Cycling along the Burgundy wine route

Cover photo: Nuits-Saint-Georges © Shutterstock /Marcello Brunetti

The Wine Cycling Route between Dijon and Santenay is much more than just a cycle path. It is a 72-kilometre journey through landscapes listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, dotted with wine-growing villages, castles, vineyards, cellars, and panoramic views of rare beauty. It is an invitation to slow tourism, to active, gentle and immersive discovery, an authentic art of travelling differently.

1st stop: Dijon – Nuits-Saint-Georges (24 km)

The route begins in Dijon, the historic capital of Burgundy-Franche-Comté. With 97 hectares of preserved city centre, Dijon is a “City of Art and History” best discovered on foot. Follow the trail of the famous owl engraved on walls and pavements, a miniature tourist guide in itself. From Place Darcy to the majestic Notre-Dame Church, from the Palais des Ducs to the Philippe le Bon Tower with its breathtaking 46-metre-high view, the city reveals an architecture shaped by ducal history, wars, and the arts.

Dijon is also a gastronomic capital, where mustard, blackcurrants, and Burgundy snails are celebrated, alongside the International City of Gastronomy and Wine (Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie et du Vin), which retraces the region’s culinary roots. South of the city, the Wine Route leads into landscapes of green and ochre, where dry-stone walls mark the entrance to the Côte de Nuits vineyards. Along the road rises the imposing Château du Clos de Vougeot, founded in the 12th century by Cistercian monks from the Abbey of Cîteaux. No longer a site of wine production, it nonetheless remains a must-see for lovers of heritage, monastic history, viticulture, and architecture.

The journey ends in Nuits-Saint-Georges, a fortified village since 1362 with the typical charm of Burgundy. Nature and legend lovers should not miss the Trous Légers caves, reached via the “golden paths.” Even more unexpected are the remains of a temple dedicated to Mithra, the Persian sun god, a rare testament to ancient cults.

2nd Stop: Nuits-Saint-Georges – Beaune (24 km) 

The second day promises to be just as eventful. From the hills of the Côte de Nuits, cyclists glide gently down towards the Côte de Beaune, renowned for its exceptional white wines. Around a bend, the Château de Savigny-lès-Beaune appears like a surprise: behind its 14th-century walls lies an extraordinary collection of hundreds of fighter planes, helicopters, motorcycles, and Abarth prototypes, unusual, extravagant, and fascinating. To stay rooted in the region, the Petit Château awaits, offering cellar tours by appointment.

Then comes Beaune, the “capital of Burgundy wines,” whose historic centre is entirely listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Climats de Bourgogne. Wander among half-timbered houses, hidden courtyards, and elegant mansions. The Hospices de Beaune, a masterpiece of Flemish-influenced medieval architecture, are world-renowed, particularly for their glazed tile roof and for appearing in the classic movie The Great Stroll. Don’t miss the Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame, the Fallot mustard factory, the Cité des Vins et des Climats de Bourgogne, and the Patriarche Père et Fils cellars, a vast underground labyrinth where more than two million bottles are stored.

3rd Stop : Beaune – Santenay (23 km) 

The last section is the most bucolic. On secondary roads and paths winding through vineyards, you pass through iconic villages:

Pommard, with its 18th-century château and Clos Marey-Monge, an organic and biodynamic gem of a vineyard. Tastings available on site, in keeping with tradition.

Meursault, a symbol of excellence among Burgundy’s great white wines, is home to the thousand-year-old Château de Meursault, now dedicated to organic farming. In today’s era of climate change, the estate seeks a delicate balance between innovation and respect for its terroir.

Finally, reaching Santenay marks the end of the itinerary. This peaceful village is overlooked by a windmill, an emblematic landmark rising above a sea of vines. Its charm also lies in its discreet yet remarkable châteaux: La Crée, a 19th-century wine estate, and the so-called Château Philippe le Hardi, a 14th-century fortified residence topped with colourful glazed tiles, a signature of Burgundian architecture.

Cycling along the wine route : another way to travel

Cycling along the Wine Route is the very essence of slow tourism: accessible to all, clearly signposted and safe, it winds through exceptional landscapes without ever rushing the traveller. It invites local encounters, spontaneous stops, and immersion in the living culture of the wine-growing regions. The route is also part of European initiatives promoting soft mobility, and it connects with others such as EuroVelo 6. Each pedal stroke offers a breath of fresh air in a preserved rural world, where the seasons leave their mark and the vines are still worked as they were a thousand years ago. For more inspiration from our regions, subscribe to our newsletter or explore our website and gift shop. And if you’re ready to set off, discover how you can be rewarded through our loyalty programme.

Excessive alcohol consumption is harmful to your health, especially when cycling. Plan longer distances to give yourself time to digest.

By Émilie FALLOT NGUYEN