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

SIX-DAY UNACCOMPANIED HIKE WITH A DONKEY

Hike with a donkey to the border of the WELCOME IN BRIONNAIS Brionnais, romanesque IN BURGUNDY garden of Burgundy, to Six days where you will take the paths of this discover its Romanesque magnificent bocage which will lead you to the most treasures beautiful Romanesque churches in Burgundy This six-day donkey trek will offer you all the pleasures of a family vacation where you share 6 days of hike 5 nights simple but authentic moments. The donkey will be the link that will unite you, far from screens and Medium level stress, a nature moment to disconnect from your daily life and reconnect to simple but essential things, to get together, to live an adventure that Bed and breakfast and unusual will be one of your best memory. accomodations THE PROGRAM After training with a Day 1 professional trekking donkey, where you will learn to take care From Melay to Saint Julien de Jonzy : of this animal so gentle and Meet at 9 am, in the town of Melay, at the Donkey Farm patient (brushing, cleaning the for two hours of lessons "how to care about my donkey feet, putting the materiel) and and how to drive it easily?" (if you come from far where all the explanations to enough, we advise you to arrive the day before, the " conduct your Donkey in the most training "will then take place around 5pm). simply way, will be given to you, You start your hike gently through the towpath of the you can leave serene with your canal, then cross the river Loire to new 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 of Fleury la Montagne. You will see in the distance the is always there to motivate church of Mailly and you will end your hike at Saint Julien children who will surprise de Jonzy. It's a varied and very panoramic hike parenrts with their walking ability. Day 2 These six days will allow you to discover the Loire Valley: an From Saint Julien de Jonzy to Vauban : easy hike because with very little A day like a promise: time for oneself, the sweetness of elevation. You will then have all the landscape and an authentic nature ... for all that, you the time to appreciate the many will find the valley of the Bézo, pretty little river winding birds that live by the river : the in the middle of the meadows or graze peacefully the many storks, the various species cows charolaises. You can then go for a quiet day or of herons that feast on fish and alone pushes the pace of the current ... then you will at the right times, maybe you reach your evening step can observe the African bee- crossing the small forest of Foumoux. eaters, the geese and swans in full migration. Day 3 And in the evening, the family, tired but relaxed, will enjoy a From Vauban to Amanzé : nice stopover with the locals, It is towards the eastern borders of Brionnais that you welcomed as friends, at a table will venture: small stone walls, small chapel, and one where you will be offered meals discreet Romanesque church in Vareilles, so many small made with good local Burgundy hidden treasures that will be offered to you. Here, products with a hint of everything is only calm, luxury and pleasure, it will take exoticism, the owner being from time to daydream under a big oak tree, to put you in the Reunion island! rhythm of the Charolaises who brood, watch the A ride with a donkey, is the best buzzards and hawks hunt, close your eyes to better "slow tourism" : a regular listen and feel : What a pleasant hike! rhythm of 3 km per hour, time to enjoy the landscape, a nap in the shade of an oak tree, a W A L K I N G L E V E L meeting with a talkative farmer, Medium time stands still and everything DAY 1 : 15 km (Short cut possible: 1,5 and 3 km) - 4 h of walk will become so peaceful. 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. THE PROGRAM ACCOMODATION Day 4 First night : B&B or wiwgam accomodation From Amanzé to Saint Christophe en Brionnais : Amazing hike that will take you to Oyé, through this beautiful 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 S e c o n d n i g h t : cross and that beautiful farms that you will meet will be T i p i a c c o m o d a t i o n w i t h proof that this breeding has allowed the wealth of these a s w i m m i n g p o o l lands! That's why we talk about green gold!

Day 5

DAY 5 : From Saint Christophe en Brionnais to Saint Julien de Jonzy : T h i r d n i g h t : It's a balancing day: it goes up as much as it goes down! b & B , o r g i t e o n a f a r m That's why we call this part of Brionnais the "little o r h o u s e i n a t r e e Switzerland" :many hills and valleys compose it and give a good rhythm to your hike! You will then finish your hike in a beautiful forest on softer elevations!

Day 6 F o u r t h n i g h t : From Saint Julien de Jonzy to Melay : S t o p o v e r ( o n l y f o r y o u r A day to disconnect: your program "nature and f a m i l y o r y o u r g r o u p ) tranquility": you start your hike in the forest: you cross huge forests of hardwoods like the wood of the tower, the big wood, the wood 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 F i f t h n i g h t : Iguerande overlooking the Loire Valley, a breathtaking B & B a c c o m o d a t i o n view on the river ... Give yourself space time !

W A L K I N G L E V E L Medium DAY 4 : 16 km - 4 h 30 walking (short cut 2 and 5 km) : D+ : O n s i t e , y o u w i l l e a t a t 335 m / D- : 250 m t h e t a b l e d ' h ô t e s . DAY 5 : 14 km - 4h walking (short cut 1,5 and 3,5 km) : D+ : 330 m / D- : 322 m T h e p i c n i c o f D a y 1 DAY 6 : 14 km - 4 h of hiking / D+ : 254 m et D- : 432 m w i l l b e p r e p a r e d b y Please note, this program is given for information only, B o u g r e s d ' â n e s a n d t h e it can be modified depending on weather conditions, p i c n i c o f t h e f o l l o w i n g group level and / or availability of accommodation. The walking times are given for information only, d a y s b y t h e without the break times and depend on your walking a c c o m m o d a t i o n w h e r e level. y o u s t a y NB : D +: ascent, D-: descent. LUGGAGE LEVEL ZOOM PREPARATION T h e F r e n c h F e d e r a t i o n o f h i k i n g h a s d e s i g n e d a p r a c t i c a l t o o l t o e s t i m a t e t h e Don't charge too much ! d i f f i c u l t y o f t h e h i k e s , a The donkey carries 30 to 35 kilos maximum weight of s i m p l e o n e t h a t w e h a v e u s e d luggage and children included: take only useful things! t o g i v e y o u a n i d e a o f t h e l e v e l r e q u i r e d f o r t h i s h i k e . T h e r a t i n g o f t h e Two bags in which you will have to distribute your F F R a n d o n n é e i s a t r u e luggage in a balanced way (a scale to weigh the luggage r e f l e c t i o n o f t h e d i f f i c u l t y o f will be provided for the duration of the hike) will be a h i k e e x p r e s s e d a c c o r d i n g t o given to you the day before or the morning of the hike. 3 c r i t e r i a : E F F O R T , T E C H N I C I T Y a n d R I S K

G e n e r a l l e v e l o f t h e h i k e : What you need : E N O U G H E A S Y

E F F O R T : L E V E L 3 / 5 Your clothes (do not forget a practical and light rain N O T V E R Y D I F F I C U L T suit and caps) H i k i n g r e q u i r e s a c e r t a i n Good hiking shoes and possibly a second pair to rest p h y s i c a l c o m m i t m e n t w h i c h the feet at night BUT LIGHT (type sandal) r e m a i n s m e a s u r e d . T h i s l e v e l c o r r e s p o n d s t o m o d e r a t e Shower gel and shampoo not included in the B&B h i k e s . A gourd of at least 1.5 liters per person which will be filled each morning before your departure. T E C H N I C I T Y : L e v e l 2 / 5 A small emergency pharmacy (antiseptic, bandages, E A S Y E N O U G H aspirin, mosquito and anti ticks, sun cream) R o u t e o r p o r t i o n o f r o u t e w i t h o b s t a c l e s l e s s t h a n o r A bicycle helmet for children riding on the donkey e q u a l t o t h e h e i g h t o f t h e (MANDATORY, not provided) a n k l e . T h e f o o t i s a p p l i e d b y One or more small backpacks that allow you to unload l o o k i n g f o r " f l a t " o r the donkey when the children are tired or carry the " c o m f o r t a b l e " a r e a s o f t h e s u p p o r t , w h i c h a r e f a i r l y extra luggage e a s i l y i d e n t i f i a b l e . that the donkey can not carry. Garbage bags for puting your clothes: garbage bags R I S K : L e v e l 2 / 5 are very light, waterproof, solid and space-saving: it's R A T H E R W E A K F a i r l y l o w l e v e l o f a c c i d e n t even better r i s k . E x p o s u r e t o d a n g e r than a backpack or a gym bag. Suitcases to avoid r e m a i n s l i m i t e d . I n j u r i e s a r e absolutely. p o s s i b l e b u t m i n o r ( e x a m p l e s : f a i r l y m a r k e d r e l i e f p a t h w i t h p o s s i b l e s l o p e , d i s l o c a t i o n a n d p o s s i b l e s p r a i n s i n t h e What you don't need : e v e n t o f a f a l l , e t c . ) .

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 LUGGAGE € 535 to 580 per adult with full board from 2 participating adults. TRANSPORT 315 to 360 € per child from 12 years old 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 245 to 290 € per child under 12 in full board. b y d o n k e y s . W e r e c o m m e n d 135 to 165 € per child under 4 in full board. 105 to 135 € per child under 3 years old in full board. a d o n k e y f o r 3 t o 4 p e o p l e

w i t h a M A X I M U M o f 3 5 k g , These rates are for 2 adults minimum in the same room. For families of more than 5 people, for people wanting w e i g h t o f l u g g a g e A N D separate rooms, for single people or single parents with y o u n g c h i l d r e n t h a t c a n one or more children, a supplement will be indicated r i d e t h e 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 OPTIONS before booking. A n a d d i t i o n a l n i g h t w i t h

These prices include : h a l f b o a r d t h e d a y b e f o r e One Donkey, hiking material and food for the donkey t h e h i k e The complete organization of your hike A n a d d i t i o n a l n i g h t w i t h Accomodation during the hike in full board in guest comfort B&B, wigwam from picnic day 1 to picnic day h a l f b o a r d o n t h e l a s t 6 d a y o f h i k i n g The start briefing: advices for driving a donkey, A n a d d i t i o n a l d o n k e y itinerary 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

These prices don't include : i n t e r r u p t i o n i n s u r a n c e 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 unOdePr 4T yIeaOrs NoldS with full board Child sleeping in a cot and under 4 years 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 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