Loire Bourgogne Randonnées Travel agency - local and sustainable tourism

H I K I N G W I T H A D O N K E Y

SEVEN-DAY UNACCOMPANIED HIKE WITH A DONKEY

We invite you to stroll in the most beautiful WELCOME IN BRIONNAIS Roman garden in , IN BURGUNDY the Brionnais. Let yourself be carried away Seven days is the guarantee of having the time to by the softness and discover this secret region in the best conditions, tranquility of this because slowness here always takes precedence over haste! landscape. This seven-day donkey trek will offer you all the 7 days of hike 6 nights pleasures of a family vacation where you share simple but authentic moments. The donkey will be Medium level the link that will unite you, far from screens and stress, a nature moment to disconnect from your daily life and reconnect to simple but essential Bed and breakfast and unusual things, to get together, to live an adventure that accomodations will be one of your best memory. THE PROGRAM After training with a professional Day 1 trekking donkey, where you will learn to take care of this animal From Melay to Saint Julien de Jonzy : so gentle and patient (brushing, Meet at 9 am, in the town of Melay, at the Donkey Farm cleaning the feet, putting the for two hours of lessons "how to care about my donkey materiel) and where all the and how to drive it easily?" (if you come from far explanations to conduct your enough, we advise you to arrive the day before, the " Donkey in the most simply way, training "will then take place around 5pm). will be given to you, you can You start your hike gently through the towpath of the leave serene with your new canal, then cross the river Loire to walking companion. The donkey will carry your hike on the small paths of Brionnais: paths are bordered luggage and the youngest with hedgerows : it's typical of children when they are tired. A the Brionnais grove. You will pass under the small village real ally for parents, because it is of Fleury la Montagne. You will see in the distance the always there to motivate children church of Mailly and you will end your hike at Saint Julien who will surprise parenrts with de Jonzy. It's a varied and very panoramic hike their walking ability. These seven days will allow you to discover the Loire Valley: an Day 2 easy hike because with very little From Saint Julien de Jonzy to Vauban : elevation. You will then have all A day like a promise: time for oneself, the sweetness of the time to appreciate the many the landscape and an authentic nature ... for all that, you birds that live by the river : the many storks, the various species will find the valley of the Bézo, pretty little river winding of herons that feast on fish and in the middle of the meadows or graze peacefully the at the right times, maybe you can cows charolaises. You can then go for a quiet day or observe the African bee-eaters, alone pushes the pace of the current ... then you will the geese and swans in full reach your evening step migration. crossing the small forest of Foumoux. And in the evening, the family, tired but relaxed, will enjoy a Day 3 nice stopover with the locals, welcomed as friends, at a table From Vauban to Vareilles : where you will be offered meals It is towards the eastern borders of Brionnais that you will made with good local Burgundy venture: small stone walls, small chapel, and one discreet products with a hint of exoticism, Romanesque church in Vareilles, so many small hidden the owner being from Reunion treasures that will be offered to you. Here, everything is only island! A ride with a donkey, is the best calm, luxury and pleasure, it will take time to daydream under a "slow tourism" : a regular rhythm big oak tree, to put you in the rhythm of the Charolaises who of 3 km per hour, time to enjoy brood, watch the buzzards and hawks hunt, close your eyes to the landscape, a nap in the shade better listen and feel : What a pleasant hike! of an oak tree, a meeting with a talkative farmer, time stands still W A L K I N G L E V E L and everything will become so peaceful. Medium DAY 1 : 15 km (Short cut possible: 1,5 and 3 km) - 4 h of walk D+ : 367 m et D- : 189 m DAY 2 : 12,5 km (short cut possible of 2 km) : D+ : 234 m et D - : 319 m DAY 3 : 14 km - 4 h walking (short cut possible of 2 km) : D+ : 252 m et D - : 258 m Please note, this program is given for information only, it can be modified depending on weather conditions, group level and / or availability of accommodation. The walking times are given for information only, without the break times and depend on your walking level. NB : D +: ascent, D-: descent. Day 4 ACCOMODATION From Vareilles to Amanzé : First night : A day that will take you to the castle of Drée, just next to the B&B or wiwgam accomodation small town of . You will get there also by the paths and you can take the time to visit the gardens which are magnificent but also the interior of the castle that its owner wanted to decorate in the style of Versailles!

Day 5 S e c o n d n i g h t : From Amanzé to Saint Christophe en Brionnais : T i p i a c c o m o d a t i o n w i t h Amazing hike that will take you to Oyé, through this beautiful a s w i m m i n g p o o l peaceful village that has a castle (fifteenth-sixteenth century). You can visit the French garden, from July to the end of August. Oye depended on the lords of Semur until in the thirteenth century a junior branch inherited it. It is a breeding area that you cross and that beautiful farms that you will meet will be proof that this breeding has allowed the wealth of these lands! That's why we talk about green gold! T h i r d n i g h t : S t o p o v e r ( o n l y f o r Day 6 y o u r f a m i l y o r y o u r g r o u p ) o n a f a r m o r DAY 5 : From Saint Christophe en Brionnais to Saint Julien h o u s e i n a t r e e de Jonzy : It's a balancing day: it goes up as much as it goes down! That's F o u r t h n i g h t : why we call this part of Brionnais the "little Switzerland" :many b & B , o r g i t e o n a f a r m hills and valleys compose it and give a good rhythm to your o r h o u s e i n a t r e e hike! You will then finish your hike in a beautiful forest on softer elevations!

Day 7

From Saint Julien de Jonzy to Melay : A day to disconnect: your program "nature and tranquility": you F i f t h n i g h t : start your hike in the forest: you cross huge forests of S t o p o v e r ( o n l y f o r y o u r hardwoods like the wood of the tower, the big wood, the wood f a m i l y o r y o u r g r o u p ) of the priests, the wood of the king. At the exit of this forest, it's easy to arrive on the heights of , where you finish the hike by visiting the magnificent Romanesque church of Iguerande overlooking the Loire Valley, a breathtaking view on the river ... Give yourself space time !

W A L K I N G L E V E L S i x t h n i g h t : Medium B & B a c c o m o d a t i o n DAY 4 : 13,5 km - 4 h30 walking (short cut possible of 2 and 5 km) : D+ : 252 m et D - : 258 m DAY 5 : 16 km - 4 h 30 walking (short cut 2 and 5 km) : D+ : 335 m / D- : 250 m DAY 6: 14 km - 4h walking (short cut 1,5 and 3,5 km) : D+ : 330 m / D- : 322 m DAY 7 : 14 km - 4 h of hiking / D+ : 254 m et D- : 432 m On site, you will eat at the table Please note, this program is given for information only, it can be modified depending on weather conditions, group level and / or d'hôtes. availability of accommodation. The pic nic of Day 1 will be prepared The walking times are given for information only, without the break by Bougres d'ânes and the pic nic of times and depend on your walking level. the following days by the NB : D +: ascent, D-: descent. accommodation where you stay LUGGAGE LEVEL ZOOM

PREPARATION The French Federation of hiking has designed a practical tool to Don't charge too much ! estimate the difficulty of the hikes, The donkey carries 30 to 35 kilos maximum weight of a simple one that we have used to luggage and children included: take only useful things! give you an idea of the level required for this hike. The rating of the FFRandonnée is a Two bags in which you will have to distribute your true reflection of the difficulty of a luggage in a balanced way (a scale to weigh the luggage hike expressed according to 3 will be provided for the duration of the hike) will be criteria: EFFORT, TECHNICITY and RISK given to you the day before or the morning of the hike.

General level of the hike: NOT What you need : VERY DIFFICULT

EFFORT: LEVEL 3/5 Your clothes (do not forget a practical and light rain NOT VERY DIFFICULT suit and caps) Hiking requires a certain physical Good hiking shoes and possibly a second pair to rest commitment which remains the feet at night BUT LIGHT (type sandal) measured. This level corresponds to moderate hikes. Shower gel and shampoo not included in the B&B

A gourd of at least 1.5 liters per person which will be TECHNICITY: Level 2/5 filled each morning before your departure. EASY ENOUGH A small emergency pharmacy (antiseptic, bandages, Route or portion of route with obstacles less than or equal to the aspirin, mosquito and anti ticks, sun cream) height of the ankle. The foot is A bicycle helmet for children riding on the donkey applied by looking for "flat" or (MANDATORY, not provided) "comfortable" areas of the One or more small backpacks that allow you to unload support, which are fairly easily identifiable. the donkey when the children are tired or carry the

extra luggage RISK: Level 2/5 that the donkey can not carry. RATHER WEAK Garbage bags for puting your clothes: garbage bags Fairly low level of accident risk. are very light, waterproof, solid and space-saving: it's Exposure to danger remains limited. Injuries are possible but even better minor (examples: fairly marked than a backpack or a gym bag. Suitcases to avoid relief path with possible slope, absolutely. dislocation and possible sprains in the event of a fall, etc.).

What you don't need :

you do not need towels, sheets or sleeping bags You do not need picnic material, everything will be provided with pic nic of the first day games for children (there is everything you need for accommodation) additional food (including for the donkey), meals, breakfasts and pic nic are very plentiful, do not worry PRICES 635 to 665 € per adult in full board from 2 participating adults depending on the accommodation chosen and / or available. LUGGAGE 375 to 405 € per child from 12 years old in full board € 295 to 325 per child under 12 full board TRANSPORT 145 to 175 € per child under 4 in full board T h e l u g g a g e i s t r a n s p o r t e d b y 115 to 145 € per child under 3 years old in full board d o n k e y s . W e r e c o m m e n d a d o n k e y f o r 3 t o 4 p e o p l e w i t h These rates are for 2 adults minimum in the same room. a M A X I M U M o f 3 5 k g , w e i g h t For families of more than 5 people, for people wanting o f l u g g a g e A N D y o u n g separate rooms, for single people or single parents with c h i l d r e n t h a t c a n r i d e t h e one or more children, a supplement will be indicated d o n k e y during the estimate. In all cases, these prices are given as an indication, according to your requests, a quote will be established before booking. OPTIONS These prices include : One Donkey, hiking material and food for the donkey A n a d d i t i o n a l n i g h t w i t h The complete organization of your hike h a l f b o a r d t h e d a y b e f o r e Accomodation during the hike in full board in guest t h e h i k e comfort B&B, wigwam from picnic day 1 to picnic day A n a d d i t i o n a l n i g h t w i t h 7 h a l f b o a r d o n t h e l a s t d a y The start briefing: advices for driving a donkey, o f h i k i n g itinerary A n a d d i t i o n a l d o n k e y The IGN map traces of each hiking day, as well as a t r a n s f e r M a r c i g n y / M e l a y detailed road map. o r P o u i l l y s o u s C h a r l i e u / The GPX tracks of each day of hiking downloadable M e l a y w i t h a t a x i before your arrival C a n c e l l a t i o n a n d i n t e r r u p t i o n i n s u r a n c e These prices don't include : Drinks outside diner and wine during the diner of the day 2 (aperitif and digestif offered this day) and personal expenses Accommodation the day before and the last day of hiking

From € 60 per adult in double room with full board From € 45 per child from 12 years old on full board From € 30 per child under 12 years old with full board From € 20 per child under 4 years old with full board Child sleeping in a cotO anPd uTnIdeOr 4N yeSars old: free

Transport to the starting point of the hike and return The repatriation of the donkey and hikers to the starting point in case of abandonment on your part Insurance, including cancellation and interruption insurance BOOKING ACCESS Please complete the online form by following this link : You are going to the village of Melay in Saône et Loire: department 71 BOOKING FORM Saône et Loire is served by the A6, A39 and A40 motorways and by the national road Center Europe Atlantic. We will get back to you as soon as possible by email with a tailor-made quote for your stay in Southern Burgundy. By road, Melay is 9 hours south of London, 7 hours south of Brussels and Bruges, 3 hours west of You have a question ? Geneva, 4 hours south of Paris, 2 Write to us directly on the contact page of our website hours south west of Dijon, 1 hour 30 minutes south west of Chalon sur saône , 1h30 north-west of Lyon, 1h west of Mâcon, and 20 mins north of Roanne. On Google Map, enter the destination CONTACT "bougres d'ânes".

Loire Bourgogne Randonnées By train, enter as arrival La ferme de Putinat destination: 71 340 MELAY If you come from the North of France or Europe, you can stop at Tel : +33 (0)3 85 84 16 70 - TGV [email protected] station where you will take a bus which will drop you off an hour www.lb-rando.com later at the Marcigny stop where a taxi that we can book take you to your destination. If you come from the south of France or Europe, you must reach Roanne station where we will pick you up where a bus will drop you off at the Pouilly sous Charlieu stop where a taxi that we can book take you to your destination.

SNCF (train) : 00 33 (0)8 92 35 35 35 Brionnais has some wonderful Bus from train station to Marcigny or Pouilly sous Charlieu : surprises in store for you! +33 (0)4 77 68 30 00

2020 price list