4 DAYS MOUNTAIN BIKING : IN THE COUNTRY OF THE 7 HILLS
Cycling
Thematic
Cycling
Location
Brionnais in Burgundy
Duration
4 days / 3 nights
Level
Medium
Accomodation
B&B
Participants
From 1 person
From 315€ / Person
Description
Cycling in the Romanesque garden of Burgundy, called Brionnais.
Four days to discover the country of the 7 hills in the green grove, where the beauty of the landscape always amaze hikers.
Program
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From Melay to La Clayette :
Today, we are climbing! You will quickly understand why Brionnais is called the land of 7 hills. Admittedly, these are not the 7 mountains, but you will still have fun! There are many trails here and a real treat for mountain bikes! So take pleasure in taking these sunken lanes in the middle of pastures where Charolais cows live quietly!
For beginners, you will pass through the villages of Fleury la Montagne, with a magnificent view of the Charolais bocage, and Ligny en Brionnais where the small Bézo river flows which makes the landscape very bucolic!
For the more courageous, the hike will start with the “Véloire”, a greenway along the Loire. This will lead you to the beautiful little town of Charlieu, where a visit or refreshment stopover can be considered, then you will pass through Saint Maurice les Châteauneuf, a “second-hand” village, where you can visit one of the most beautiful Romanesque churches in Brionnais, which makes up a charming ensemble with the castle next door, on which it originally depended. Then the hike will end with a short climb to the mountain of Dun which offers an unmissable point of view on the Charolais-Brionnais. A Romanesque chapel is located isolated at the top of the mountain. On a clear day you can see 35 bell towers.
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From La Clayette to Saint Julien de Civry :
The start of your hike will take you to the Château de Drée. This castle was built from the 1650s by François de Bonne de Créquy, 3rd Duke of Lesdiguières and Governor of Dauphiné, on the site of the stronghold of La Bazolle. It was then sold to Etienne Comte de Drée in 1748, who initiated interior decoration "in the style of Versailles". A visit that is worth the detour for lovers of remarkable castles and gardens: https://chateau-de-dree.com/.
Then it is through forest and bocage that you will continue your journey to the small village of Saint Julien de Civry. For the more courageous, we will start the hike with a small excursion between the mountains of Dun and Saint Cyr, then we will end with a passage in the beautiful small town of Charolles, also called Venice of Burgundy.
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From Saint Julien de Civry to Montceau l´Etoile :
You are now on the way on the paths of the little Switzerland of Bionnaise! Here it goes up, it goes down, it goes up, it goes down and finally, then at the end of the course, you will find the Arconce valley, this magnificent little river that winds through the meadows. A swimming break is possible. A little softness to end this hike in style. At your evening stopover, you can take advantage of your end of the day to visit the beautiful Romanesque church in the heart of the village. Today, it's 100% natural!
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From Montceau l'Etoile to Melay:
The route starts off gently on a magnificent path that runs along the Arconce and which leads you to the most beautiful Romanesque church in this region. A visit (possibility of a guided tour) is required here. Then it is an alternating circuit in the forest or through the meadows where the Charolais cows quietly ruminate which will lead you to the small medieval village of Semur en Brionnais, here you can visit the 10th century castle, as well as the church. Then you will take the direction of the plain of the Loire where your journey will end, after passing through the Romanesque church of Iguerande.
Useful information
Brionnais is a little unknown country in Burgundy, but it is a paradise for cyclists and hikers : paths absolutely every where that cross countless small roads : a paradise for hikers whether on foot or by bike!These three days will allow you to discover the Brionnais, the secret Romanesque garden of Burgundy : it is an authentic bocage that you will discover, where man for centuries has raised here the most famous cows in " the world", the Charolaise, here hundreds of kilometers of paths lined with hedges have been preserved and it will be a delight for you to enjoy!The Brionnais is also a major stopover for lovers of Roman art. More than thirty Roman churches form an incomparable whole in France. On this hike, we offer optional guided tours of each of the churches encountered on the circuit.And in the evening, tired but relaxed, you will enjoy a nice stopover with the locals, welcomed as friends, at a table where you will be offered meals made with good local products!Cathy, Noah, the "Françoise" (there are three!),Martine, Marie Françoise, Marie Christine, somany partners with whom we have been working with confidence for some, 20 years! You will be received like dukes! We are in Burgundy, don't forget! This stay is a hiking trip where meals and breakfasts are included at each stage and the luggage transported each day: so you leave ligthearted !So don't hesitate, go off the beaten track in Burgundy and offer yourself a short stay in a small, preserved and secret part of France.
day 1 :
Easy : 30 km / D +: 636 m and D-: 530 m / maximum altitude: 498 m and minimum altitude: 249 m
Medium : 45 km / D +: 777 m and D-: 671 m / maximum altitude: 521 m and minimum altitude: 252 m
Difficult : 56 km / D +: 1075 m and D-: 969 m / maximum altitude: 706 m and minimum altitude: 252 m
day 2 :
Easy : 24 km / D +: 425 m and D-: 494 m / maximum altitude: 472 m and minimum altitude: 293 m
Medium :
- 40 km / D +: 761 m and D-: 828 m / maximum altitude: 452 m and minimum altitude: 285 m
- 52 km / D +: 1071 m and D-: 1139 m / maximum altitude: 588 m and minimum altitude: 285 m
Difficult :
- 58 km / D +: 1141 m and D-: 1209 m / maximum altitude: 591 m and minimum altitude: 275 m
- 62 km / D +: 1243 m and D-: 1311 m / maximum altitude: 588 m and minimum altitude: 274 m
day 3 :
Easy : 29 km / D +: 357 m and D-: 402 m / maximum altitude: 397 m and minimum altitude: 242 m
Medium :
- 39 km / D +: 595 m and D-: 639 m / maximum altitude: 397 m and minimum altitude: 242 m
- 46 km / D +: 672 m and D-: 716 m / maximum altitude: 397 m and minimum altitude: 242 m Difficult: 52 km / D +: 700 m and D-: 745 m / maximum altitude: 397 m and minimum altitude: 242 m
day 4 :
Easy : 26 km / D +: 473 m and D-: 468 m / maximum altitude: 410 m and minimum altitude: 245 m
Medium : 36 km / D +: 727 m and D-: 720 m / maximum altitude: 478 m and minimum altitude: 245 m
Difficult : 50 km / D +: 950 m and D-: 912 m / maximum altitude: 504 m and minimum altitude: 245 m
First evening : Accommodation on half board in a guesthouse or hotel.
Second evening : Accommodation on half board in a guest room.
Third evening : Accommodation on half board in a guest room.
Your luggage will be transported by vehicle.
However, we ask you to be reasonable : provide luggage that is not too bulky (preferably in a single bag), and whose weight does not exceed 13 kilos per person.
What you need and what you don't need :
- shampoos and shower gel are not provided in the accommodation.
- You will only carry a backpack with your day's belongings including the pic nic, we therefore recommend a 40 literbackpack (an insulated backpack is better to transport your pic nic).
- Equip yourself with rain gear.
- To avoid the consumption of plastic bottles, remember tobring one or two gourdes per person of at least 1.5 liters which will be filled each morning before your departure.
- Do not forget the small emergency pharmacy (antiseptic,dressings, dressings for blisters, aspirin, anti mosquito andanti tick, tick puller, sunscreen, earplug ...).
- Bed linen and towels are provided in each accommodation.
This hike is an unaccompanied hike,which means that it is done without aguide and under your ownresponsibility.
We provide you with ahiking package which will be sent to you by post or email, three weeksbefore your arrival date, with :
- accommodation details.
- IGN maps will be highlighted.
- The route in .gpx format for GPS.
- DEPARTURE from Melay,the day of your choice.
- Parking: You can park your vehicle in a free public car park on Melay or eventually the B&B where you slept the day before the hike.
- Train access: Marcigny.
- DISPERSION in Melay.
In case of abandonment along the way, skipped stage or other service not consumed by hikers, no refund may be required. We may sometimes have to modify the itinerary indicated somewhat : either at the organizational level (problem of availability of accommodation,modification of the condition of the site, etc.).These changes are always notified to you when booking.You are the only judge of your strengths and your ability to manage unexpected situations (tiredness, weather, presence of animals, modification of the landscape, etc.).We decline all responsibility in the event of your error concerning the orientation (error orchange of itinerary) or time management (departure too late in the morning, pic nic break too long ...).You must be able to follow a route using a 1/25000map, a road map written by us and clues in the landscape.
ACCESS
You go to the village of Melay in Saône et Loire : department 71. Saône et Loire is served by the A6, A39 and A40 motorways and by the national road Center Europe Atlantic.
By road, Melay is 9 am south of London, 7 hours south of Brussels and Bruges, 3 hours west of Geneva, 4 hours south of Paris, 2 hours south west of Dijon, 1hour 30 minutes south of Chalon sur saône, 1 hour 30 minutes north west of Lyon, 1 hour west of Mâcon, and 20 minutes north of Roanne.
By train, enter as arrival destination : MARCIGNY.
If you come from the North of France or Europe, you can stop at the Le Creusot - Montchanin TGV station OR from south passing by Lyon, you’ll take a train to Roanne where you will take a bus which will drop you off an hour later at the Marcigny stop where a taxi will have to be reserved to take you to your destination.
SNCF informations :00 33 (0) 8 92 35 35 35
Bus company for Le Creusot -Montchanin TGV station shuttle to Roanne : +33 (0) 4 77 68 30 00
Your luggage will be transported by vehicle.
However, we ask you to be reasonable : provide luggage that is not too bulky (preferably in a single bag), and whose weight does not exceed 13 kilos per person.
For 2 participants sharing the same room: € 315 per person with half board.
For 3 to 4 participants sharing the same room: 270 € per person with half board.
These rates are for people sharing the same room and the same bathroom.
For single people, for people wishing separate rooms, asupplement will be indicated during the establishment of the estimate.
In all cases, these prices are given as an indication, according to your requests, a quote will be established before booking.
These prices include :
- The complete organization of your hike.
- The transport of your luggage at each stage.
- Accommodation during the hike with half board from the evening meal of day 1 to the breakfasts of day 4.
- The IGN map tracks for each hiking day.
- GPX traces of each hiking day downloadable before your arrival.
These prices do not include:
- Drinks outside meals and personal expenses.
- Accommodation the day before and the last day of the hike (option possible).
From € 60 per adult in a double room with half board.
From 45 € per additional adult (from 12 years old) in half board in the same room.
- Transport by taxi to the starting point of the hike and back.
- Guided tour of a Romanesque church on the route : € 80 regardless of the number of participants.
- Insurance, including cancellation and interruption insurance (option possible).
- Lunchtime picnics + € 10 per person per day (option possible).
- Bike rental + 50 € per bike or + 90 € per electric bike (option possible).
This hike is accessible all year round.
Options disponibles
- An additional night with half board the day before the hike
- An additional night with half board on the last day of hiking
- Cancellation and interruption insurance
- Guided tour of a Romanesque church : 80 €
- Bike rental: + 50 € per bike and + 90 € per electric bike
- Pic nic : + 10 € per person and per day
