Burgundy & Provence Wine Trails

Introduction
Burgundy France
This easy walking tour combines two renown wine regions in France: Burgundy & Provence.

From Dijon, in the heart of Burgundy, you follow gentle trails on the Chemin du Grand Crus along the sunny slopes of the “Côte d’Or” blanketed by prestigious hillside villages and vineyards. Then travel comfortably by train to Avignon and walk in southern France’s most prestigious wine village: Chateauneuf du Pape. Here, grapes have been grown for over 850 years.
The best way to discover these vineyards is by foot, strolling between the gnarled vines from one estate to the next, run by the same families for generations. You finish your trip in Vaison la Romaine, France’s largest Roman archaeological site, also famous for its Tuesday morning market.


HIGHLIGHTS
▪ Walk amid the famed grapes of Côtes de Nuits, Côte de Beaune, Châteauneuf-du-Pape & Côtes-du-Rhône
▪ Visit the capital of Burgundy’s wine industry (Beaune) 
▪ UNESCO heritage site of Avignon
▪ The medieval Vaison la Romaine: France’s largest Roman archaeological site

Accomodation

Accommodations
This is a progressive trip, so you will be staying in different establishments along the way. 

Description
We favour small local establishments, often family-run hotels or B&Bs, that employ local people. Selected by our track finders, our accommodations are chosen based on the friendliness of the owners, the quality of the service, the charm of the establishment and, quite often, the quirkyness (of both accommodation and owners!) that makes where you sleep an integral part of your adventure. 

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Le Petit Tertre B&B in Dijon
Night 2: Hotel St Vincent in St Georges
Night 3: La Bretonniere in Beaune
Night 4: Hotel Boquier in Avignon
Night 5: Chateau Fines Roches in Chateuneuf du Pape
Night 6: Les Florets in Gigondas
Night 7: L'Evêché in Vaison la Romaine

Le Petit Tertre B&B in Dijon
This lovely B&B offers 5 guestrooms furnished with antiques from the 18th century. Each room is equipped with private facilities, a TV, air conditioning and free Wi-Fi.

Hotel St Vincent in St Georges
This small hotel is surrounded by vineyards. The rooms are spacious and feature a TV, free Wi-Fi and private bathroom.

La Bretonniere in Beaune
Stay in a beautiful country house with lots of charm. This former post house from the 18th century is set in a quiet and green environment. Each room includes an en-suite bathroom, air conditioning and free Wi-Fi. 

Hotel Boquier in Avignon
In a quiet pedestrian street, in the heart of Avignon, stands the Boquier hotel (2 stars). This atypical and cozy building from the 18th century will warmly welcome you. Each of the 13 comfortable room comes equipped with air conditioning, a flat screen television, a private shower room and Wi-Fi access.

Chateau Fines Roches in Chateuneuf du Pape
This beautiful castle has 11 rooms with enchanting views over the surrounding vineyards. The rooms all come equipped with a private bathroom, air conditioning, a TV, a safe and free Internet access.
There is a small pool where clients can relax in the evening.

Les Florets in Gigondas
This typical Provencal guesthouse offers 15 elegant bedrooms featuring air conditioning, a flat screen TV, free WiFi, a safe and a private bathroom.
There is an outdoor pool where you can cool off after your day on the trails.

L'Evêché in Vaison la Romaine
This B&B is housed in a beautiful restored house dating back to the 17th century. It offers 5 cozy bedrooms, furnished with ancient furniture and paintings that contribute to their charming atmosphere. The rooms all have their own bathroom and free Wi-Fi access.


Meals
All breakfasts are included as well as one lunch (on Day 6).

Breakfast will be provided by the accommodations.

Riding

Itinerary



Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival
Make your way to Dijon, the capital of the Ducs of Burgundy. Walk through the cobbled streets of the historic center, visit the Ducal Palace, the Museum of Fine Art and the Eglise Notre-Dame featuring a Black Madonna statue.
Meals included: none
Overnight in Dijon

Day 2: Chambolle-Musigny, Morey St. Denis &  Chateau Clos de Vougeot
After breakfast, you take a short 30 mins transfer to Gevrey-Chambertin, where you will start your walk through the heart of the Burgundy vineyards. Walk on quiet farming tracks and paths, and visit the charming towns of Chambolle-Musigny and Morey St. Denis before arriving at the prestigious 16th century Chateau Clos de Vougeot.
Your next stop is Vosne Romanée, producing the region's most celebrated wines, all made entirely from the Pinot noir grape.
Distance 13 km / Elevation + 240m / - 280m
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in St Georges

Day 3: Fussey to Beaune 
This morning, take a taxi for a 15mins transfer to Fussey. You are quickly in the countryside, walking through oak forests on peaceful paths leading to an authentic winegrowing village: Savigny-les-Beaune. This village produces Crémant de Bourgogne, a festive wine. From the church of Saint-Cassien and its splendid listed Romanesque bell tower, to the formal garden of the Chandon de Briailles Manor House, the village has some wonderful discoveries in store for you. Then, continue to Beaune, the capital of Burgundy’s wine industry. Within the ramparts, Beaune will show you its charms: mansions, beautiful wood-frame homes, flower-laden squares... You can also visit a Mustard-manufacture such as La Maison Fallot and taste new creations (mustard flavoured with blackcurrant, tarragon, honey, gingerbread and you can even make it yourself!).
Distance 13.5 km / Elevation + 135m / - 385m
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Beaune

Day 4: Travel South to Avignon
Today, you can visit Beaune and then, in the afternoon, take the train to Avignon. (tickets not included).
If you are in Beaune on a Saturday, then you should not miss the morning market, the best place to taste local produce. Bite into a piece of fruity Cîteaux cheese (produced by the local monks), a tasty Delice de Pommard or a creamy Brillat Savarin. Don’t miss a visit to the imposing mansion of the Dukes of Burgundy, the basilica of Notre Dame and the most famous of all the sights in Beaune: the steep pitched patterned roofs of the Hotel Dieu an ancient hospital now featuring a fine arts museum. After your train ride, stroll through the cobbled streets of the Papal town of Avignon (UNESCO World Heritage site), a beautiful medieval town with lots of cobbled streets.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Avignon

Day 5: Loop walk in Châteauneuf du Pape 
Morning transfer (30mins) to Châteauneuf du Pape. You can choose one of the following loop hikes below but PLEASE NOTE : The Vaudieu & Nalys & Solitude wineries are closed on Sunday (as most of the wine estate), the Mont Redon is open on Sunday for tasting (the cellar visit is however not possible on Sunday).

Option 1: A splendid easy loop walk stays within the heart of the Chateauneuf appellation, strolling on farming tracks in between the parcels of vines of the Vaudieu & Nalys & Solitude wineries, which lead from one estate to the next. The itinerary takes you to 3 widely-known wine estates, all centuries-old and happy to share their savoir faire with you during a wine-tasting. The reds are deep and heavily spiced, while the surprising whites have notes of almond, spice, and honeysuckle.

Option 2: Explore Chateauneuf du Pape and its famous vineyards. Literally “New castle of the Pope”, this village was chosen as the summer residence of the Popes of Avignon, complete with a castle built atop the hill, today only a set of ruins from which the views extend far into the horizon. It was the popes who brought the vines here in the 14th century, making wines that have been famous for centuries. You walk through the vines, alongside tracks packed with the red rocks that were deposited here 15 000 years ago, at the end of the last ice age. They absorb the heat during the day and emit it at night, keeping a constant warmth in the vineyards, and helping produce powerful and spicy reds.
Distance 7 km / Elevation + 100m / - 100m (option 1) / Distance 11 km / Elevation + 150m / - 150m (option 2)
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Châteauneuf du Pape

Day 6: Gigondas Loop Walk
Morning transfer from Châteauneuf-du-Pape to Gigondas. Today’s walk is through the vines of Gigondas, 2nd of the cru wines of the southern Rhône. The town of Gigondas sits high above the Rhône, overlooking a sea of vines. The old stone houses, with their clay tiled roofs, are separated by narrow cobbled streets. Take the time to explore the village before the walk that takes you to the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail, a set of chiseled limestone cliffs that soar almost improbably in the sky. The steep hills have been carved into terraces, planted with rows of seemingly inaccessible vineyards. Views of the Rhône Valley and of Provence’s highest mountain, Mont Ventoux, paint the backdrop. There are plenty of wine tasting opportunities in the village.
Distance 11 km / Elevation + 300m / - 300m
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Gigondas

Day 7: Gigondas to Séguret
For your last walking day of the trip, go on a lovely walk to the town of Séguret, listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France. The walk follows underneath the cragged peaks and above the Rhône Valley, on paths and farming tracks through the vines and olive orchards. You pass above the village of Sablet before reaching the medieval wooden entrance gates of Séguret, its homes set in superposed rows and all clinging to the rock. Along the cobbled streets, you’ll find a tea house with succulent cakes, in a setting overlooking the Rhône Valley: the perfect reward after a day’s walk.
At the end of the walk, transfer to Vaison la Romaine: France’s largest Roman archaeological site.
Distance 10 km / Elevation + 300m / - 380m
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Vaison la Romaine

Day 8: Departure
If you are in Vaison on a Tuesday, do not miss the great morning market taking place throughout the year.
Take time to stroll the medieval village of Vaison and its Roman ruins before finishing your walking holiday.

Rates and Dates for Burgundy & Provence Wine Trails

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Dijon
Airport: Lyon
Transfer:

Climate:
                                    Chateauneuf du Pape area