Experience a Tour de France Burgundy Vacation at Domaine de Cromey
Cycling In Burgundy France
View the Tour de France Burgundy Stages In Person
The 2024 Tour de France, which begins on 29th June and finishes on 21 July, is special for a number of reasons. Firstly, it’s the only one that has ever not finished in the capital Paris, due to the Olympic and Paralympic games that are happening. Secondly, there are Tour de France Burgundy stages where the race passes right through this region. Some of the towns that are appearing on the route list for the first time are located in our beloved Burgundy region, and will be very well-known to wine fans – they include Gevrey-Chambertin!
The Domaine de Cromey – home of Elden Selections in Burgundy, nestling among the vines near Couches – happens to be perfectly placed to provide a base at which holidaymakers can stay and plan their trips to the wider area. We throw Burgundy house parties, and Mix and Meet weeks, to allow guests to come to Burgundy and live like Lords and Ladies at this baronial manor house property. If you’re thinking of visiting this year, we’d love to hear from you! You can see a sample itinerary here, or fill in your booking enquiry at this link.
Let’s explore some of the stages of the world’s greatest cycling race that will pass close by to us, and look at how you can cycle these fantastic routes – and sample the wines along the way.
Tour de France Burgundy Stage 6: Macon to Dijon (163km)
After a wait of some 27 years, this year the Tour de France returns to Dijon, the city in Burgundy which holds so much of Burgundy’s history. From their start at Corpeau, the riders will pass through many different towns on this stage – Chassagne-Montrachet, Puligny-Montrachet, and
Meursault are the ones most associated with vineyards and world-class wines. A visit to any or all of them would make an excellent addition to any Burgundy holiday, especially a cycling holiday. How often can you say that your vacation took around one of the world’s most iconic sporting challenges, and that you even rode on part of the Tour de France course?
Tour de France Burgundy Stage 7: Nuits-Saint-Georges to Gevrey Chambertin (25km)
You may have heard of a route beloved by wine fans and those who wish to discover the gorgeous Burgundy countryside – it’s called the Route de Grands Crus de Bourgogne, and it is part of this Tour de France Burgundy stage. The villages and towns it contains reads like a high-end wine list. This route may well teach you more about climats and terroir than reading any number of books on the subject! Climat is a French term for a parcel of land, and terroir means the earth and rock that forms that land. Both are of critical importance in the Burgundy wine region, more so than in any other place in the world that produces wine. The soil type (and therefore the grapes it produces) changes almost yard by yard here, and the variety that winemakers can get from just the two grapes grown in Burgundy (almost entirely Chardonnay and Pinot Noir) is astonishing. The full route runs for 60km, and it was founded in 1937 and so is the oldest wine route in France. All in all, you’ll find 1,247 climats making up the route (more than enough to keep even the thirstiest traveller occupied), and you’ll see 37 villages and 2 major towns (Beaune and Dijon) if you travel the full route.
This seventh stage of the race will be a time-trial section. The towns that will be passed through on this stage will be mostly very familiar with anyone who has an interest in Burgundy wine:
Nuits-Saint-Georges,
Villars-Fontaine,
Messanges,
L'Etang-Vergy,
Reulle-Vergy,
Curley,
Chambolle-Musigny,
Morey-Saint-Denis,
Gevrey-Chambertin
This region - the Côte de Nuits – is a particularly fascinating region of Burgundy. It produces almost exclusively red wines, with earthy, oaky characters, and it is home to no fewer than 24 of Burgundy’s 33 Grand Crus. It is the northern half of the Côte d'Or wine region (the southern part being known as the Côte de Beaune). The best way to discover its most enigmatic and talented winemakers is to sample some of the wines on the wine shop at BurgundyWine.com which showcase this region like no other. To name but a few:
Domaine Pierre Thibert Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru 'Rue de Chaux'
Domaine Marchand Freres Morey Saint Denis 1er Cru 'Faconnieres'
Domaine Thierry Mortet Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru 'Les Beaux Bruns'
The Best Burgundy Cycling Vacations from Domaine de Cromey
If you enjoy staying active and exercising to maintain your physical and mental well-being, consider adding a cycling vacation in Burgundy to your bucket list. Fortunately, Domaine de Cromey specializes in hosting and organizing cycling trips. We collaborate with professional cycling guides, nature guides, and climbers to create the best itineraries and help you choose the ideal destinations for your desired holiday. We offer bike rentals, including electric bikes, to personalize the experience for our clients. Let's explore some of the best cycling routes in Burgundy:
Loop 1:
This cycling route covers the Cote de Beaune village, including Meursault, Blagny, Santenay, and Chassagne-Montrachet, over 42 miles. After about 30 miles, you can stop at the vineyards in Montrachet for wine tasting. (More details at this link).
Loop 2:
Starting from Cromey, this 31-mile route travels south and offers beautiful views of the Cote de Chalonnaise. Great restaurants are available, and you can do wine tasting in Rully, known for its great red wines. Consider stopping at other communes such as Maranges and Bouzeron along the way. Many cyclists consider this loop a must-visit. (More details at this link).
Loop 3:
This 27-mile cycling route west of Cromey passes through rural pasture and near the town of Couches, known for its castle and audio-guided tours. Other points of interest include Dracy-lès-Couches and Saint-Sernin-du-Plain. (More details at this link).
Benefits of Cycling in Burgundy
We hope you get to see some of the Tour de France Burgundy stages, but if not then why not book your own cycling trip? Cycling in Burgundy offers several benefits. The excellent cycling infrastructure in France and on the continent allows you to cover more ground. Cycling also allows you to access places not reachable by car and observe beautiful birdlife. It is a great way to stay fit and enjoy the outdoors, as well as providing an opportunity to set your own pace. Additionally, there's always a support van following the cycling tours from Cromey, contributing to a sense of safety. Lastly, cycling is an eco-friendly way to travel and provides a chance to join a friendly cycling community.
Top Tips for Planning a Burgundy Cycling Trip
When planning your Burgundy cycling routes, make sure to consider the fitness level of all party members, including yourself(!) It's a good idea to get some practice miles in at home to be ready for the trip. Additionally, remember to consider insurance options for bikes and equipment and declare any relevant medical conditions. Lastly, ensure that everyone in your group has similar expectations for the cycling holiday and is happy with the chosen routes to avoid any surprises during the trip.
For complete tasting notes on all our wines and access to specially hand-selected wines from our top small appellations and producers, consider joining our Burgundy Wine Club. As a member, you'll also have the chance to win a 4-day/3-night stay at Domaine de Cromey. Check out our Burgundy Vacation blog here, and for more blog articles about your favorite wines, visit the blog at BurgundyWine.com.
