• Romanesque Burgundy: the monk's trail

• 1 March - 31 October

• £575 (single supplement £170)

• 7 nights, 6 days walking moving between guest houses

• Walking through pretty historic villages which have little changed in centuries with romanesque style churches
• A picturesque landscape of rolling hills and secluded valleys covered in vines, pasture and forest.
• Wine tasting of the local chardonnay and visiting historic monuments
• The medieval cité of Brancion with its ancient chateau, church and quaint buildings
• Visiting the historic towns of Tournus with its Romanesque abbey and the remowned site of Cluny with its historic monuments (former site of the largest abbey in Europe).
• Lovely small guest houses serving great food.

• 7 nights in a mixture of good quality B&B's small hotels and auberges. The have been chosen for their local charm and warm welcome. Two evening meals included. Picnic lunches prepared by your hosts.

1. Transfers to and from Lyon if needed, 7 night's accommodation on a B&B basis. Five lunches and 3 evening meals. Full walking notes and maps, transport of luggage between guest houses

1. Travel to Lyon, France. Lunches on arrival and departure days plus day leaving from Tournus, four evening meals. Any excursions and entrance fees. Travel insurance

1. See full list of our independent walking holidays

   Take a look at our other self guided walking holiday in Burgnudy: Secret Burgundy - Chardonnay vines & historic villages

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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 for the grade, averaging 18km, although the ascents are relatively small and average a total of 325m in a day. The maximum distance on any one day is 20km although there is a shorter option available. Individual ascents and descents are generally no more than 150m at a time. 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.

Day 1: Arrival

Pick up from Lyon or direct to your accommodation in Tournus. A small, pretty town on the banks of the Saone River, famous for the Romanesque Abbey St Philibert at its centre.

Day 2: Tournus - Cruzille

Your walking trail leaves Tournus behind and quickly heads into the rolling countryside. Your first village en route is Ozenay with its chateaux and 12th century church. Your route follows a number of delightful small valleys with pasture bordering the streams and above chardonnay vines. Dinner and night at guest house in Cruzille. 16.5km, +380m

Day 3: Cruzille - Cluny

Today's walk climbs up onto the forested hills. You'll pass through a number of interesting and picturesque villages and hamlets. Charcuble has a chapel that was built in 24 hours during World War II, whilst Blanot is a beautiful village where time has stopped still. Traditional stone houses line narrow alleys in a lovely valley setting with a Clunisien priory and church at its heart. You'll finish your day at the small town of Cluny. This one of the most important historic towns of the region. Enjoy looking around the ruins of the Abbey and the historic properties that line the pretty streets. 19.5km, +520m

It is possible to have an extra night and day at Cluny

Day 4: Cluny - Ythaire

Your walking trail follows the edge of Grosne Valley through pretty villages, such as Flagy with its Romanesque church and Lournand. You'll pass a number of sites of historic interest such as the remains at St Hypolite and some rustic rural settlements as the valleys open out. 22km, +300m

Day 5: Ythaire - Bresse sur Grosne

Todays your walk starts by passing through pretty village of Malay with its remarkable Romanesque church. You'll then follow the flanks of hills to reach the historic village of St gengoux le National at the base of pretty hills surrounded by vines. This settlement surrounded by hills has a number of important historic buildings, due to its former importance as a royal seat. Your walking trail then crosses river plains to Bresse, passing the impressive chateau at Sercy. 17km +150m

Day 6: Bresse sur Grosne - Mancy

Easy walking takes you to the village of Chapaize with its beautiful early 11th century church. You'll then climb out of the valley onto the ridgeline and the medieval fortress of Brancion. This is a remarkable site with the remains of its chateau overlooking the rest of a well preserved hamlet protected by a series of walls. The hamlet contains delightful stone houses, an historic covered market and a Romanesque church on the hill top edge. After exploring Brancion, you'll follow the ridgetop before descending to Etrigny. 19km, +300m

Day 7: Mancy - Tournus

Your walking route goes back to the ridge and takes in impressive panoramic views. A number of pretty valleys and ridges will take you back to Tournus via vines and historic wine-makers shelters. Explore Tournus and its impressive abbey. 15km, +350m

Day 8: Departure

Breakfast and leave direct from Tournus or transfer to Lyon.

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