Book a Cycling Trip Along Some of the Best Burgundy Cycling Routes

Two birds with one stone is often said to be very beneficial. Who doesn't want to get two things for the price of one? Nowadays, we have to grasp those opportunities when they arise (which is not very often...) Combining holidaying and exercise is just such an opportunity, and there are few better ways than booking a cycling trip along some of the best Burgundy cycling routes.

If you’re the sort of person who likes to be active, and enjoys exercising to keep your physical and mental health in tip-top condition, then a cycling vacation in Burgundy should be on your to-do list. Luckily for you, The Domaine de Cromey is expert in hosting and organising cycling trips. Working with professional cycling guides, nature guides and climbers alike, we offer the best itineraries and tell you exactly where’s best to go for the type of holiday you want. We’ve got bikes to hire – even electric ones! It’s all about making the experience personal for our clients. At Domaine de Cromey we tailor your trip to you and your guests preferences. So let’s take a look at some of the Burgundy cycling routes waiting to be discovered, the places you’ll see and the people you’ll meet along the way. 

Canals and waterways are some of the main arteries of Burgundy, and happily for the cyclist, they also make up some of the best and easiest cycling routes available. Of the more than 2,900km of incredible routes open to cyclists, many of them are along waterways. There are routes which follow the Nivernais Canal, which showcases the differences in character of the nearby rivers Yonne and Loire. It was originally established as a waterway to transport wool from the Morvan hills along the rivers for use in the fires of Paris.  

There is also the Canal de Bourgogne, some 242km long, with some truly spectacular locks, and at 378m high it is the highest canal in France. As there is now no commercial traffic on this canal, it has become especially beloved of tourists, and hotel barges can regularly be seen there. There is an excellent towpath throughout, apart from small sections at the summit level and through one tunnel. 

There are the Morvan mountains to discover too, as well as vineyards to cycle to for wine tasting, cellars to visit, castles to tour around – the list is almost endless. Feeling a little overwhelmed? Then let us give you three ready-made routes for you to try on us! And remember that for every cycling trip we host at Domaine de Cromey, there is a dedicated Cromey support van which follows the group, so you can always linger in a restaurant should you wish or return early if the heat gets a little too much, or you simply want to rest.  

You’ll see that these routes take in many of the appellations that we sell on our BurgundyWine.com website – smaller appellations, less well-known than some but as a result, much more reasonably priced. Because we’ve known these winemakers for years, we can guarantee the quality of the wines they produce, so you don’t need to worry about varying quality as you would if you were buying from elsewhere. And if you’re not sure which of the wines you come across will suit your palate, then we have the perfect solution for you – our Burgundy Wine Palate Advisor tool! Just choose from the categories we have carefully chosen and matched with our wines to see exactly what you can expect. It is built from the knowledge and tasting notes we’ve gathered over the last 35 years of loving - and living in - Burgundy. 

Our Favourite Burgundy Cycling Routes from Domaine de Cromey

Loop number 1:  

You may have heard about the superb wines coming out of the Cote de Beaune village such as Meursault, Blagny, Santenay and Chassagne-Montrachet. This cycling route takes in all of these villages over the course of 42 fascinating miles. There is the option after 30 miles or so to stop at the vineyards in world-famous Montrachet to do some wine tasting. (More details at this link). 

Loop number 2: 

Travelling south from Cromey, this 31-mile route takes in the astonishing vistas found in the Cote de Chalonnaise. Quality restaurants abound on this route, and there is ample opportunity for wine tasting at one of the homes of great red wines – Rully. There are other communes too which are worthy of your stopping time; consider Maranges and Bouzeron (the great exception to the rule that only Chardonnay white grapes are grown in Burgundy – for here they grow Aligoté).  We’ve heard seasoned cyclists say that, if they had only one day of riding, this is the one loop they would not want to miss. (More details at this link). 

Loop number 3: 

Out to the west of Cromey, this 27-mile cycling route is dominated by very rural pasture and the typical Charolais cattle found in these parts. It passes near to the wonderful town of Couches, with its castle and fascinating audio-guided tours, as well as Dracy-lès-Couches and Saint-Sernin-du-Plain. (More details at this link).                  

In case you’re not yet convinced of the benefits of cycling in Burgundy, one of the world’s premium wine growing regions, here are just a few to whet your appetite. 

What are the Benefits of Cycling on a Burgundy Wine Vacation? 

If you haven’t done a cycling trip before, or you’re unsure as to what these Burgundy cycling routes might add to your trip, then consider these benefits that you’ll get from biking to your destinations: 

• The infrastructure in France and on the continent in general is excellent, especially for cyclists and you’ll cover more ground than you would think in no time at all 

• You can access places you otherwise wouldn’t be able to get to in a car, and get up close to some of the most beautiful birdlife you can find – an ornithologist’s dream 

• You’ll be improving your physical and mental health at the same time as discovering the great sights of Burgundy 

• You can go at your own pace 

• There’ll always be a dedicated Cromey support van following every cycling tour 

• You’ll be helping the environment and reducing your emissions by being an eco-tourist 

• You get the chance to become part of a friendly cycling community 

Things to consider when planning your Burgundy cycling routes

Make sure you know the rough level of fitness of all the members of your party (and yourself!) beforehand. Get a few miles of practice in at home if possible so you’re ready and raring to go on arrival in Burgundy.  

It’s also a good idea to think about insurance – there is often a special category to use for bikes and equipment, and remember also to fully declare any medical conditions you may have.  

Lastly, it’s common sense to check that everyone in your group is wanting the same things out of your cycling holiday. Check you’re all on the same page, that everyone is happy with the Burgundy cycling routes you've chosen, and that there won’t be any surprises in store for anyone when they see what you have planned. 

You simply won’t find a better location to stay as a base for your Burgundy cycling trip than the Domaine de Cromey. It enables you to effortlessly combine the best food, drink, company, facilities and accommodation in Burgundy – to enquire about your trip, click here to make a booking enquiry.