Southern Burgundy by bike : Chalon-sur-Saône / Mâcon

Official route

DSL 71 / Seb Geo

DSL 71 / Joly Michel

À vélo sur la voie verte au cœur des vignes - Bourgogne du Sud

DSL 71 / Joly Michel

Round trip

144 km

Short trip

I begin

Chalon-sur-Saône

Mâcon

In the vineyards

Family

Nature & small heritage

Southern Burgundy is made for cycling. The first-ever French greenway was set up here, from Givry’s vineyards to the famed Cluny Abbey. Now, enjoy a splendid circuit between Chalon and Mâcon, taking the greenway out via the vinous Côte Chalonnaise, returning by the Voie Bleue, a waterside route by the Saône. Gastronomy, wine-tasting and fine heritage sights are on offer on this easy, delightful section. Count on a trip of 3 to 4 days.

Route signage

La Bourgogne du Sud is fully signposted in both directions. You’ll have no trouble finding your way thanks to the green-and-white directional signs for cyclists.

Direction of travel

You can start from either Chalon-sur-Saône or Mâcon, and ride the loop clockwise or counterclockwise—it works well both ways.

Gradients and elevation

Ascents: 320m

Descents: 318m

Lowest point: 169m

Highest point: 360m

Road types

12km (7%) By road

159km (93%) Cycle path

Surface

16km (9%) Smooth

122km (72%) Unknown

33km (19%) Rough

C'est un itinéraire idéal pour les familles !

Lisez notre article spécial famille

Trains et transport sur Southern Burgundy by bike : Chalon-sur-Saône / Mâcon

Both gateway towns (Chalon-sur-Saône and Mâcon) are well served by frequent train connections from major cities, with services that accommodate bicycles.

Not to be missed on this route

The Château de Cormatin

Sites and historical monuments

Cormatin

Entre Tournus et Cluny, au cœur de la Bourgogne du Sud, le château de Cormatin vous attend au milieu de ses jardins et de ses pièces d’eau. Les marquis d’Huxelles l'ont fait construire au début du XVIIe siècle pour témoigner de leur puissance et de leur prestige : larges douves, tourelles, haut socle à bossages, canonnières et pont-levis, le château était fait pour impressionner. Il y réussit encore aujourd’hui. Richement restauré et meublé, ce château privé est ouvert à la visite.

Show all on the map

"Accueil Vélo" accommodation on Southern Burgundy by bike : Chalon-sur-Saône / Mâcon

75 Accueil Vélo accommodations await you on Southern Burgundy by bike : Chalon-sur-Saône / Mâcon!

View accommodations on the map

Campsites

Bed and breakfast

Hotels

View all accommodations

The 6 stages of Southern Burgundy by bike : Chalon-sur-Saône / Mâcon

2 Châlon-sur-Saône / Tournus

33 km

2 h 09 min

I begin

This stage through Southern Burgundy takes you along a provisional, unofficial stretch of cycle path on the Voie Bleue. It will be laid out properly between Tournus and Chalon in due course. The route is along small, flat roads through the alluvial plains of the Chalonnais area. This stage is for experienced cyclists. Enjoy the majestic arrival in Chalon along the Saône quays.

3 Tournus / Mâcon

33 km

2 h 10 min

I begin

This stage on the greenways of Southern Burgundy is lined with charming villages built around Romanesque churches. Here you join the Voie Bleue (Blue Way), laid out between Mâcon and Fleurville, before reaching the remarkable old town of Tournus. This stage, close to the Saône River, known since ancient times for its river mariners, offers fairly easy cycling.

4 Mâcon / Cluny

28 km

1 h 51 min

I begin

Going from Cluny to Mâcon, this stage on the greenways of Southern Burgundy leaves the Côte Chalonnaise slopes behind to climb to the Tunnel du Bois Clair, the longest tunnel in Europe open to cyclists. On the other side, you emerge in the striking landscapes of the Mâconnais area, with limestone cliffs and steep vineyards sloping down to the majestic Saône River.

5 Cluny / Cormatin

14 km

1 h 18 min

I begin

There’s a timeless quality to this legendary stage on the greenways of Southern Burgundy leading to the great Cluny Abbey. The way meanders between the vine-covered Côte Chalonnaise slopes and the pretty Grosne Valley. Then the belltowers of medieval Cluny Abbey come into view amidst green hills before your gentle arrival at this remarkable village.

6 Cormatin / Buxy

20 km

1 h 08 min

I begin

Taking you to the elegant Renaissance château at Cormatin, this stage on the greenways of Southern Burgundy continues on the trail of the disused railway line meandering along below the vine-covered Côte Chalonnaise slopes. There are hundreds of heritage delights to discover in the unspoilt villages and medieval churches dotted around.

7 Buxy / Chalon-sur-Saône

17 km

1 h 08 min

I begin

Leaving Chalon, enjoy one of the most beautiful greenways on the whole Burgundy by Bike route. This stage on greenways through Southern Burgundy follows a disused railway line meandering through the Côte Chalonnaise vine slopes towards the town of Mâcon. The whole stage is on greenways, except exiting Chalon.

Southern Burgundy by bike : Chalon-sur-Saône / Mâcon