Explore the Brionnais, a secret region of pastures and architectural treasures in southern Burgundy. This unique independent walking holiday takes place in the Brionnais, a secret region of Burgundy in central France.
Accommodation & Meals
On this independent walking holiday in the South Burgundy region you will be staying 7 nights in a mixture of good quality small guest houses in historic properties including a couple of chateaux and two with swimming pools. They have been chosen for their local charm, high standards and warm welcome. Full board accommodation (except one evening meal), evening meals are traditional and delicious local dishes and include wine (in all but one guest house). Picnic lunches prepared by your hosts.
When to Travel
Our self-guided walking holiday in the Burgundy is available from the beginning of April to the end of October. From April to October the Burgundy is generally warm, although it can be hot during the months of July and August. However, relative humidity is often low (except during unstable thundery weather.) Ideal walking temperatures (ie late teens to the low twenties centigrade) are generally experienced from late April to early June and from mid September to mid October. Rainfall becomes more and more sporadic and linked to thunderstorms as you move from spring to summer, and this continues into the Autumn. On average there is rain on one in every three days, but this is often for relatively short periods. Autumn is often characterised by warm sunny days. Sunshine totals are characteristic of its position in France and the sun’s strength means that you must protect yourself against the sun even on overcast days. See more details about the Burgundy climate.
Other things to consider are the fact that the leaves are often not the trees or the vines until at least mid April. The grape picking season is often during the first couple of weeks of September and this provides added activity to the countryside. In October the Burgundy takes on a different character with autumn colours.
Navigation, Walking Notes & Maps
Most of this walking holiday follows local trails waymarked in yellow. There are also a number of other waymarkings for example for the area around Charlieu. There is a fairly dense network of signposts with place names and directions in the Burgundy. The walking follows clear paths, tracks and minor roads for its entire duration. Our walking notes are very detailed (more information here) and include intermediate distances for sections of the trail. They also include information about the sites which can be explored along the route. We supply one walking guide per person on this holiday. As well as the detailed walking notes we supply official walking maps produced by the IGN.
Luggage Transfers
On this walking holiday your main luggage is transferred between guest houses so that you only have to carry a day rucksack with picnic lunch (supplied by the guest houses and included in the holiday price), water and spare clothes, waterproofs, camera etc. On your Brionnais walking holiday your luggage transfers are carried out by a mixture of the guest houses, a represenatative of High Point Holidays or a trusted local taxi company. Please limit the weight of your bags where possible to 20kg. We only use hotels and small guest houses in historic buidlings and some of the rooms are accessible by stairs.
Travel Info
Transfers between Lyon Airport or train station (or local train stations, such Villefranche-sur-Saone, Macon, La Clayette) and the Brionnais region of France are included in the price of your independent walking holiday. Pick-ups are generally between 2 and 5 pm. Please contact us if you require pick up at a different time. We can also pick you up from a hotel if you are staying in Lyon before your walking holiday.
Train: Eurostar and the TGV provide a relaxing journey from London Lyon Part Dieu. There are direct Eurostar trains from London on certain days of the week. Otherwise Eurostar trains go via Lille or Paris. In Paris you need to change station (2 stops on the RER).
Flights: The airlines Easy jet, and British Airways have scheduled flights from the UK – Luton, Edinburgh, Birmingham, London Heathrow and Gatwick – to Lyon St Exupery airport.
Note: Please check concerning the availability of a walking holiday before booking any flights or trains. If you need further information or would like to discuss any aspect of your travel arrangements, please contact us, we’re here to help you.
Self Drive
Channel ferry crossings from Dover are provided by a number of operators including P&O Ferries & DFDS seaways. Crossings are also provided by train with Eurotunnel.
Once in France, the journey from Calais to the Brionnais area takes about 7 hours (excluding long breaks).
Tolls amount to about 35 euros each way. Controlled parking is available at the airport for 50 euros. Other secure but non-surveilled parking is available free of charge at your first guest house. We can provide you with a transfer to collect your car at the end of your walking holiday.
Further Information & Advice
For useful advice about independent walking and preparing for your self-guided holiday please take a look at our blog top tips articles. Once you have booked on this independent walking or trekking holiday, further information about the walking, the region, and what to bring, will be sent to you. Please contact us if you need any further information.
Travel Insurance
All customers booking with High Point Holidays are required to have suitable travel insurance to include cover suitable for the activity as well as emergency evacuation and medical treatment. You are required to accept our terms and conditions as part of your booking.
Extra Nights
It is possible to add an additional night at most of the guest houses on the circuit. We would recommend an extra night at Chateau de la Chaix which is a wonderfully refined guest house, where you’ll enjoy great confort as well as great hospitality from Rimma, your host. The start and finish point of this walking holiday is determined by guest house availability, however we can seek to start and finish at Chateau de la Chaix if you would prefer your extra night(s) at your final accommodation.
City Breaks
The nearby city of Lyon is a great destination for a city break and can be easily combined with this walking holiday, as you’ll be picked up and dropped off in the city. Lyon, France’s second city and gastronomic capital, is a lively historic city ideal for those in search of lots to see and do. Classed as a world heritage site, Lyon has it all; roman amphitheatres, medieval streets, renaissance architecture and modern art. See more of our page dedicated to Lyon. We can book a city break for you and provide you with all the information you need for a great stay.
Please consult us for a price on any of the above options.
Combining walking holidays
This wine trail walking holiday can be combined easily with any of our walking holidays elsewhere in the Beaujolais and Burgundy, which all have transfers to and from Lyon.
Tailor-made trips
If you want to learn more about the region’s culture through tailor-made activities and visits, check out those trips that include a few days in the Burgundy region. Contact us to add them to your hike.
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