Detailed Trip Dossier

Chablis Vineyards Walk
$1,562 per person
8 nights from
At a glance...
f
Relaxed walking following the Grand
Randonnée, part of St Jacques’ route to
Compostela
Gentle rolling landscapes, forests,
farms, poppies, sunflowers and vines
World-famous wines including Chablis,
Irancy, Aligoté and Crémant
Steeped in historic interest: ancient
Auxerre, Medieval Cravant and
UNESCO basilica at Vézelay
Lots of flora and fauna, roe deer, hen
harriers, hoopoe and wildflowers
What’s included...
• 8 nights – hotel-to-hotel
• All continental breakfasts and
6 evening meals
• f+ self-guided walking with route
notes and maps
• Walking transfers
• Luggage transfers between hotels
See pp6-7 & 50-51 for details of what the f
symbol means and how our holidays work
• 93% sustainability rating
• 100% customer satisfaction rating
A region where Renaissance châteaux, medieval villages and castles stand proudly
among the vineyards, Burgundy is steeped in history and offers a tradition of
exceptional wines and fine foods. It’s an area rich in birdlife and wildlife enthusiasts
are in for a real treat!
Starting in medieval Auxerre, one of the prettiest riverside cities in France, this
gentle-paced ramble takes you through picture-postcard Burgundy. You’ll walk along
towpaths, river valleys and wheat fields alive with bright red poppies, as you head via
the wine capital of Chablis, to the fortified medieval town of Vézelay, an important
stopping-off point for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. Vespers are
still held here daily at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Basilica of Mary
Magdalene. En route, you’ll pass through world-famous vineyards with plenty of
dégustation opportunities and flower-filled hillsides crowned with woods and pretty
riverside villages.
You’ll stay in hotels hand-picked for their perfect location, warm welcome and
superb regional cuisine. In Auxerre you’ll stay in a family-run hotel that was
converted from a maison bourgeoise, and the Hostellerie des Clos is a gastronomic
boutique hotel, nestled in the heart of Chablis. Louis Philippe, the French King (18301848) is reputed to have stayed in your next hotel at Vermenton and the Hôtel de la
Poste et du Lion d’Or, a former manor house, sits at the entrance to the walled town
of Vézelay.
Auxerre
© CC-BY Peter Curbishley / flickr
FRANCE | BURGUNdY
Chablis-Vineyards-Walk2016.qxp_France 10/28/15 3:37 PM Page 22
Call us on 1-800-567-6286 for a tailor-made quote
Chablis
Vermenton
Sermizelles
Châtel-Censoir
Vézelay
Paris •
Chablis-Vineyards-Walk2016.qxp_France 10/28/15 3:37 PM Page 23
Wine service
Your itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Auxerre
Day 2
Auxerre to Chablis 15km/9.5mi/4hr
Your accommodation
Your hotel is ideally situated just a few minutes’ walk from Auxerre’s historic centre.
We give you a lift to Venoy where you join the ‘Wine and Cheese route’, ambling gently through
vineyards until you reach the lakeside wine village of Beine. After a leisurely lunch, you stroll along
the lake beneath the Premier Cru vineyards into the village of Poinchy where you’ll find some of
our favourite Chablis caves. Your final stretch follows the River Serein into the town of Chablis and
on to your hotel, a gastronomic jewel nestled in the heart of the town.
Day 3
At Chablis
Day 4
Chablis to Vermenton 16km/10mi/4hr or 18km/11.5mi/4.5hr
The entire town of Chablis is almost completely devoted to the production of some of the world’s
finest white wines, and there is a plethora of cellars to visit and taste. You can follow the popular
8km circular walk around the celebrated Grands Crus vineyards with panoramic views of Chablis
town.
We take you to the panoramic viewpoint at Courgis, the starting point for today's walk. Your path
leads you through the vines to the village of St-Cyr-les-Colons, fortified in the C16. Continue,
passing through forest and farmland, to Cravant, nestled in the valley of the River Yonne from
where you follow the ancient Route Napoléon to your charming chambre d'hôtes at Vermenton.
Day 5
At Vermenton
Maybe take the train to Arcy, a village steeped in Roman history where you can visit the prehistoric
caves. Alternatively, there are plenty of lovely relaxing spots in Vermenton such as the Parc des
Îles, a shady park made up of small islands connected by bridges on the River Cure.
Day 6
Vermenton to Vézelay 17km/11mi/4.5hr
Catch the train from Vermenton to Sermizelles (20 mins) to start your walk across the wooded
slopes of Montmartre, following the classic GR13, the famous pilgrims’ path to Santiago de
Compostela in north west Spain. Birdlife here is prolific; look out for hoopoe or even the rare
corncrake and red-backed shrike. You emerge from the forest to see Vézelay’s magnificent Basilica
of Mary Magdalene standing proudly on the hill above you. Your hotel enjoys an enviable position
directly opposite the old gates of this walled town.
Day 7
At Vézelay
The C12 basilica is a masterpiece of sacred art and a UNESCO World Heritage Site - it’s definitely
worth exploring. It’s the largest church in France, and was the launching point for two Crusades. A
short walk takes you to the village of St-Père-sous-Vézelay and its ornate Gothic church, or you
can visit the nearby Roman baths or Fontaines Salées.
Day 8
Vézelay to Auxerre 14km/9mi/3.5hr
It’s a great walk today for bird-spotting and seeing wild animals. As you leave Vézelay behind and
head into the forest, look out for roe deer and stags, or
pairs of jays darting in front of you. As you
approach the pretty village of Châtel-Censoir
take time to explore the château, church
and the busy little port, before taking
the train back to Auxerre.
Day 9
Leave Auxerre
“ We had a fabulous
trip. Ross, the rep, was first
class - he went the extra mile and
was particular on detail. “
Mr B Hamilton
Day by Day Walking Guide
450m
300m
150m
0m
Day 2
Hôtel Normandie
Hostellerie des Clos
15 Place Voltaire
Hôtel de la Poste et du
Lion d’Or HHH
HHH
Auxerre (Days 1+8)
AAA
Vermenton (Days 4+5)
Day 4
Day 6
Day 8
For further details visit:www.breakaway-adventures.com
Vézelay (Days 6+7)
Treat yourself...
To extend your stay we recommend extra nights in
Auxerre. We can also arrange city break add-ons in Paris at
the start, or end, of your holiday.
Room upgrades are available from $15 per person, per
night, based on 2 sharing.
For hotel descriptions visit:
www.breakaway-adventures.com
Dates and prices (US$)
Departs every
two days
Tour
Only
2016 Departures
May 13-21, Sep 12-20
Jun 2-12, Sep 2-10
May 23-31, Jun 14-Jul 8
Aug 27-31
Jul 10-Aug 25
$1,562
$1,578
$1,681
$1,681
$1,714
Singles: Add $39 per night for sole occupancy of a double room.
Children: Please call for details and prices.
Group size: No minimum group size.
Tour only prices include a 15 minute transfer from/to
Auxerre train station (Pick up at: 15:23 Mon-Sat & 17:21 Sun.
Return: 11:15 in time for 11:30 train). Alternative transfers (for
non-standard timings) can be arranged. Prices on request.
Rail options: Paris to Auxerre (via Laroche
Migennes)13:38/15:23 Mon-Sat & 15:38/17:21 Sun.
Return: Rail Auxerre to Paris 11:39/13:22.
Second class French Rail: Inquire for prices.
First class French Rail available: Inquire for prices.
W08BU
Moderately easy walking following the well-marked GR13, with just the odd short, steepish climb. Towpaths,
wooded slopes, hilltops and vineyards.
HHH
Chablis (Days 2+3)