Mountain biking on the Romanesque trails of the Brionnais
A cycling tour in the Romanesque garden of Burgundy, the Brionnais. Four days to discover the land of the 7 hills with its verdant bocage, where the beauty of the landscape never ceases to amaze hikers.
The Brionnais is a small, little-known region of Burgundy, but it's a paradise for cyclists and hikers: trails everywhere intersecting countless small roads. You'll discover an authentic bocage landscape , where people have been raising Charolais cattle for centuries.
Hundreds of kilometers of hedgerow-lined paths have been preserved, and it will be a delight for you to enjoy them!
The Brionnais region is also a major destination for lovers of Romanesque art. More than thirty 11th-century Romanesque churches form an unparalleled collection in France. On this hike, we offer optional guided tours of each of the churches encountered along the route. And in the evening, tired but relaxed, you'll enjoy a lovely stay with local families, welcomed like friends, at a table where you'll be offered meals prepared with regional products. Cathy, Noah, the three "Françoises" (there are three of them!), Martine, Marie Françoise, Marie Christine—these are just some of the partners with whom we have worked in complete trust, some for as long as 20 years! You'll be treated like royalty!
Luggage is transported daily: so you can leave with a light heart and body!
So don't hesitate any longer, get off the beaten track and treat yourself to a short stay in a 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 -
Equipment
Helmet required
Picture gallery
Day 1
From Melay to La Clayette
Today, we're climbing! You'll soon understand why the Brionnais region is called the land of seven hills. Granted, they aren't seven mountains, but you'll still have a blast! The trails here are plentiful and a real treat for mountain bikers! So enjoy riding along these sunken lanes through the pastures where Charolais cows graze peacefully!
For beginners, you will pass through the villages of Fleury la Montagne, with a magnificent view of the Charolais countryside, and Ligny en Brionnais where the small Bézo river flows, making the landscape very bucolic!
For the more adventurous, the hike begins on the "Véloire," a greenway along the Loire River. This will lead you to the charming little town of Charlieu, where a stop for sightseeing or refreshments is possible. Next, you'll pass through Saint-Maurice-lès-Châteauneuf, a village known for its antique dealers, where you can visit one of the most beautiful Romanesque churches in the Brionnais region. This church forms a delightful ensemble with the adjacent château, to which it originally belonged. The hike concludes with a short climb to the Montagne de Dun, which offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the Charolais-Brionnais region. A Romanesque chapel stands alone at the summit, where, on a clear day, you can see 35 church steeples.
Half-board accommodation in a guest house or hotel
Easy: 30 km / D+: 636 m and D-: 530 m / max altitude: 498 m and min altitude: 249 m
Average distance: 45 km / Elevation gain: 777 m and elevation loss: 671 m / Maximum altitude: 521 m and Minimum altitude: 252 m
Difficult: 56 km / D+: 1075 m and D-: 969 m / max altitude: 706 m and min altitude: 252 m
Day 2
From La Clayette to Saint Julien de Civry
Your journey begins at the Château de Drée. Built from the 1650s onwards by François de Bonne de Créquy, 3rd Duke of Lesdiguières and Governor of the Dauphiné, on the site of the fortified house of La Bazolle, this château was later sold to Etienne, Count of Drée, in 1748. He commissioned the interior decoration "in the style of Versailles." A visit is well worthwhile for those who appreciate châteaux and remarkable gardens: Château de Drée . From there, you will continue your journey through forests and hedged farmland to the small village of Saint Julien de Civry.
For the more adventurous, we will start the hike with a short excursion between the mountains of Dun and Saint Cyr, then we will finish with a visit to the beautiful little town of Charolles, also known as the Burgundian Venice.
Half-board accommodation in a guest room.
Easy: 24 km / D+: 425 m and D-: 494 m / max altitude: 472 m and min altitude: 293 m
Way :
40 km / D+: 761 m and D-: 828 m / max altitude: 452 m and min altitude: 285 m
52 km / D+: 1071 m and D-: 1139 m / max altitude: 588 m and min altitude: 285 m
Difficult :
58 km / D+: 1141 m and D-: 1209 m / max altitude: 591 m and min altitude: 275 m
62 km / D+: 1243 m and D-: 1311 m / max altitude: 588 m and min altitude: 274 m
Day 3
From Saint Julien de Civry to Montceau l'Etoile
Here you are, setting off on the paths of the "Little Switzerland" of the Bion region! The trail goes up and down, up and down again, and finally, at the end of the route, you'll reach the Arconce Valley, with its magnificent little river winding through the meadows. A refreshing swim is possible. A touch of tranquility to end this hike beautifully. At your evening stop, you can take advantage of the end of the day to visit the lovely Romanesque church in the heart of the village. Today, it's 100% nature!
Half-board accommodation in a guest room.
Easy: 29 km / D+: 357 m and D-: 402 m / max altitude: 397 m and min altitude: 242 m
Way :
- 39 km / D+: 595 m and D-: 639 m / max altitude: 397 m and min altitude: 242 m
- 46 km / D+: 672 m and D-: 716 m / max altitude: 397 m and min altitude: 242 m
Difficult: 52 km / D+: 700 m and D-: 745 m / max altitude: 397 m and min altitude: 242 m
Day 4
From Montceau l'Etoile to Melay
The route begins gently on a magnificent path that follows the Arconce River and leads you to the most beautiful Romanesque church in the region. A visit (guided tours are available) is highly recommended. The route then alternates between forest paths and trails through meadows where Charolais cows graze peacefully, eventually leading you to the small medieval village of Semur-en-Brionnais. Here you can visit the 10th-century castle and the church. Finally, you'll head towards the Loire Valley, where your journey will conclude, after a stop at the Romanesque church of Iguerande.
Easy: 26 km / D+: 473 m and D-: 468 m / max altitude: 410 m and min altitude: 245 m
Average distance: 36 km / Elevation gain: 727 m and elevation loss: 720 m / Maximum altitude: 478 m and Minimum altitude: 245 m
Difficult: 50 km / D+: 950 m and D-: 912 m / max altitude: 504 m and min altitude: 245 m
This cycling tour is self-guided and at your own risk. We will provide you with a tour pack, which will be sent to you by post or email three weeks before your arrival date, containing:
- The contact details for the accommodations.
- The IGN maps will be highlighted.
- The route in .gpx format for GPS.
Departure from Melay, on the day of your choice.
Parking: You have the option of parking your vehicle in a free public car park in Melay (or in the car park of the bed and breakfast where you stayed if you arrived the day before).
Train access: shuttle bus from Roanne station or Le Creusot – Montchanin TGV station to Marcigny.
Dispersion at Melay.
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.
What you need or don't need:
Shampoo and shower gel 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).
Equip yourself with rain gear.
To avoid the consumption of plastic bottles, consider bringing one or two reusable water bottles per person of at least 1,5 liters, which will be filled every morning before your departure.
Don't forget the small emergency pharmacy (antiseptic, bandages, blister plasters, aspirin, mosquito and tick repellent, tick remover, sunscreen, earplugs...).
Bed linen and towels are provided in each accommodation.
For 2 participants sharing the same room: €230 per person on a half-board basis.
For 3 to 4 participants sharing the same room: €180 per person half board.
These rates are for people sharing the same room and bathroom.
For single people, for people wishing for separate rooms, a supplement will be indicated when the quote is drawn up.
In all cases, these prices are given as an indication only; depending on your requests, a quote will be drawn up before booking.
These prices include:
The complete organization of your hike.
Accommodation during the hike includes half board from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 3.
Luggage transport.
The routes on the IGN map for each day of hiking.
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.
Accommodation the day before and the last day of hiking (optional).
- From €60 per adult in a double room with half board.
- From €45 per additional adult (from 12 years old) on half board in the same room.
Transportation 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 (optional).
Lunch picnics + €10 per person per day (optional).
Bike rental + €50 per bike and €90 for an electric bike (optional).