Chablis Vineyard Self-Guided Walk Trip Notes

Current as of: July 5, 2019 - 09:18 Valid for departures: From June 28, 2018 to December 31, 2030

 Ways to Travel: Self-Guided 9 Days Land only Trip Code:  Destinations: Adventure Holidays in France Min age: 8 Leisurely / Moderate  Programmes: Walking & Trekking W08BU

Trip Overview

Starting in medieval Auxerre, one of the prettiest riverside cities in France, this gentle-paced ramble takes you through picture- postcard Burgundy. You'll walk along towpaths, river valleys and wheat fields alive with bright red poppies, as you head via the wine capital of Chablis, to the fortified medieval town of Vezelay, an important stopping-off point for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. Vespers are still held here daily at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Basilica of Mary Magdalene. En route, you'll pass through world-famous vineyards with plenty of degustation opportunities and flower-filled hillsides crowned with woods and pretty riverside villages.

At a Glance

 8 nights hotel-to-hotel accommodation  Continental breakfast and 6 evening meals  Services of your local Headwater Representative  Headwater Wine Collection Service  Route directions and maps  Luggage transfers between hotels  Walking transfers

 Countries visited: Adventure Holidays in France

Trip Highlights

 Relaxed walking following the Grand Randonnee, part of St Jacques' route to Compostela  Gentle rolling landscapes, forests, farms, poppies, sunflowers and vines  World-famous wines including Chablis, Irancy, Aligote and Cremant  Steeped in historic interest: ancient Auxerre, medieval Cravant and UNESCO basilica at Vezelay  Masses of flora and fauna, roe deer, hen harriers, hoopoe and wildflowers

Is This Trip for You?

Walking Conditions Classification: Self-Guided Average daily distance: 16km (10 miles). Please note that this is the average of the shortest distances, on day 4 there is the option to extend the walk. No. of days walking: 4 Terrain and route: Moderately easy walking following the well-marked GR13, with just the odd short, steepish climb. Towpaths, wooded slopes, hilltops and vineyards. Vehicle Support: This is a self-guided trip for those who prefer to walk independently, but with our assistance to take out the stress of the logistics and planning. We arrange your accommodation, provide you with a map and route notes so that you can walk at your own pace, while your bags are transported from one hotel to the next.

It is important that you are happy reading maps and following route notes, we make these as accurate as possible and they are regularly checked.

As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There maybe others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. The routes notes contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the hotels are normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service.

Group

As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. A local representative is on hand to assist you and will meet you at the beginning of the week to set up your bike and go through the route notes and point out particular places of interest. Your luggage is transferred and route notes and maps are provided. The route notes contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone number. In an emergency, the local representative is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service.

Adult min age: 18 Child min age: 8 Child max age: 17

Itinerary Land Only

Start City: Auxerre End City: Auxerre

Land Only Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive at Auxerre Your hotel is ideally situated just a few minutes' walk from Auxerre's historic centre.(Staying at Hotel Normandie, Breakfast only) Day 2 Auxerre to Chablis We give you a lift to Venoy where you join the 'Wine and Cheese route' ambling gently through vineyards until you reach the lakeside wine village of Beine. After a leisurely lunch, you stroll along the lake beneath the Premier Cru vineyards into the village of Poinchy where you will find some of our favourite Chablis caves. Your final stretch follows the River Serein into the town of Chablis and on to your hotel, a gastronomic jewel nestled in the heart of the town. (Staying at Hostellerie des Clos, Half board)