• Beautiful Brionnais: Secret Hills of Burgundy

• Mid March - End of October

• £645 (single supplement £185)

• +

• 7 nights, 6 days independent walking moving between guest houses

• Beautiful rolling countryside with a patchwork of vibrant green fields and hedgerows
• Great Burgundy hospitality at your lovely guest houses
• Immaculate historic villages and small towns with typical early medieval architecture
• Wonderful views from open ridges across unspoiled countryside towards the Beaujolais hills and the Loire Valley
• Visting the historic town of Charlieu and the hill top village of Semur en Brionnais, one of the prettiest villages in France
• Beautiful churches and amazing chateaux

• 7 nights in a mixture of good quality small guest houses in historic properties including a couple of chateaux and two with swimming pools. They have been chosen for their local charm, high standards and warm welcome. Full board accommodation, evening meals are traditional and delicious local dishes and include wine (in all but one guest house). Picnic lunches prepared by your hosts.

1. Transfers to and from Lyon if needed, 7 night's full board accommodation . Full walking notes and maps, transport of luggage between guest houses

1. Travel to Lyon, France. Lunches on arrival and departure days. Any excursions and entrance fees. Travel insurance

1. See full list of our independent walking holidays

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Walking Profile

This independent walking holiday is suitable for most walkers of an average fitness (with a minimum of preparation). The distances are relatively long and it is for this reason rather than the nature of the hills that this walking holiday is graded at the upper end of the moderate grade. The days average nearly 20km, with a number of relatively small ascents throughout the days cumulating in an average of 400m per day. Some days include options allowing you to increase or reduce the difficulties. The walks allow for time to rest 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. Some parts of the walking trail follow minor roads

Day 1: Arrival

Pick up from Lyon or direct to your accommodation near Clayette. A warm welcome in a chateau in a lovely village where you'll get to sample some of the fine Charolais meat with your evening meal.

Day 2: Clayette - Amanze

Your walking trail starts by passing through Clayette with its wonderful chateau, before quickly heading west into the rolling countryside. Your first village en route is the picturesque St Laurent en Brionnais with its 12th century church. From a nearby hamlet, if the weather is fine you'll be able to count 17 church towers dotted in the surrounding hills and valleys. Your route then passes through Vareilles, another pretty village, before following a ridge to reach the rustic village of Amanze. Dinner and night at guest house in Amanze. 16km, +240m

Day 3: Amanze - Anzy-le-Duc

Today's walk crosses a number of delightful valleys and ridges. You'll pass through the pretty villages of Oye and Briant both adorning hill top positions. You'll have great views as you pass over a couple of hills before descending to the beautiful historic village of Anzy-le-Duc with its priory and amazing church. 22km, +480m

Day 4: Anzy-le-Duc - Iguerande

Your walking trail takes you to the ridge top village of Semur-en-Brionnais, classed as one of the prettiest villages in France, with the oldest chateau in Burgundy and a beautiful historic church. Afterwards your route crosses a number of pretty valleys before descending to the pretty village of Iguerande, overlooking the Loire Valley with great views towards the Mont de Madeleine to the west. You'll then cross the Loire to reach your guest house. 18.5km, +400m

Day 5: Iguerande - St Nizier sous Charlieu

Today you have the choice between an easy and a much longer walking trail. A wonderful days walking starts by climbing away from the Loire Valley You'll pass through the local vines which, although small in scale, cover 4 communes or parishes. In days gone by 4000 hectares of this area were once covered in vines, witness to the sunny nature of the climate in the Brionnais. With a mixture of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon gris, the production comes under the appellation Vin du Pays de Saone et Loire. Great views throughout the day including from the hilltop village of Fleury la Montagne. 16km or 25 km min +300m

Day 6: St Nizier sous Charlieu - Coublanc

From St Nizier sous Charlieu you'll take to higher ground, passing a few of the numerous chateaux or beautiful manor houses in the region, before descending to the historic town of Charlieu. Discover its pretty streets with a mix of stone and wooden frame buildings, and its benedictine abbey where you can admire its gothic cloisters. The trail then passes through the well preserved perched village of Chateaubeuf in the Sornin Valley before traversing a number of ridges and valleys to reach your guest house. 21km, +500m

Day 7: Coublanc - Clayette

Your last day's walking is a fitting finale to your holiday as you head towards the higher hills which border the edge of the Brionnais and Beaujolais regions. Beautiful rolling hills in a sleepy rural scene, accompany you as you head east where you climb gradually up to the Medieval chapel sitting at 710m on the hill known as Dun. This hill was once the site of an important chateau from where the Lords ruled over a wide area. These days you can relax and enjoy the wonderful views. A pretty descent takes you back to your first guest house near La Clayette. 24km, +550m

Day 8: Departure

Breakfast and leave direct from La Clayette or transfer to Lyon.

Please note that your walking holiday may have different stops from that shown above, due to the availability of guest houses. This will not however, affect the overall walking circuit.