cluny (via Voie Verte) : 30 km / elevation gain : 368m / elevation loss : 297m
- stage Mâcon – Cluny (via Pierreclos) : 36 km / elevation gain : 587m / elevation loss : 516m
- stage Cluny – Chalon-sur-Saône : 51 km / elevation gain : 324m / elevation loss : 379m
Navigation app – personalized and detailed guidance system
Besides the maps, we also provide an application accessible on your smartphone that guides you as a GPS device and indicates the points of tourist interest on your route. You will also find the details of the accommodations of your trip and practical information.
How to arrive in Chalon sur Saône
By train:
From Paris Gare de Lyon train station >> Dijon ville train station >> Chalon-sur-Saône train station (about 2h45 by TGV train + train).
For more information, do not hesitate to visit : www.sncf.com/en
By plane:
- From Roissy CDG airport:
– Roissy Charles de Gaulle T.2 train station >> Lyon Part-Dieu train station (by TGV train) >> Dijon ville train station >> Chalon-sur-Saône train station station (by train).
www.parisaeroport.fr/en/passengers/access/paris-charles-de-gaulle/public-transport
- From Orly airport:
– Taxi transfer to Paris Gare de Lyon train station >> Dijon ville train station >> Chalon-sur-Saône train station (by TGV train + train).
– Bus shuttle (Orly Bus) : from Orly Sud > > Paris centre – stop ‘Denfert Rochereau’ >> Metro line 6 + line 14 >> Paris Gare de Lyon train station >> Dijon ville train station >> Chalon-sur-Saône train station (by TGV train + train).
http://aeroportorly.paris/orlybus.php
– Orly Val (automatic metro): from Orly Sud or Ouest >> Paris – stop ‘‘Chatelet les Halles’ >> RER D – stop ‘Paris Gare de Lyon’ >> Dijon ville train station >> Chalon-sur-Saône train station (by TGV train + train).
http://aeroportorly.paris/orlyval.php
www.transilien.com/en
www.ratp.fr/en/plans-lignes
- From Beauvais airport:
– Taxi transfer to Paris Gare de Lyon train station >> Dijon ville train station >> Chalon-sur-Saône train station (by TGV train + train).
– Bus shuttle >> Paris – stop ‘Porte Maillot’ >> Metro line 1 >> Paris Gare de Lyon train station >> Dijon ville train station >> Chalon-sur-Saône train station (by TGV train + train).
www.aeroportparisbeauvais.com/en/acces-et-transports/navettes/
- From Lyon – Saint Exupéry airport:
– ‘Rhonexpress’ TRAM transfer to Lyon Part-Dieu train station >> Dijon ville train station >> Chalon-sur-Saône train station (by TGV train + train).
https://www.rhonexpress.fr/en/access-and-schedules/23
https://www.lyonaeroports.com/acces-transports/tram-express
Return
If you have to return to Paris (city centre) / Paris Airports:
- A return transfer by train is possible and organised on your own. Please visit: www.sncf.com/en
Plan to go to the train station with your luggage (and your potential own bike)
(Personal bike return costs are on your responsibility.)
– Gare de Chalon-sur-Saône >> Dijon-ville train station >> Paris Gare de Lyon (by TGV train + train).
Nearby Airport:
– Lyon – Saint Exupéry Airport : www.lyonaeroports.com
Trip overall rating : / 4 testimonials
Australia
travel date: 07 August 2023.
Would definitely recommend to others.
France
travel date: 30 July 2023.
Itinéraire très agréable et facile (sauf petit passage très vallonné avant l’arrivée à Cluny), pistes cyclables parfaitement aménagées sur tout le parcours, y compris en ville. Nous avons bénéficié d’une sélection d’hôtels excellents, notamment sur le plan de la literie et des buffets de petits déjeuners.
Belgique
travel date: 12 June 2022.
Nous avons enchaîne des balades vélos dans les vignes et le long du canal de Bourgogne en alternance afin d’assurer une diversité de paysage. L’application Roadbook est vraiment bien faite et utile avec des explications au moment des points d’intérêt. On refera certainement une troisième balade avec Rando Vélo.
Suisse
travel date: 27 April 2022.
J’ai confiance quand je réserve avec Randovelo que les choix de routes, les hébergements, les services de location et bagages va être efficace
Some questions about this trip ?
Contact us +33(0)2 54 78 62 52 or by email
