Burgundy
A Journey from River to Vineyard: Loire to Beaune via Paray-le-Monial
Leaving the gentle, meandering rhythm of the Loire River, the landscape begins to shift. The wide open riverbanks and poplar-lined towpaths give way to soft rolling hills, ochre villages, and the timeless elegance of Burgundy.
As you follow the Loire eastward, La Charité-sur-Loire welcomes you into Burgundy—a small, quiet town rich with medieval charm and a storied past. Here, you leave behind the Loire’s royal castles and begin to feel the spiritual and rural soul of Burgundy. Vineyards begin to dot the countryside, and Romanesque churches replace Renaissance châteaux.
Turning inland at Paray-le-Monial, you enter the heartland of Burgundy’s spiritual and agricultural heritage. This sacred town, known for its magnificent Romanesque basilica and deep Catholic roots, invites a slower pace and inner reflection. The journey begins to climb gently, surrounded by pastures, stone walls, and villages that seem untouched by time.
As you move northeast toward Beaune, the land rises and becomes more textured—vineyards stretch in perfect rows across sun-kissed slopes. You pass through historic wine villages like Mercurey, Rully, or Santenay, each one a doorway into Burgundy’s viticultural soul. The road is lined with climats—small, named vineyard plots that are the lifeblood of Burgundy’s terroir-driven wines.
Finally, arriving in Beaune feels like entering the heart of Burgundy itself. Enclosed by medieval ramparts and vibrant with life, it’s a town where wine, history, and hospitality meet. The Hôtel-Dieu, cobbled streets, and wine caves are a perfect reward for a journey that began along the tranquil Loire and wound its way through Burgundy’s sacred and sensory heartland.
As we biked our way toward Couchey, we passed through Fixin, where some vineyards were still in the final days of the harvest. The scene was captivating—I couldn’t take my eyes off it. I stopped for a moment, drawn in by the rhythm of the harvest, the golden light on the vines, and the quiet dedication of the workers. We continued on to Couchey for a wine tasting with the local vineyard growers, carrying the beauty of Fixin with us
Burgundy is home to some of the best bike-friendly infrastructure in France,
Cycling in the Burgundy region (Bourgogne) is one of the most rewarding ways to explore its vineyards, medieval towns, rivers, and countryside—all at a slow, immersive pace. It's a dream for wine lovers, culture seekers, photographers, and outdoor adventurers alike.
Visiting Clos Veugueot is part of stops in the Burgundy region.
Visiting Clos de Vougeot makes for a meaningful stop between Vosne-Romanée and Chambolle-Musigny, surrounded by vineyards producing some of the most esteemed wines in the world. It’s a place to:
Connect with the deep history of Burgundy.
Understand the monastic roots of viticulture.
Take in spectacular vineyard views and architecture.
Enjoy a guided tasting or cultural visit (no wine is made onsite anymore, but producers in the area offer Clos de Vougeot wines).
Gevrey-Chambertin
Gevrey-Chambertin is one of the most iconic and prestigious wine villages in Burgundy’s Côte de Nuits. It’s located just a short ride north of Nuits-Saint-Georges and Beaune, and it's often referred to as the “Kingdom of Pinot Noir.”
Gevrey-Chambertin itself is a modest and working wine village, not overly touristic but welcoming. The surrounding landscape is a patchwork of vine-covered hills, ancient stone walls, and narrow lanes.
The atmosphere is quietly proud—this is a village where terroir is everything, and locals live and breathe wine.
🚲 For Cyclists and Explorers
Gevrey-Chambertin is a favorite stop for cyclists on the Route des Grands Crus.
The vineyard paths here are serene and ideal for slow travel—you’ll pass famous Grand Cru parcels with small stone signs marking their names.
Vélo Notes
I passed here on the way to Dijon and had two glasses of wine Quite interesting how life unfolds! I ran into Monique and Dominique in Gevrey Chambertin when I went for cover from a surprising summer downpour, after a chat together; actually they were friendly and chatted a bit, for their English is limited. then we took a short stage tour together and had a glass of wine before saying goodbye. The following year, we arranged a get-together and took the other side of Burgundy.
MERSAULT
I once passed here in the morning and grabbed pastries in the square and never bothered to taste their wine. Coming here for the second time has changed my perspective. Knowing its wine — It's internationally renowned for producing some of the finest white wines in the world, particularly from Chardonnay grapes — you can’t miss any opportunity.
Meursault is a picturesque village with golden-stone houses, quiet streets, and a peaceful pace. The town feels authentic and lived-in, with a blend of winemaking tradition, rural beauty, and understated elegance. It's less touristy than Beaune, yet it's a beloved stop for wine lovers and cyclists exploring the Route des Grands Crus.
Rully is a charming village in the Côte Chalonnaise of Burgundy, known for its elegant white wines from Chardonnayand delicate reds from Pinot Noir, often offering great quality at more accessible prices than the Côte d'Or. Surrounded by gently rolling vineyards and crowned by a 13th-century château, Rully combines wine heritage with understated beauty and tranquility.
Additionally, Rully was one of the first appellations to produce Crémant de Bourgogne in the 19th century, making it historically significant in Burgundy’s sparkling wine tradition. Its Premier Cru vineyards and commitment to quality have helped raise the profile of the Côte Chalonnaise on the global wine stage.
Santenay is a picturesque wine village at the southern end of the Côte de Beaune in Burgundy, known for producing robust yet elegant red wines from Pinot Noir and a smaller amount of fresh, mineral-driven white wines from Chardonnay. While less famous than its northern neighbors, Santenay offers excellent value and a more relaxed, authentic feel. The village is also known for its thermal spa history, scenic vineyard trails, and the Château de Santenay, a striking estate with a colorful Burgundian tiled roof that doubles as a working winery. With its combination of wine, history, and countryside charm, Santenay is a rewarding stop for travelers seeking Burgundy off the beaten path.
In and around Chassagne-Montrachet, the route follows quiet country roads and vineyard lanes, making it perfect for cycling or walking. The paths offer up-close views of Premier Cru and Grand Cru plots, with small stone markers indicating each climat (named vineyard parcel). You can easily ride or walk from Chassagne to Puligny-Montrachet, Meursault, or Santenay, with beautiful stops for tastings, local cuisine, or scenic vineyard photography
Chassagne-Montrachet, located in the southern Côte de Beaune, is one of Burgundy’s most prestigious wine villages, renowned for producing some of the world’s finest white wines from Chardonnay, including a share of the legendary Montrachet Grand Cru vineyard. It also produces elegant, structured red wines from Pinot Noir, though whites dominate. With its mix of grand terroir, historic stone houses, and working wineries, Chassagne-Montrachet embodies the heart of Burgundy’s wine tradition.