Medieval Burgundy: The Monk’s Trail – Short

Burgundy: The Monk’s Trail

Our short break independent walking holiday in the southern Burgundy region of France explores a rich landscape full of historic treasures between the two religious towns of Tournus and Cluny. Medieval chateaux, historic Romanesque (early medieval) churches and old farms are set in beautiful rolling countryside carpeted with vines, pasture and forests.

The French region of Burgundy is well-known for its fine wines and gastronomic food, a reputation that is richly deserved. You will have plenty of opportunities to sample both during your short break self-guided walking holiday. In addition you will have plenty of time to see the varied and rich architectural delights of this relatively quiet corner of Burgundy, such as those found at Cluny, a very important spiritual, political and artistic centre of the Middle Ages with its Benedictine abbey. Your independent walking tour will start in the historic town of Tournus famous for its beautiful Romanesque abbey and will pass through the typically French, quaint medieval villages of Brancion, Ozenay, and Blanot. In addition, many of the other pretty villages that your walking holiday trail passes through have impressive churches and ramshackle rural buildings which seem to transport you to another time.

This French walking holiday in Burgundy will take you through a variety of experiences, including the famous Chardonnay vineyards bordering the Saône, the forests of the high ridges, the historic towns of Cluny and Tournus, and secluded valleys covered in a patchwork of pasture and vines.

Accommodation & Meals

On this independent walking holiday in the South Burgundy region you will be staying in several charming, spacious and very comfortable guest houses (mainly bed & breakfasts and small hotels or auberges) full of local character (3 corns quality). All rooms have private bathrooms.

Navigation, Walking Notes & Maps

Most of this walking holiday follows local trails waymarked in yellow. There are also a number of other waymarkings including red and white markings of the GR76 long distance trail which you’ll follow in part on most days. 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 IGN at a scale of 1:25,000. Your trail is highlighted on the maps.

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,