Burgundy is home to some of the best wines in the world, with wine lovers’ hearts fluttering like Montrachet and Nuits Saint-Georges. It is grown in an area of almost otherworldly beauty, where you will find one charming village after another nestled among vine-covered hillsides. For anyone who loves great wine and beautiful scenery, Burgundy is a must-visit part of France.
Burgundy is not only a favorite place for wine lovers, but it is also a great place to go for a bike ride. My wife and I recently rode part of Voie des Vignes (Vine Route), a route that passes through some of the most famous vineyards in the world, from Beaune to Santenay and from Santenay to Nolay. We drove along the 22-kilometre section connecting Beaune and Saintenay, in the Côte d’Or region of Burgundy.
Keith and his wife enjoyed cycling the Route des Grands Crus © Keith van Sickle
The road can be hilly, so we rented electric bikes and rode along the road. From Beaune we drove south through gorgeous countryside, with dark green vines climbing the hills on one side of us and descending on the other. We soon reached Pommard and then Volnay, two villages famous for their Pinot Noir, and then on to Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet, where some of the best Chardonnay in the world is grown. When we passed a sign pointing to the Grands Crus route, we knew we were truly in wine heaven.
The villages all have cafes and restaurants, and of course there were plenty of wineries – although moderation is advised when drinking and cycling! We particularly enjoyed the village and its famous Meursault the palacea large building with one of the multi-coloured tiled roofs that Burgundy is famous for.
Once you reach Santenay, aspiring riders can continue the journey Green road (Green Route) Through another 13 km of beautiful countryside to Knowlai. a Green road It is a former railway line that has been replaced by a cycling and walking path Green roads Generally quite flat.
Safe riding
Before we started our trip, my wife and I were worried about having to fight with car traffic, but we needn’t have worried. Except for a very short stretch, the Voie des Vignes It is located on a road designated only for chrome vehicles. While we passed dozens of bikers and pedestrians on our trip, we felt safe because we only saw a few farm vehicles (note: busiest during harvest season).
Burgundy can be very warm in summer, and on hot days, motorcyclists should start early and drink plenty of water. The villages along the way are only a few kilometers away, so there are plenty of opportunities to stop and have something to drink.
Most of the road is car-free © Alain Doire / BFC Tourisme
Bicycle rental place
We rented our electric bikes from Burgundy escapea friendly and efficient rental shop at 5 Allée du Docteur Bouley in Beaune, a few hundred meters from the start of Voie des Vignes. Hiking Burgundy At 7 avenue du 8 Septembre in Beaune, there is another bike rental shop with a good reputation.
Where do you eat lunch?
We loved our lunch at Le soufflot In Meursault, a bustling restaurant with delicious food and a three-course menu at reasonable prices. Other good options are Lolit Restaurant And Terroir In Santenay.
Another option is to have a picnic lunch. You can get goodies at the weekly markets of Beaune or Dijon, or at any of the shops in the area. Enjoy amazing baguettes and cheese in a beautiful vineyard, what could be better?
The stunning Meursault Palace © pixabay
Lead photo credit: The Voie des Vignes © Alain Doire / BFC Tourisme
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