Description
Starting in Chalon-sur-Saône, this 144 km cycling loop, which can be completed in 3 or 4 days, takes you to the heart of the vineyards of the Côte Chalonnaise and the Mâconnais. Between charming villages, exceptional heritage sites, safe greenways, and peaceful banks of the Saône, discover Givry, Cluny, Mâcon, Pont-de-Vaux, and Tournus along a route accessible to all. An ideal getaway to combine nature, culture, gastronomy, and the Burgundian art of living.
Starting in Chalon-sur-Saône, embark on a magnificent 144 km cycling loop to discover the most beautiful landscapes of Southern Burgundy. This route, which can be completed in three or four days depending on your preference, is suitable for families as well as experienced cyclists looking to combine nature, heritage, gastronomy, and vineyards. Primarily developed on greenways and safe cycle paths, the route offers very manageable terrain and passes through numerous towns and villages with shops, restaurants, accommodations, and services, allowing you to fully enjoy each stop. From Chalon-sur-Saône, a City of Art and History, you can quickly reach the renowned vineyards of the Côte Chalonnaise. Givry, whose wine was a favorite of King Henry IV, marks the beginning of a journey through wine-growing villages, hillsides, and rolling landscapes. Buxy and then Saint-Gengoux-le-National reveal remarkable medieval heritage before leading to the superb Renaissance Château de Cormatin, one of the jewels of Burgundy's heritage. The route then leads to Cluny, whose abbey was one of the most powerful in Europe during the Middle Ages. You then follow the legendary Burgundy Green Way, France's first greenway, inaugurated in 1997. Depending on the season, enjoy the ride through the spectacular 1.6 km long Bois Clair Tunnel (open from May to September) before continuing towards Mâcon. After a break on the banks of the Saône or in Mâcon's historic center, the return journey follows the Moselle-Saône Blue Way by bike. This route runs alongside the river in a peaceful setting, crosses Natura 2000 protected areas, and stops in Pont-de-Vaux and then Tournus, famous for its Saint-Philibert Abbey, its historic streets, and its renowned cuisine. The last few kilometers run along the Saône to Chalon-sur-Saône, where you can extend your stay by discovering the Saint-Vincent cathedral, the Nicéphore Niépce museum, the lively quays or the many terraces in the city center.