Walking through the heart of the bocage: tranquility and verdant landscapes
Discover the authentic charm of Burgundy's green gold country on our hiking trips! Spend three days exploring rolling hills, following ancient trails lined with hedgerows and verdant meadows, punctuated by the majestic presence of Charolais cows. An unforgettable experience in the heart of Burgundy's countryside, where every step brings you closer to the raw beauty of this unique landscape. Book now for a hiking getaway that will transport you to the heart of authentic Burgundy!
Discover Burgundy by bike , and more specifically the Brionnais , a hidden gem of Burgundy, on a cycling tour through the meadows. Explore its winding paths and small roads lined with hedgerows, offering cyclists and hikers an authentic experience in the heart of the Charolais bocage.
This unspoiled region is also a true gem for Romanesque art enthusiasts, boasting over thirty Romanesque churches dating from the 11th century, forming a remarkable collection in France. Optional guided tours of the most emblematic sites along the route are available to enhance your cultural experience.
During your stay, discover the iconic places in the region:
Paray-le-Monial : This historic town is famous for its Romanesque basilica in the Cluniac style, one of the most important in France. Cyclists will have the opportunity to admire its remarkable architecture and discover its rich religious heritage.
Charolles : Renowned for its well-preserved architecture and half-timbered houses, Charolles is a must-see stop on any hike. Visitors can stroll through its picturesque streets and visit the Priory Museum, which houses a collection of local art and crafts.
La Clayette : Nestled in a verdant setting, this charming village is dominated by its imposing 15th-century castle. Cyclists can enjoy a well-deserved break to explore the castle gardens and admire the panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
Charlieu : An ancient medieval town, Charlieu is renowned for its Benedictine abbey founded in the 9th century. Visitors can discover the fascinating history of this abbey, as well as its art and archaeology museum.
After a day of exploring, relax in the warm hospitality of the Brionnais region, where you'll be welcomed like friends and enjoy meals prepared with local delicacies. With daily luggage transport, travel light and make the most of every moment of your cycling holiday.
Dare to be adventurous and embark on a revitalizing cycling holiday in this little-known corner of Burgundy.
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Destination
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Start time
Melay (71340) -
Departure time
9:00 -
Arriving time
17:00
Picture gallery
Day 1
FROM IGUERANDE TO SAINT EDMOND
Begin your hike along the towpath of the Roanne to Digoin Canal, where tranquility will envelop you from the very first steps. From there, let yourself be carried away by the steep paths that will lead you to the summits of the Land of Seven Hills, offering breathtaking panoramas of the surrounding bocage countryside. Then cross the picturesque Bézo Valley, following the meanders of this charming river between the verdant hills, until you reach the enchanting edge of the Brionnais region, in Saint-Maurice-les-Châteauneuf, where every street exudes history and the charm of antique shops.
Bed and breakfast accommodation (private bathrooms).
Approximately 18 km, or about 6 hours of walking (with possible shortcuts) / Elevation gain: 411 m and Elevation loss: 349 m
Day 2
FROM SAINT EDMOND TO SAINT JULIEN DE JONZY
Even today, the route continues uphill and downhill. After a short stretch through the forest, you'll pass through the village of Saint Christophe en Brionnais, the birthplace of the Charolais breed. And if you're lucky enough to arrive on a Wednesday, you can stop at the livestock market, a traditional market dating back to the 15th century—one of the oldest in France! It's a unique spectacle that harmoniously blends the past, present, and future, allowing you to participate in the cattle transactions! Guided tours are available on-site (no reservation required), culminating in a small tasting of Charolais beef.
And then, it's time to cheerfully climb back up to the heights of Brionnais, with a magnificent view over the Arconce valley towards Saint Julien de Jonzy!
Hotel accommodation (private bathrooms).
Approximately 20 km, or about 6 hours of walking (with possible shortcuts) / Elevation gain: 283 m and Elevation loss: 238 m
Day 3
FROM SAINT JULIEN DE JONZY TO MELAY
A day that begins in the forest, following the trails of the Charmays forest, will lead you to the charming village of Semur-en-Brionnais, nestled in the heart of the verdant hills. Here, time seems to stand still, and every cobbled street invites you to explore. At the heart of this enchanting setting stands the majestic Collegiate Church of Saint-Hilaire, a poignant testament to the region's religious and architectural history. Built in the 12th century, this remarkable church is a listed historical monument and represents the last example of Romanesque architecture erected in the Brionnais. Its unique style, blending Cluniac influences and foreshadowings of Gothic architecture, makes it a place of great artistic and spiritual richness.
In this village steeped in history stands a medieval castle, a fascinating vestige of Semur-en-Brionnais' glorious past. Perched atop a hill, the castle offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding area, and its walls tell tales of centuries gone by. Exploring its towers and ramparts will immerse you in the region's medieval epic, where knights and lords vied for land and power. After this stop steeped in history and beauty, your journey continues to the charming town of Iguerande, where history and beauty blend harmoniously.
Perched atop a hill, like a guardian of time, the Romanesque church of Saint-Marcel in Iguerande majestically overlooks the valley and its river, offering a breathtaking view. This thousand-year-old church, dating from the late 11th century, is one of the purest and most complete examples of Romanesque architecture in Burgundy. Its solid, sturdy appearance testifies to its glorious past, while its interior houses true artistic treasures.
And if luck is on your side, step inside the Reflet Brionnais Museum, just opposite the church, where you might meet Lili, a passionate guardian of local history. This museum, a true cultural gem of the region, invites you on a captivating journey through time, to meet the men and women who shaped the landscape and identity of the Brionnais. Immerse yourself in the stories and artifacts that bear witness to the rich heritage of this bountiful land, and leave with unforgettable memories.
Approximately 18 km, or about 5 hours of walking (with possible shortcuts) / Elevation gain: 394 m and Elevation loss: 473 m
This hike is a self-guided hike , which means that it is done without a guide and at your own risk.
We will provide you with a hiking pack, which will be sent to you by post or email three weeks before your arrival date, containing:
- the contact details of the accommodations.
- Detailed itineraries for each day of hiking.
- IGN maps, in A4 format, for each day of hiking, with the routes highlighted. On site, the day before your hike, you will be given a compact, laminated, and easy-to-use A4 version of these maps. Accommodations are precisely located, and shortcuts are clearly highlighted.
- The route in .gpx format for GPS.
In the event of abandonment along the way, skipped stage or other unused service due to the hikers, no refund can be demanded.
We may sometimes need to slightly modify the indicated itinerary: either due to organizational issues (problems with accommodation availability, changes in terrain conditions, etc.). These modifications will always be communicated to you at the time of booking.
You are the sole judge of your strengths and your ability to manage unexpected situations (fatigue, weather, presence of animals, changes in terrain, etc.).
We decline all responsibility in case of error on your part regarding orientation (error or change of route) or time management (departure too late in the morning, picnic break too long...).
You must be able to follow a route using a 1/25000 map, a route sheet written by us and clues on the ground.
Packing instructions:
Your luggage will be transported by vehicle. However, we ask you to be reasonable: pack luggage that is not too bulky (preferably in a single bag), and whose weight does not exceed 13 kilos per person.
Shampoos and shower gels are not provided in the accommodations.
You will only be carrying a backpack containing your belongings for the day including your picnic, so we recommend a 40-litre backpack (an insulated backpack is a plus for carrying your picnic).
To avoid the consumption of plastic bottles, consider bringing a 1,5 litre water bottle per person, which will be filled every morning before your departure.
Equip yourself with waterproof hiking boots and good rain gear.
To avoid the consumption of plastic bottles, remember to bring a 1,5 litre water bottle per person, which will be filled every morning before your departure.
Don't forget the small emergency pharmacy (antiseptic, plasters, blister plasters, mosquito repellent, tick remover, sunscreen, earplugs...).
For 2 participants sharing the same room:
275 € / person
For 3 or more participants sharing the same room:
225 € / person
FEEL FREE TO REQUEST A QUOTE: we adapt our prices according to your wishes (shorter or longer tour, simpler or higher quality accommodation...), but also to your budget! It costs nothing to ask.
These prices are indicative only; depending on your requests, a quote will be drawn up before booking: particularly for groups of more than 5 people, for people with children under 12 years old, for people wanting separate rooms, for single people...
These prices include:
- The complete organization of your hike.
- Transporting your luggage at every stage.
- Accommodation during the hike includes full board from picnic lunch on day 1 to picnic lunch on day 3 EXCEPT for meals on day 2 at the hotel restaurant which will be paid for on site.
- The routes on IGN map in A4 format for each day of hiking, as well as a detailed route sheet.
- GPX tracks for each day of hiking can be downloaded before your arrival.
These prices do not include:
- Drinks outside of meals and personal expenses.
- Dinner of day 2
- Shuttle service from the station if you are coming by train (optional).
- Cancellation insurance (optional).
- Guided tour of a Romanesque church (optional).
- An extra night in a bed and breakfast with half-board, the day before and the last day of hiking
- 2 IGN 1/25000 maps of the route, which you keep after the hike: €30