The Great Loop of Southern Burgundy
A cult route (with the Vélo & Fromages label) from Chalon-sur-Saône to Mâcon
A cult route (with the Vélo & Fromages label) that runs from Chalon-sur-Saône to Mâcon in three or four days. Between Givry and Cluny, it follows the Voie Verte - a pioneer of its kind that has become the benchmark in France and abroad - and is number one in terms of interest and appeal. Two great vineyards - Côte Chalonnaise to the north and Mâconnais to the south - invite you to discover their wines, their scenery and their villages. Stroll through the medieval villages of Buxy and Saint-Gengoux-le-National. Visit the marquise at the Renaissance château in Cormatin, with its magnificent flats and gardens. Stroll through the narrow streets of Cluny and Tournus and visit their abbeys, masterpieces of Romanesque art. The appearance of the Berzé-le-Châtel fortified castle, as majestic as it is unexpected, marks the border of the Val Lamartien. Let yourself be captivated by the landscape of vineyards and the inimitable silhouettes of the Solutré and Vergisson rocks on the horizon. In Mâcon, stroll along the Lamartine esplanade and don't miss the unusual Maison de Bois. In Tournus, take a trip to the cycling museum with its remarkable collections. The Voie Bleue (Blue Way), a serene country road, runs alongside the Saône as far as Chalon-sur-Saône, where you complete your tour. Take time to visit the historic heart of the town around Place Saint-Vincent, dominated by its cathedral, and enjoy a gourmet break!
Tip: download the Voie Verte 71 app and let it guide you around the 45 must-see points on the route!
Extra info: going through the Bois Clair tunnel at Berzé-le-Châtel is an adventure in itself, with this (illuminated) tunnel dug into the rock (4-6 mins by bike, 6-10 mins on rollerblades, 15-20 mins on foot). Cut into the Bois Clair hill to link Mâcon to Cluny by train in the past, it spans a distance of 1.6 km and maintains a temperature of 11°. You shiver because it's chilly and it's home to bats (a small protected population that never bothers anyone). To avoid disturbing their hibernation, the tunnel is closed from October to mid-April. During this period, the bypass route (4 km, loop no. 14) puts more strain on the calves. The tunnel is open: from 15/04 to 31/08 from 8am to 8pm and from 01/09 to 30/09 from 8am to 7pm.
