Walking Holidays
France

The Brionnais

This unique independent walking holiday takes place in the Brionnais, a secret region of Burgundy in central France. In the shadow of the high Beaujolais hills, the green and picturesque hills of the Brionnais lead you towards the mighty Loire Valley. These rolling hills and valleys are made up of a patchwork of fields and you'll pass from beautiful secluded valleys with babbling streams to open ridges with great panoramic views. This secluded and quiet part of south west Burgundy also has a number of architectural treasures to rival some of the more popular parts of Burgundy, a region known worldwide for its hospitality, and great food and wine.

A number of delightful villages, immaculately maintained and decorated with lovely floral displays, are home to fine Clunian churches and abbeys, as well as a number of other historic buildings. Clayette has an amazing chateau, whilst Charlieu houses a magnificent abbey. Semur-en-Brionnais, classed as one of the prettiest villages in France, sits on top of a ridge with its 10th-century chateau St Hughes, the oldest one in Burgundy, overlooking the Burgundy hills. Inside its village walls you'll also discover a wonderful church and several historic houses, whilst on the outside, the valley slopes are planted with vines. Your self-guided walking tour takes a circular trail through the Brionnais, flirting at its eastern end with the Beaujolais hills and in the west descending down to the Loire Valley.

Holiday Profile

7 nights/8 days: 6 days independent walking between guest houses

Dates

Everyday of week subject to availability during 1 April to 31 October

Walking Profile & Grade

This independent walking holiday is suitable for most walkers of average fitness (with a minimum of preparation). The distances are relatively long and the days average nearly 18km, with a number of relatively small ascents throughout the days cumulating in an average of 330m 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 en route. The paths are generally good, although they can be rough and stony in places. Some parts of the walking trail follow minor roads.

This walking holiday is graded moderate. You should have some experience of day walking and be in reasonable health. See more information about walking grades.

Accommodation & Meals

On this independent walking holiday in the South Burgundy region you will be staying 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 (except one evening meal), evening meals are traditional and delicious local dishes and include wine (in all but one guest house). Picnic lunches prepared by your hosts.

When to Travel

Our self-guided walking holiday in the Burgundy is available from the beginning of April to the end of October. From April to October the Burgundy is generally warm, although it can be hot during the months of July and August. However, relative humidity is often low (except during unstable thundery weather.) Ideal walking temperatures (ie late teens to the low twenties centigrade) are generally experienced from late April to early June and from mid September to mid October. Rainfall becomes more and more sporadic and linked to thunderstorms as you move from spring to summer, and this continues into the Autumn. On average there is rain on one in every three days, but this is often for relatively short periods. Autumn is often characterised by warm sunny days. Sunshine totals are characteristic of its position in France and the sun's strength means that you must protect yourself against the sun even on overcast days. See more details about the Burgundy climate.

Other things to consider are the fact that the leaves are often not the trees or the vines until at least mid April. The grape picking season is often during the first couple of weeks of September and this provides added activity to the countryside. In October the Burgundy takes on a different character with autumn colours.

Navigation, Walking Notes & Maps

Most of this walking holiday follows local trails waymarked in yellow. There are also a number of other waymarkings for example for the area around Charlieu. There is a fairly dense network of signposts with place names and directions in the Burgundy. The walking follows clear paths, tracks and minor roads for its entire duration. Our walking notes are very detailed (more information here) and include intermediate distances for sections of the trail. They also include information about the sites which can be explored along the route. We supply one walking guide per person on this holiday. As well as the detailed walking notes we supply official walking maps produced by the IGN.

Luggage Transfers

On this walking holiday your main luggage is transferred between guest houses so that you only have to carry a day rucksack with picnic lunch (supplied by the guest houses and included in the holiday price), water and spare clothes, waterproofs, camera etc. On your Brionnais walking holiday your luggage transfers are carried out by a mixture of the guest houses, a represenatative of High Point Holidays or a trusted local taxi company. Please limit the weight of your bags where possible to 20kg. We only use hotels and small guest houses in historic buidlings and some of the rooms are accessible by stairs.

7 nights / 6 days walking between guest houses

• From €1595 per person
• Prices are per person and based on 2 sharing a room (please contact us concerning single supplements)
• Loyalty scheme reduction applies for returning customers (see terms and conditions)