Christiane Trégouet, founder of La France à Vélo

A standard or an electric bike?

Thanks to electric bikes, everyone can now explore the hills, mountains or hilly landscapes in general. It would be a shame not to take advantage of this because even with the uphill sections, the vineyards are so beautiful.

“Cycling is also a great physical activity, and a good way to stay in shape.”

When I speak about physical activity, I don't necessarily mean sporty, just getting on your bike and going at your own pace is enough.

The towpaths are perfectly flat, so you barely even need to pedal. And if needed, why not opt for an electric bike? The body gets used to working the muscles very quickly, and besides, it's not complicated to pedal and it's so much fun! 

Itineraries for everyone

There are lots of possible bike rides in autumn, you could for example choose family-friendly rides suitable for children with games and fun sections. We've got children's bikes, children's seats, and trailers with all the necessary attachments.

For those who don't fancy anything too strenuous and who are not necessarily looking for an adventure, we've got electric bikes, and there are some longer routes, more suitable for electric bikes.

A day out in the vines on an electric bike

An autumn day out...

When autumn comes to Burgundy, it's time for a family trip out to the valley called the Vallée du Cousin. This is an incredible place with a river and trees all around it creating a sort of green tunnel, which then transforms into a colourful tunnel in autumn. It's magnificent!

Another place to explore is the Vallée de la Cure. There you can also expect to see an explosion of colours, but not only in the trees, they are also reflected into the waters, creating an absolutely superb mirror effect! We could spend hours here, it's an amazing sight.

There is also a village that just happens to be one of "the Most Beautiful Villages in France", called Noyers-sur-Serein and I think this place is particularly pretty in autumn because it is a village that still has its medieval atmosphere. It is also a popular place for filming.

Even if the days are becoming cooler, it's still worth going out, especially around the vineyards. The sunsets are breathtaking from the highest points of the Chablisien vineyard!

Christiane's recommendations

There are so many great places to eat in Burgundy! I really enjoy going to La P'tite Beursaude in Auxerre which is a small place, with very few tables and a typical Burgundian atmosphere. The friendly staff serve only Burgundian specialities and they obviously have a great wine list!

As for your accommodation, a particularly great place to stay is the Abbaye de la Bussière (in Côte-d'Or), which is a former Cistercian monastery that has been tastefully transformed into a hotel. The food here is also excellent.

As we explore Burgundy, we often come across stone sculptures, and we have a sculptor called Varanguin who lives here in the Yonne. There are little guides available from Tourist Office so visitors can follow in his footsteps, Mr. Varanguin can work wonders with stone.