Wine Tourism10 April 20269 min read

Cycling through Burgundy: the best vineyard itineraries

Simon Stoll

Oenosuite Founder

Bicycle leaning against a stone wall in the Côte de Beaune vineyards, Burgundy

Cycling Burgundy: the vineyards at the perfect pace

The Voie des Vignes is a 77-kilometre cycling route linking Dijon to Santenay, running through the heart of the Climats of the Burgundy vineyard, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on 4 July 2015. This cycling itinerary lets you ride through the 1,247 precisely delimited vineyard parcels that make up the Climats, on the slopes of the Côte de Nuits and the Côte de Beaune. The bicycle is the ideal means of transport for exploring this territory: slow enough to savour the landscape, fast enough to move between villages and tastings.

Côte de Nuits: the 'Champs-Élysées of Burgundy'

The first section of the Voie des Vignes, from Dijon to Nuits-Saint-Georges, covers about 25 km and crosses the most prestigious appellations of the Côte de Nuits. Between Gevrey-Chambertin and Vosne-Romanée, over just ten kilometres, 25 Grands Crus of Burgundy red wines are concentrated, earning this stretch the nickname 'the Champs-Élysées of Burgundy'.

The route passes through 25 municipalities, including Marsannay-la-Côte, Fixin, Gevrey-Chambertin, Morey-Saint-Denis, Chambolle-Musigny, Vougeot, Vosne-Romanée and Nuits-Saint-Georges. At each stop, wine estates open their doors for tastings. The elevation gain remains modest, making the route accessible to cyclists of all levels.

Côte de Beaune: from Beaune to Santenay through the great whites

The southern section of the Voie des Vignes links Beaune to Santenay over 22.6 km, following small roads and vineyard paths used by winemakers and harvesters. The itinerary passes through the wine villages of Pommard, Volnay, Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet and Santenay, names that make white wine and Pinot Noir lovers dream.

Beyond Santenay, the cycling route continues towards Nolay along a former railway converted into a 13 km greenway, offering hilly landscapes with the Cormot cliffs and the medieval town of Nolay. This is an ideal section for extending the ride in a wilder, less touristy setting.

Extending to the Côte Chalonnaise

For cyclists wanting to go further, the Côte Chalonnaise offers a natural extension. From Santenay or Chalon-sur-Saône, you can reach the appellations of Rully, Mercurey and Givry, vineyards less well-known than their Côte de Beaune neighbours, but producing equally remarkable wines. At Givry, a greenway along a former railway line winds through the foothills to Buxy, through an almost flat landscape ideal for families.

Practical tips: bike hire, trains and planning

Several bike rental companies operate in Dijon and Beaune: Bourgogne Evasion (5 Allée du Docteur Bouley in Beaune, 78 rue Monge in Dijon), Bourgogne Randonnées, Burgundy Bike and La Vélo Vie. Most offer electric-assist bikes, which are recommended for enjoying tastings without worrying about gentle inclines. Some rental companies deliver directly to your accommodation and allow drop-off in a different town.

For transport, most TER Bourgogne-Franche-Comté regional trains accept bicycles free of charge. Stations at Gevrey-Chambertin, Vougeot, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Corgoloin, Beaune, Meursault and Santenay line the Voie des Vignes, allowing you to adjust the distance depending on your fitness or the weather. For Paris-Dijon-Lyon lines, a bicycle reservation is required.

Tips for a successful trip

A few pointers to make the most of the experience: aim for spring (April-June) or autumn (September-October), when the vines are at their most beautiful and tourist crowds are thinner. Plan to ride in the morning and dedicate afternoons to tastings. Remember that most estates close between noon and 2pm. Bring water, a bike lock for tasting stops, and a pannier for any bottle purchases, a bicycle can carry a few without trouble.

For a wine tourism cycling holiday in Burgundy, oenosuite.fr offers accommodation ideally located in Dijon, at the starting point of the Voie des Vignes. An immersive base in the world of wine, perfect for exploring the vineyards on two wheels.