Saint-Jean-de-Losne - Seurre - Verdun
Saint-Jean-de-Losne, your departure point
Come to Saint-Jean-de-Losne, France's leading river tourism harbour. Everything revolves around the water here, and this is what you can expect from your morning.
To start as you mean to go on, begin at the Musée de la Batellerie. Inside this beautiful 15th-century building, built using cob and traditional brick found in river plains, visitors can learn all about the boating history of this small town.
To warm up your muscles slowly before getting on your bike, we recommend the interactive, audio walking tour, the 'Balade des Mariniers' (sailors' walk).
Day 1, morning: Seurre
It's time for step 1 of your adventure! Head south to the peaceful port of Seurre alongside the river Saône, a slow flowing river that is ideal for a leisurely ride along the bucolic banks.
When you leave Seurre, stop off to visit the Etang Rouge open-air museum. In this recreated Burgundian village, the houses are not replicas, they are authentic houses from bygone days that have been taken down, restored and then rebuilt.
The village is set in environmentally friendly grounds with plenty of trees, vegetable gardens and farm animals.
Lunch on the water's edge
The freshwater theme continues into lunchtime, with fried fish from the Saône on the menu at the La Cotinière bistro. You'll pretty much have your feet in the water out on the pleasant, shaded terrace so you can enjoy the sound of the lapping waters as you savour local speciality dishes.
- La Cotinière
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Quai National
21170 SAINT-JEAN-DE-LOSNE - 03 80 39 40 01
Day 1, afternoon: Verdun-sur-le-Doubs
It's time to leave for Verdun-sur-le-Doubs. As you leave Seurre, take the time to admire the stunning buildings along the banks of the Saône.
For this section, the 'Voie Bleue' merges with the EuroVelo6® cycle route.
In Verdun, wander around the old village on the Ile du Château and then drop off your luggage at the Hostellerie Bourguignonne. This charming inn is decorated in the typical style of Bresse and Burgundy and also boasts a restaurant renowned for its pôchouse (fish stew).
Chalon-sur-Saône
Go for a stroll along the quayside or around the cobbled streets of this Town of Art and History. To make sure you don't miss any of the must-sees, opt for one of the many guided tours or simply follow the Chemin de l’Orbandale.
This trail will take you on a walking tour of this stunning town with half-timbered houses, colourful façades, Saint-Vincent cathedral and the magnificent cloister, the Nicéphore Niepce museum, bell tower, etc.
Find out more about the Chemin de l'Orbandale walking tour
Our recommendations in Chalon-sur-Saône
- Villa Boucicaut, a charming bed & breakfast with the 'Accueil Vélo' label, just a 10 min walk from the historic town centre and the terraces of the town.
- Les Canailles, a restaurant on the Ile Saint-Laurent serving seasonal products and regional specialities
- L’Aromatique, a cosy place with top-quality, yet warm and friendly service. From the appetisers to dessert, and including the bread, everything here is homemade.
Head to Tournus
It's time to set off on the last but also the longest section of this bicycle touring adventure through Burgundy. Very quickly you'll find yourself once again cycling along the river Saône. On this section of the route, the river flows through a protected area, and you'll be cycling through a wilder environment up until you arrive in Tournus.
In Tournus, you'll enjoy the easy-going atmosphere as you admire the old-fashioned shopfronts, private manor houses, traboule passageways and unique heritage sites. The first sounds of the singing cicadas and colourful façades also reflect the Mediterranean-style atmosphere in this pretty town.
Besides of course visiting the beautiful Musée du Vélo which is a must-see for cycling fanatics like yourselves, don't miss the Hôtel-Dieu which houses the Musée Greuze and Saint-Philibert Abbey, a masterpiece of Romanesque art overlooking the Saône and built from ochre and pink coloured stone.
Our recommendations in Tournus
- The Les 7 Fontaines hotel: one venue but two different atmospheres depending on your mood: the restaurant, serving delicious, elegant cuisine in a gourmet bistro style, and the wine bar/lounge where you can enjoy a light bite with a glass of Burgundy wine.
- The Bouchon Bourguignon, awarded a 'Bib Gourmand', serving hearty dishes in a friendly, welcoming atmosphere
- Histoires d’Anges, gites and guesthouse with the 'Accueil Vélo' label
How to get here without a car?
Train Lyon - Saint-Jean-de-Losne (change in Bourg-en-Bresse)
Train Lyon - Chalon-sur-Saône (Direct)
Train Paris - Saint-Jean-de-Losne (change in Dijon)
Train Paris - Châlon-sur-Saône
Bikes for hire at the Saint-Jean-de-Losne Tourist Office
For Chalon-sur-Saône, contact Europe Vélo