Experience France's legendary landscapes as you cycle a route steeped in history - and wine! Bicycle along quiet roads and bike paths through Champagne, Burgundy, and the famous Côte d’Or wine regions. Cycle through the Morvan Natural Park and finish in France’s renowned Burgundy vineyards. This bicycling tour will delight your eyes and your taste buds while taking you to some of the most iconic cities of France.
* We are happy to match solo travelers who would like to share a room with someone of the same gender. If no match exists, due to hotel pricing, we will charge 50% of the private room charge. This charge will be collected at the time of the final payment. If a roommate assignment is available it will be refunded at the conclusion of the tour.
** For information about what your tour status means please see our FAQ page.
Reims - capital of Champagne wine, Dijon and Beaune - Capitals of Burgundy wine, champagne tasting and tour, Parc Naturel Regional du Morvan, Guided visit of Semur-en-Auxois and Hotel Dieu, Châteauneuf and its castle, informal wine tasting. Four two-night stays.
Includes
10 nights' accommodation; meals as noted in itinerary; champagne tasting; guided visit of Hotel Dieu; informal wine tasting; and the usual (see below)
Learn more about what is included and what to expect on your Classic tour at the Classic Tour Style page.
Reims is not only the capital of the Champagne region, but also home to the cathedral where the Kings of France were crowned since 987 A.D. Come early to explore the incredible cathedral and taste champagne from the many Maisons de Champagne. We'll meet this afternoon for a bike fitting and a quick spin along Reims' scenic canal. This evening join us to toast the start of our trip together with champagne of course!
We leave Reims on a bike path this morning pedaling over rolling hills and through vineyards overlooking forests. The Montagne de Reims, where many of the Pinot Noir grapes are grown, is also home to an extensive national park. This evening we'll be back in Reims where we'll visit a famous champagne producer and enjoy a tasting.
Highlights: Dom Perignon's stomping grounds, Châlons-en-Champagne
This morning we'll bicycle to the legendary birthplace of champagne. Dom Perignon was a Benedictine monk here in the 17th Century and made important advancements in wine making. Did he invent sparkling wine? Well that depends on who you ask. Our scenic route crosses through Hautvillers where he lived and worked, then joins up with the Canal latéral à la Marne into lovely Châlons en Champagne. This charming town will surprise you with its medieval and Gothic churches and half-timber houses from centuries past.
Highlights: Burgundy, Guided visit of Semur-en-Auxois
Today we enter Burgundy. But before we get to the famous wine regions, we’ll pedal through the western countryside, known for its down-to-earth people and natural beauty. After breakfast, we’ll shuttle to Semur-en-Auxois. Semur is a charming town overlooking the Armonçon river. Explore the town and lunch before starting our ride through forests and tiny villages to Saulieu.
We’ll be in Saulieu again tonight, so treat yourself to a rest day at the spa across the street and/or ride into the lake region of the Morvan Natural Park. Today’s loop follows tiny roads through pastures, Christmas tree farms, and authentic villages to the center of the Morvan Natural Park. The visitors center offers a scenic walk around the lake, gardens, and insight into the French Resistance, which was strong in this area.
We leave the Morvan Park today for a day filled with castles. Commarin Castle’s roots go back to the 13th Century and the castle’s architecture reflects the stylistic changes over the centuries. The town of Chateâuneuf is one of the loveliest you’ll ever visit, and its imposing medieval castle is worth a visit. This evening we’ll spend the night in the third castle of the day in the tiny village of Sainte Sabine. Take a splash in the pool and enjoy the surrounding park before a special dinner prepared by an award-winning chef.
We pedal along the famous Canal de Bourgogne (Burgundy Canal) this morning to Dijon, another capital of an equally famous and delicious wine; Burgundy. Made with similar grapes as champagne, for many, Burgundy is the epitome of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay country. Dijon was also home to the Dukes of Burgundy. Burgundy was a powerful country in its own right until it was annexed by France in 1477. Take your time getting here, or plan to arrive in time for lunch at one of Dijon’s wide array of cafés and restaurants. Start exploring Dijon this afternoon and we’ll enjoy dinner together this evening.
Take it easy today and discover all the monuments, museums, and great shopping Dijon has to offer. Visit any number of wine shops and climb to the top of the Ducal Palace’s Tower. Feel like cycling today? Choose between a short loop around Lake Kir, just outside of town, or a longer loop into the neighboring hills. For dinner this evening we’ll suggest restaurants from amazing French cuisine or lighter international fare.
Today we'll bicycle through some of the most famous vineyards and wine villages on the planet: Gevrey Chambertin, Clos de Vougeot, Nuits San Georges, Romanée Conti...vineyard country is synonymous with excellent cycling so it's going to be a great day! We'll have a guided visit of the 15th century "Hotel" Dieu museum, originally built as a hospital for the poor, it is one of the finest examples of Burgundian architecture in Beaune.
Highlights: Immaculate vineyards, Château de la Rochepot
Today tiny country roads featuring immaculate vineyards take you out of Beaune and south through Pommard, Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, and the Hautes Côtes de Beaune. Stop at the historic Château de la Rochepot for a visit. This evening we'll celebrate this wonderful cycling vacation with an informal wine tasting and exceptional dining experience in Beaune.
Meeting time 2 p.m. - on Day 1, meet your fellow cyclists and Tour Leaders at the Day 1 Hotel specified on the itinerary.
Note:
As you are planning, remember that the hotels listed in our itineraries are our primary hotels and are - in rare cases - subject to change. Before you make arrangements, check with us if your tour departure is guaranteed. If your tour departure is out further than 6 months, please also check with us as there might be slight changes to the itinerary.
The below information will help you plan your arrival. For more tips or other routes, you might like Rome2Rio. The fare and timing information listed below is approximate.
We suggest flying into the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG).
Airport Shuttle to the Aéroport CDG 2 TGV Train Station (located beneath the airport) (10 min/no cost)
Train from Paris Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport to Reims (1 hour/fares vary)
Look up French train schedules and book tickets, if necessary, SNCF.com or Trainline.eu. Questions? See our information on taking trains in Europe here or ask us.
Day 11: Departure Information
Bon Voyage
Your trip ends on the final day after breakfast.
The below information will help you plan your departure. For more tips or other routes, you might like Rome2Rio.
We suggest flying out of Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG). Lyon (LYS) is also an option, about 2.5 hours away.
Taxi from the ending hotel to the Beaune train station (5 min/EUR 10-15)
Train from Beaune to Paris Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport (3.5 hours/fares vary)
Pre-Trip Planning Checklist
To do right after you booked!
Read through your Reservation Confirmation and After you Book Information (link sent to you by e-mail), it has important information to help you plan your trip!
Check the date on your passport. The expiration date should extend three months past your date of return to your home country.
Refer to your Tour Packet/Itinerary to see step-by-step arrival and departure information for your tour, meeting place and time, if a reservation on a complimentary ExperiencePlus! Shuttle (if applicable) is required, and other important information to help you plan your arrival and departure.
Reserve your flights after you know you have a confirmed tour departure. Please check with our office if you do not know if your trip is confirmed.
Book your pre and post-tour hotel nights.
Begin your chosen training program.
Final payment is due 90 days (120 days for Bike &Barge/Boat tours) prior to the tour start. Please refer to your Invoice and the Final Payment Reminder e-mail we send 10 days prior to the due date for detailed instructions.
We'll email you your access code to Digital Daysheets, Hotel Itinerary, Participant Roster, names and contact information of your Tour Leaders, emergency phone numbers, and other important departure information about 2 weeks prior to your tour start date. All this will be provided to you via a feature called Experiences via the RideWithGPS App (tracks available but not necessary for navigation on Classic, Expedition and Bike & Boat tours).
Day of Your Flight
Get as much sleep on the plane as you can. Pack your one day of cycling gear in your carry-on. See you soon!
What to Expect on Tour
Classic Tour Style
Learn more about what is included and what to expect on your Classic tour at the Classic page.
It is a challenging and educational ride through two wine producing regions. Favorite things: It might be the visit to the Domaine de la Monette vineyard, though the rides themselves and staying in the chateau in St. Sabine were very special too.
Peter P., Rockville MD - May 2019
I loved it all - the beauty of the country, the riding, THE ARROWS, the guides, the wine and champagne, the food, the town tours, the bikes and the other participants. I love France and wanted to see more of the country plus I''m not fond of long hill climbs so I thought the riding might be more to my taste which it was. 30. Final comments:
Another great tour! Cheers to you.
Betsy I., Boulder, CO - May 2018
Beautiful country with all the small villages, personal contact with some locals, gorgeous cathedrals, good biking roads and great guides.
Carolyn B., Longmont, CO - May 2018
It was marvelous. Thank you for doing this. Your trips are a complete pleasure.
Gentle terrain includes mostly undulating/flat sections and a rare longer climb (less than 3 km - 2 miles) with an average grade less than 3%.
Rolling Hills
Rolling hills featuring multiple gentle slopes (average grade of 3-4%) usually less than 3 km (2 miles). There may also be an occasional shorter (less than 2 km -1 mile) but steeper climb. Or a longer climb where the average grade is less than 3%.
Hilly
Hilly terrain has climbs up to 3 km (2 miles) with an average grade between 4% and 6%. There may also be climbs longer than 3 km (2 miles), but with an average grade less than 4%.
Very Hilly
Very hilly terrain includes one or more climbs, some of which maintain an average grade (meaning you will have short sections both steeper and less steep in the same climb) of 7% and 8% for no more than 3 km (2 miles). There will also be some longer climbs, but with a lower average grade.
Mountainous
Mountainous terrain includes one or more climbs with an average grade over 8%. Mountainous rides can also include longer climbs (more than 5 km - 3 miles) with an average grade up to 6%.
Level 1 - 1.5
For those desiring gentle rides with a limited amount of climbing.
Level 5, also known as our Expeditions, are multi-week tours designed for strong riders looking for the challenge of riding across countries or continents.
Gentle terrain includes mostly undulating/flat sections and a rare longer climb (less than 3 km - 2 miles) with an average grade less than 3%.
Hilly
Hilly terrain has climbs up to 3 km (2 miles) with an average grade between 4% and 6%. There may also be climbs longer than 3 km (2 miles), but with an average grade less than 4%.
Very Hilly
Very hilly terrain includes one or more climbs, some of which maintain an average grade (meaning you will have short sections both steeper and less steep in the same climb) of 7% and 8% for no more than 3 km (2 miles). There will also be some longer climbs, but with a lower average grade.
Mountainous
Mountainous terrain includes one or more climbs with an average grade over 8%. Mountainous rides can also include longer climbs (more than 5 km - 3 miles) with an average grade up to 6%.
Tour Levels
Level 1 - 1.5
For those desiring gentle rides with a limited amount of climbing.
Level 5, also known as our Expeditions, are multi-week tours designed for strong riders looking for the challenge of riding across countries or continents.
Very hilly
Mountainous
Cycling Champagne and Burgundy
Cycling Corsica Plus! Beaches and Bonifacio
Cycling the Dordogne Plus! the Vineyards of Bordeaux
