The route is provisional on this stage of the Canal de Bourgogne à Vélo. It starts north of Auxerre at Vieux Migennes, where a church known as ‘the Railwaymen’s Lourdes’ watches over a major rail junction. The port at Migennes, where the Yonne River is joined by the Canal de Bourgogne, is the starting point into the Burgundian hills.

Keeping close to Burgundy’s border with the Champagne region, this stage of the Burgundy canal by bike runs between unspoilt hills and the little villages of the Florentinois and Tonnerrois areas. Finally, you’ll see the church steeple of Tonnerre ahead, marking the medieval town. Following the towpath on this stage, note that it hasn’t been done up yet.

This Burgundy Canal by Bike stage is along a greenway meandering around the limestone plateaux of the Tonnerrois area from which so much of Burgundy’s celebrated white stone was quarried. From Tanlay on, follow a wilder stretch of valley. From here, the route is dotted with abbeys, elegant villages and Renaissance castles, that at Ancy-le-Franc the finest.

This stage of the Burgundy Canal by Bike is on a greenway laid out along the towpath. After Ravières, the valley route is quite wild, set between wooded banks. Don’t miss the Grande Forge, one of the finest vestiges of France’s industrial past, at Buffon, where Armançon and Brenne Rivers merge. Go via the Brenne to see the interesting town of Montbard.

This stage of the Burgundy Canal by Bike goes from the Montbardois to the Auxois area, through lands rich in history. The countryside is marked by wooded hills and plateaux where white cows graze. The greenway leads to Mont-Auxois, a hill dominated by a statue of Vercingétorix, leader of the Gaulish tribes beaten here by Caesar.

The first part of this stage of the Burgundy Canal by Bike is dominated by the Mont-Auxois hill, where Caesar vanquished the Gauls at the Siege of Alésia of 52 BC. Tackle the slow ascent of the ‘Valley of 40 Locks’ to the impressive Voûte de Pouilly-en-Auxois, a canal tunnel under Pouilly-town. A memorable stage, with the striking old port at Pont-Royal to see too.

After a hemmed-in part at Pont-Royal, this stage of the Burgundy Canal by Bike leads you up onto the so-called ‘roof of Burgundy’. At 378m above sea-level you come to the highest point of the highest canal in France! Located at the foot of the Monts de Bourgogne (Burgundian Hills) Pouilly-en-Auxois is a green little town, a welcoming stop-over by the canal.

This is surely one of the most beautiful stages on the Burgundy Canal by Bike. The route takes you down the Ouche Valley, beside a series of locks, to the little port of Vandenesse. Then head through wooded straits dotted with historic curiosities to uncover, hidden away in corners of the deep little valleys round and about. A memorable stage.

Starting from Pont-de-Pany, this stage of the Canal de Bourgogne à Vélo links the Burgundy countryside to its capital. Lovely surprises lie tucked away in this stretch of the Ouche Valley, where wealthy Dijon families used to come to relax. You arrive in the city of Dijon via Lake Kir and its large park much appreciated by families and sporty types.

This stage of the Burgundy Vineyard Way by bike links the region’s elegant capital, Dijon, and the winemaking villages of the famed Côte to the south. Although this stretch is provisional and as yet unofficial, it is of intense interest to wine-lovers, taking small roads through villages that carry prestigious appellation names, like Le Clos de Vougeot.

This stage of the Burgundy Voie des Vignes à Vélo (Vineyard Way) links the region’s two most celebrated wine towns. Nuits-Saint-Georges makes a lively wine stop along the vine-covered slopes; Beaune impresses visitors with its rich architectural heritage and was once an historic residence of the Dukes of Burgundy. Although this is an unofficial stage, it is easy.

Between Beaune and Santenay, the Burgundy Vineyard Way takes you meandering through the region’s most famous wine appellations. Make fascinating discoveries among these blessed vineyards: visit wine cellars and winemakers’ villages; enjoy local gastronomy among the vines; and take in the views of the Burgundian hills. This stage is easy and well signposted.

This stage of the “Wine Route” by bike follows the Canal du Centre (part of EuroVelo 6), which winds gently below the slopes of Santenay. It leads to Chalon, another wine town, along a მშვიდ, scenic canal popular with anglers, cyclists, and boaters. The route is mostly on dedicated greenways, with only short sections on regular roads when entering towns.

This stage, shared with the EuroVelo 6 route, takes you along a provisional cycle route through pretty Burgundian hills. Note that the way is along quite steep little roads and should only be tackled by experienced cyclists. You can avoid this difficulty by taking the train from Chagny to Montchanin.

Your cycling trip will be punctuated by many sites bearing witness to Southern Burgundy’s rich industrial past. The historic mining town of Montceau-les-Mines is a stop that proves both surprising and enjoyable. There isn’t a greenway set up along this stretch for the time being, but you take a calm small road beside the canal.

This stage in Burgundy meanders between the Canal du Centre and Bourbince River. You pass significant vestiges left from the mining and steel-making industries that long brought activity to the canal in times past. From Palinges, the atmosphere changes as you come to the Renaissance castle at Digoine. This stage is along roads.

Starting with the elegant Château de Digoine, you cross a part of Burgundy that takes you back in time, scattered with meadows where beautiful white Charolais cows graze. The route is along roads leading to the remarkable little pilgrimage town of Paray-le-Monial and to the canal-side greenway going on to the town of Digoin.

You will ride your bicycle on an idyllic route from Paray-le-Monial to Digoin. A greenway meanders through utterly peaceful countryside, beside the Canal du Centre, used by pleasure craft. At Digoin, an ingenious canal-bridge crosses the Loire to join the Canal Latéral à la Loire running beside the mighty river. A very easy stage.

On your bicycle, you pedal along the regional border between Burgundy and Auvergne. In fact, there’s a detour you can enjoy on a new greenway beside the Canal Latéral à la Loire in the Auvergne county of Allier. The official route sticks to quiet roads through Burgundy’s Charolais hills. The suggested detour is easy and accessible to all.

You feel the irresistible pull of the Loire on this Tour de Bourgogne by bike stage. From Gilly-sur-Loire to the charming little thermal spa town of Bourbon-Lancy, a pretty cycle track goes along a disused railway line. A highlight is the Château de Saint-Aubin-sur-Loire, its formal French gardens descending to the river. This stage is easy and enjoyable.

This cycling stage in Burgundy meanders through gentle hills looking down on the Loire. Traditional farms are dotted around, with white Charolais cows grazing in the pastures. You also get views to the Bourbonnais mountains in the distance. This stage is for experienced cyclists, although it doesn’t present any major difficulties.

Between Loire and Burgundy, on this stage you enter the western Burgundian county of the Nièvre, also known as the Nivernais. You cycle for a short stretch beside the Loire before heading across hilly terrain to join the Canal du Nivernais. A greenway leads to the pretty mariners’ town of Decize, back beside the Loire. A stage for experienced cyclists.

This final stage on the Nivernais Canal by Bike links up with the Loire Valley and the EuroVelo 6 cycle route. The canal ends its journey with a gentle descent beside the Aron River to the port of Saint-Thibault. Enjoy the bucolic greenway in the midst of an historic plain. The stage ends at Decize, a port set at a crossroads of waterways since antiquity.

This stage of the Nivernais Canal by Bike takes you through the Bazois area, where cattle are reared. Enjoy the countryside dotted with castles and churches as well as forests and pastures, the last filled with white herds. After further meanders, including the striking one at Panneçot, the canal races in a straight line to join the Loire.

After a long straight stretch, this stage of the Nivernais Canal by Bike takes you climbing through La Collancelle Wood. Here, enjoy the array of 16 locks, matched by as many lively lock-keepers’ houses. You reach the highest point on the canal at Port-Brulé Lock and Baye Lake, before descending to Châtillon-en-Bazois. This is a splendid stage.

This Nivernais Canal by Bike stage sticks close to the Yonne before the river comes down from the Morvan hills. The greenway runs beside the canal, with its sweet raising bridges, locks and old villages that give it typical Nivernais charm. This area is associated with a beloved French fictional character, ginger-haired Poil de Carotte. Note the detour by road to reach Corbigny.

This Nivernais Canal by Bike stage passes at the foot of impressive cliffs. Around here, the Yonne has carved out many meanders, but the canal shortens the way. On the final bend, medieval Clamecy comes into view. Trade from its port was dominated by floating wood downstream. Discover the rich local heritage via greenways, plus a few stretches on roads.

With this stage of the Nivernais Canal by Bike, you can leave the lively river port at Auxerre with ease. From the outset, you’ll be struck by the power of the Yonne River. You reach Cravant via a route running along the foot of pretty hills planted with vines and cherry trees. Then you pass through a gorge with striking cliffs and perched villages.

This stage provides the link between the Burgundy Canal by Bike at Migennes and the Nivernais Canal by Bike at Auxerre. It is not an officially laid-out route, but it is lovely, allowing you to go from Migennes to Auxerre by bike without hassle, following the Yonne River closely. The stage doesn’t present any difficulties, but focus on the route, as it isn’t signposted.