Burgundy (8/10)
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Burgundy is another of France's most popular cycling regions. The combination of excellent food and drink, history and culture, scenery and quiet back roads makes a splendid backdrop for a cycling vacation.
While Dijon is the administrative capital of the region, the historic town of Beaune is its heart. The two main industries here are tourism and the wine trade, and both expect to eat and drink well and so a wide variety of restaurants are available, from Michelin stars to simple bistros and wine bars. As Burgundy is further north, the cycling season is shorter - May and October are unpredictable. Unlike Provence ,however, summers are reasonably cool here and so a cycling stay in July or August is not out of the question. |
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Route Variety 8/10
With the Cotes de Beaune escarpment rising sharply to the west of the famed wine village of Beaune, there are some more challenge route options here versus St. Emilion. (the route de Bouilland is an all time favorite of local cyclists, winding its way up from Savigny into the hills, first past vineyards and then into forests.) Other popular routes weave through famed wine villages such as Pommard, Meursault, Nuits St. George, Volnay.... |
Hills: 7/10
Again, there are no long killer climbs in the Burgundy region. Except for the Cote hillside, the routes are mostly rolling or flat. That said, by heading up into the Cotes de Beaune and further north Cotes de Nuits you can get a very good workout. A variety of short (less than 1 mile typically) steep climbs dot the area if so desired. |
Cycling Safety 8/10
There is a good network of secondary and tertiary roads here that make safe cycling possible. |
Non-cycling Interest: 9/10
In a word: Outstanding. Between vineyard visits, the Hospice de Beaune with its famed multi-colored ceramic tile roof, cafes, shopping and museums, there is a bounty of off the bike options in Burgundy. |
Weather and Seasons 7/10
Traditionally wine makers start watching the weather very carefully in September, as they know the rains will likely come and so have to time their grape harvest date carefully. Nonetheless, The Achilles heel of the southwest region might be that the season is shorter and the weather less reliable. Cyclists should probably consider June and September as the ideal months. The summer months, though, while too hot in Provence, are ideal for cycling here. |
