• Burgundy: Historic Walks in Chardonnay Country

• 23 - 30 September

• £755 (single supplement £135)

• 7 nights: 6 days two-centre guided walking holiday.
• Find out more general information about our guided walking holidays

• Walking through pretty historic villages with medieval castles and romanesque style churches
• A picturesque Burgundy landscape of rolling hills, valleys covered in vines and rocky outcrops providing great views as far as the Alps
• Wine tasting of the local chardonnay and visiting historic monuments
• Visiting the historic town of Cluny with the remains of its influential abbey.
• Lovely small guest houses serving great food.

• 7 nights accommodation in small, very comfortable, chambres d'hôtes style guest houses, double and twin rooms with own bathrooms. (2 and 3 star equivalent) All breakfasts included, 6 quality packed lunches with wine and 6 delicious evening meals with wine

1. Airport and station transfers from Lyon.
2. Transport to and from the start of each walk
3. 7 night's accommodation.
4. All breakfasts, 6 evening meals with wine and 6 gourmet picnic lunches with wine
5. 6 guided walks and visits

1. Travel between the UK and Lyon, France
2. Lunches on the day of arrival and departure
3. One evening meal including drinks in a restaurant
4. Transfers, other than those from Lyon
5. Any excursions or entrance fees
6. Travel insurance

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Walking profile

The walks on this guided walking holiday average about 15km per day over undulating terrain. Individual ascents and descents are generally no more than 150m at a time, with a maximum of 400m in a day. The walks will alternate between longer and shorter walks, so as to allow time to recover and take advantage of some of the interesting sites on route. The paths are generally good, although they can be rough and stony in places. The walking holiday is suitable for the occasional walker (with a minimum of preparation) as well as those who walk more regularly.

Day 1: Arrival

Your French walking holiday starts with a welcome in Lyon and transfer to guest house. Debriefing and first of many gourmet evening meals.

Day 2: Berzé - Village and chateau

Your first day's walk is a fairly gentle introduction into some of the finest historic monuments of the region. We will first explore the historic village of Berzé la Ville with its pretty stone houses with double arcades decorated with flowers and supported by slender columns. Afterwards we'll ascend to the top of the Roche Coche which provides fantastic views over the village. Undulating pastures will lead us to the impressive 13th century chateau Berzé le Chatel with its 3 defensive walls and 13 towers. After lunch we can visit the chateau and then return by the hamlet of Vernay, little changed in centuries, and the chateau des Moines.

Day 3: Roche de Solutré

Today we'll visit the two pretty villages of Leynes and Chasselas in the extreme south of the Burgundy on the boundary of the Beaujolais. Afterwards we'll climb to the top of one of the most important landmarks in the area - the Roche de Soluté, site of pre-historic activities (dating back 35,000 years) and favourite walking spot of former president Mitterand. The top and surrounds of this impressive rock are covered in limestone specific grassland which is home to a rich flora and fauna. This rocky top provide amazing views of the surrounding Burgundy countryside. Afterwards we'll visit the village of Solutré-Pouilly, home of the famous full-bodied Pouilly-Fuissé chardonnay wines. Wine tasting visit.

Day 4: Pierreclos

Our walk climbs starts by ascending through vines onto a ridgeline above Pierreclos. The circuit returns by a series of small valleys which harbour the pretty villages of Sologny, Milly Lamartine and Bussieres. Each has it own 12th century church. You'll then have the opportunity of visiting the wonderful chateau at Pierreclos.

Day 5: Cluny & Mere Boitier

Today is a partial rest day where you'll have plenty of time to visit Cluny one of the most important historic towns of the region. Cluny grew up around the Benedictine Abbey which was founded in 910AD. Enjoy looking around the ruins of the Abbey and the historic medieval properties that line the pretty streets. Our day will also include a drive to the hills above the village of Tramayes where a short walk will take us to the highest point in the southern Burgundy for superb panoramic views.

Day 6: Brancion

Slightly further north, our day's walking includes visiting a number of pretty villages with romanesque churches. They are set in an undulating landscape of vines, pasture and forest with secluded valleys. The highlight of the day is visiting the hill top medieval village of Brancion surrounded by its defensive walls with its well preserved stone buildings which include the chateau (parts of which date from about 1000AD), the 12th century church and the impressive market hall built just after the religious wars.

Day 7: Blanot and the Grisson Valley

Our final day's walk explores the upper part of the pretty and secluded Grisson valley. A number of hamlets sit on bluffs just above the stream which meanders through a tapestry of green pastures and willows. Our route will follow this valley before rising up on to the hills above to find the village of Donzy which seems to date from another era. Our walk will finish by exploring the historic village of Blanot with its remarkable stone dwellings and its clunisien church and priory. Wine tasting visit.

Day 8: Departure

Breakfast and transfer to Lyon.