Hiking and heritage in southern Burgundy
In summary
-
Sports
-
Duration6 days
-
LevelIntermediate
-
DestinationFrance / Burgundy-Franche-Comté
-
AgeFrom the age of 18
-
CO₂-Emissions68.29 kg CO2
-
Type of stayIn a group
-
Languages
French
English
In a few words
Immerse yourself in the heart of southern Burgundy for a captivating semi-trail journey along the Via Burgundia . This trip invites you to explore the Cluny region, famous for its medieval abbey and its unique historical significance. Between steep cliffs and paths shaded by majestic beech forests , your route reveals the splendor of the vineyards of the Mâconnais and the Côte Chalonnaise .
This adventure showcases the region's rich Romanesque heritage : you'll traverse authentic villages with dry-stone houses and admire superbly restored medieval castles . As you hike, let yourself be captivated by the beauty of the unspoiled natural landscapes , while savoring the finest Burgundian cuisine . An experience where culture, renowned wines , and stunning scenery combine to create unforgettable memories in the heart of an exceptional region.
The highlights
-
A wonderful discovery of the nature and architecture of southern Burgundy
-
Accommodation in comfortable hotels
-
Tasting renowned food and wines
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
The expert's opinion
Please remember that you must be able to participate in this program. You can contact us with any questions you may have about the program and the required skill level. Any information about you that could affect your participation in this program must be communicated to us.
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 4h30
- Average distance/day: 12 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 250 m
- Average daily descent: 225 m
Management
French
English
Whether still wearing my mountaineer's cap, passionate about hiking, or my chef's hat, in Cervières, Burgundy, Iceland, or elsewhere, I invite you to explore unspoiled nature and enjoy healthy and delicious cuisine in a warm and welcoming atmosphere!
As a lover of wide open spaces and an indefatigable explorer, I enjoy both wild and technical hikes and walks "where all the muscles work," when it's not the kilometers or the difficulties that count, but the discovery of landscapes, for what they offer me to tell you about their history or their current events!
Originally from the Dijon "coast", I invite you to escape with me with the sole ambition of sharing pleasure and conviviality in the heart of nature!
Our partner is based in Cervières, at the foot of the Col d'Izoard. In every season, they invite you to discover extraordinary and unspoiled natural spaces, combining adventure, comfort, and enjoyment, all while respecting your fitness level and desires. Join them for a hike and immerse yourself in breathtaking nature, letting yourself be captivated by its beauty!
At the heart of its approach: exchange, sharing and conviviality, with the desire to combine tourism and respect for the environment.
Program
-
Welcome and presentation of the stay
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Meet at 6pm at the "Les songes de Buxy" hotel restaurant in Buxy. Check into your rooms then, at 6:30pm, welcome drinks and presentation of the week's activities.
Overnight stay in a hotel in Buxy.
Day 1 -
Vineyards of the Côte Chalonnaise
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Distance 10 km
- Positive elevation gain 200 m
- Negative elevation 180 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
From the villages of Buxy and Montagny, renowned for their delicate white wines, we'll follow a section of the GR7 hiking trail southwards. From the rocky heights, our route will overlook the vine-covered hillsides and, further on, the pastures where Charolais cattle, with their famous white coats, graze. Our walk will lead us to the charming streets of the medieval town of Saint-Gengoux, where we'll have time to stroll before returning to our hotel.
Overnight stay in a hotel in Saint-Gengoux.
Day 2 -
The Monks' Path
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h30
- Distance 12 km
- Positive elevation gain 300 m
- Negative elevation 300 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After visiting the splendid church of Chapaize, we will join the ridge path that leads from the chapel of Saint-Martin-de-Laives to Cluny. This path will allow us to discover the medieval site of Brancion, which offers a magnificent view over the Grosne Valley, the Mont Saint-Romain hill, and the charming little village of Blanot, known for its pottery. Our journey will end in Cluny, famous for the remains of its ancient abbey.
Overnight stay in a hotel in Cluny.
Day 3 -
Berzé-le-Châtel
- Transportation Minibus - 00h15 - 10km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h30
- Distance 12 km
- Positive elevation gain 250 m
- Negative elevation 260 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We will set off to discover Berzé, its medieval castle, its village with charming little streets, and its Romanesque church. Our path, winding between shady forests and sunny hillsides, will offer us numerous panoramic views of the vineyards and the Roche de Solutré in the distance.
Overnight stay in a hotel in Cluny.
Day 4 -
Rocks of Solutré and Vergisson
- Transportation Minibus - 00h45 - 40km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 14 km
- Positive elevation gain 350 m
- Negative elevation 235 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
This walk will take place in the heart of the Mâconnais vineyards. Pouilly-Fuissé or Vinzelles, Saint-Véran…so many names that will make your mouth water all day long!
We will take turns climbing the famous Roche de Solutré, so dear to Tonton, and its neighbor, the Roche de Vergisson. At the end of the day, we will be rewarded with the traditional descent into the cellar.
Overnight stay in a hotel in Cluny.
Day 5 -
Around Cluny, the Sacred Ban circuit
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Distance 9 km
- Positive elevation gain 150 m
- Negative elevation 150 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
We will set out to discover this space of peace and freedom assigned by the Pope in the Middle Ages to ensure the tranquility of Cluny and its surroundings.
The stay ends after the last walk, around 3:00 PM. We can enjoy the hotel one last time to have a drink and take a shower before leaving.
To reach your vehicle at the hotel in Buxy or the train stations of Chalon-sur-Saône, Mâcon ville or Mâcon TGV, you can take the regular regional line Mobigo LR 701: Chalon - Cluny - Mâcon (information and timetables on www.viamobigo.fr/).
Day 6
Note
We reserve the right to modify the program for any reason (weather conditions, snow cover, participants' physical condition and technical level, the guide's preferences, etc.). These modifications are always made in your best interest: for your safety and to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
Accommodation
The Hotel Les Songes de Buxy is ideally located between Beaune and Cluny, right at the foot of the Côte Chalonnaise vineyards and close to the medieval village of Buxy.
Subject to availability , it is possible to arrive before the start date of your stay and depart after the end date. You can select these options when booking.
No registration or special request from you will be processed directly by the accommodation provider, who is not responsible for the scheduling or organization of this stay. Room allocation and other accommodation details are handled exclusively between the hotel and us. Thank you for your understanding.
Stéphanie and Gérard welcome you to their establishment located in Southern Burgundy, on the wine route, in the beautiful medieval town of Saint-Gengoux-le-National.
It was their passion for cooking and tourism that brought them together. They love sharing and conviviality.
The Hotel Saint Odilon is located in a soothing green setting, 300 meters from the center of Cluny and 700 meters from its famous abbey.
The hotel offers 36 rooms, all on the ground floor.
Access
The stay begins on Day 1 from 5pm at Les Songes de Buxy in Buxy. Check into your rooms then, at 7pm, presentation of the stay over drinks.
The stay ends after the last walk, around 3:00 PM. We can enjoy the hotel one last time to have a drink and take a shower before leaving.
To reach your vehicle at the hotel in Buxy or the train stations of Chalon-sur-Saône, Mâcon ville or Mâcon TGV, you can take the regular regional line Mobigo LR 701: Chalon - Cluny - Mâcon (information and timetables on www.viamobigo.fr).
Go to the starting point
🚂 For those arriving by train, you can access the hotel in Buxy by taking the regular regional Mobigo LR 701 Chalon - Cluny - Mâcon line (information and timetables on www.viamobigo.fr).
You can park all week in the hotel's free car park.
Arrival by car:
🚘 From the North: Chalon/Saône - Mâcon - Cluny
🚘 Via the South : Lyon - Mâcon - Cluny
🚘 From the east: Bourg-en-Bresse - Mâcon - Cluny
🚘 Via the south: Lyon - Mâcon - Cluny
🚘 From the west: Moulins - Cluny
Price details
The price includes
- The trip will be supervised by a state-certified mountain guide.
- Accommodation in comfortable hotels, in shared rooms
- Full board from dinner on Day 1 to picnic lunch on Day 6
- The tourist tax
- The transfers and baggage transport included in the program
- Guided tour of Berzé-le-Châtel Castle
- A tasting of white wines from the Mâconnais region
The price does not include
- Transportation to the meeting point
- Bus tickets for round trips between the train station and the hotel
- Visits to Cluny Abbey and the Monks' Chapel in Berzé-la-Ville (optional)
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Anything not listed under "Price includes"
Options
- Visit to Cluny Abbey : CHF14.64 / unit
- Visit to the Monks' Chapel in Berzé-la-ville : CHF4.57 / unit
- Single room (subject to availability) : CHF73.18 / unit
- Additional half-board option available before your stay at the Hotel Les Songes de Buxy (subject to availability) : CHF61.75 / unit
- Half-board extra after your stay at the Hotel Les Songes de Buxy (subject to availability) : CHF61.75 / unit
- Additional overnight stay & breakfast at the Saint-Odilon hotel in Cluny (subject to availability) : CHF75.93 / unit
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
- For picnics, we lend you fabric bags , thermoses, bowls, cups, and spoons for salads and hot drinks.
- Towels and toiletries
Equipment to bring
For the day:
- High-top or low-top hiking boots, depending on your habits and preferences.
- a medium-sized backpack (30 to 40 liters) for the day's essentials (water bottle, warm clothes, binoculars, camera...) and the picnic.
- a rain cover to protect belongings in case of rain
- an insulated water bottle preferably (1.5 liters minimum)
- a pocket knife
- a pair of highly protective sunglasses
- a tube of sunscreen and a lip balm, both very protective
- a waterproof pouch to carry your important documents
- Optional: a camera, a pair of binoculars...
For the evening:
- indoor shoes or slippers
- A first-aid kit, stocked with essentials for everyday minor ailments, including foot care products (Compeed, bandages, and other dressings), and of course, your personal medications.
Clothing to bring
Equipping yourself for hiking in spring, as in autumn, requires preparing for greater temperature variations than in summer and for wind.
For stays in Burgundy, early morning departures can be a bit chilly!
For the day:
- Breathable underwear, preferably long-sleeved and made of merino wool.
- lightweight trousers and possibly waterproof over-trousers
- shorts
- a light and slightly breathable sweater, possibly in merino wool or fleece
- a windbreaker type Gore-Tex or K-Way
- a cap or other hat to protect you from the sun
- an insulated water bottle preferably (1.5 liters minimum)
- a pocket knife
- a pair of highly protective sunglasses
- a tube of sunscreen and a lip balm, both very protective
- a waterproof pouch for carrying your important documents
- Optional: a camera, a pair of binoculars...
For the evening:
- 2 to 3 pairs of socks
- spare clothes
