Bourgogne tourisme

Yonne
In the mood for naturewalks
In the Yonne, travelling through the countryside on bicycle or mountain bike
is a real pleasure. There are so many shaded and quiet cycle tracks, the
scenery varies in different natural areas, and different levels of difficulty are catered for as well.
Cycling along the canal du Nivernais © S. Wahl
:
Listen – the only sounds to break the silence are the murmurs of the rivers, Franck Pineau cycle ride. Open to everyone, this event
the birdsong or perhaps the whisper of a heron taking flight. Feel a gentle aims to be accessible and family friendly. A number
of rides, from 12 to 200 km and of varying degrees
breeze and the natural coolness of canal water taking the edge off the
of difficulty, are offered, some on the road and some
summer heat. Follow the winding route of level and shaded paths which
on cycle tracks. The only problem will be choosing
were once used to tow commercial narrow boats. Left behind by the
which one ! This event takes place every year in June.
combustion engine, at the same time as the heavy horse was, these havens
of tranquillity almost fell into oblivion. Fortunately however, the "fendeurs de brise" perched on their bicycles
realised some time ago that amateur cycling equals tourism in its purest form. From then on, the idea caught
on throughout the region and a 600 km cycling circuit along the canals and rivers of Burgundy was created
forming a loop between Sens and Macon, from both east and west. The "flat country" cutting through the
curves of the landscape is kind on the calf muscles while also providing opportunities for more adventurous
cycling with so many other tracks and paths all around. If it takes your fancy you can also stop to explore the
area’s fascinating heritage or enjoy a delicious meal. And for those who have not brought their own
equipment, many places offer bicycle hire. So, let's go !
© H. Monnier
With a reputation for its natural and sporting assets,
the Morvan is this natural regional park in the south of
Yonne, sharing its borders with the other administrative
departements of the Burgundy region. The park is well
known for its forests and hills and is popular with
cyclists with many way marked tracks for either a gentle
ride or a mountain bike descent. The 330 km long
Grande Traversée du Morvan route starts from Avallon.
Whether you enjoy walking, horse
riding, mountain biking or fishing,
you can now plan your holidays to
suit your interests ! The Etap’loisirs
scheme lists accommodation with facilities for specific
activities, e.g. equipment storage, livery and stabling
or nearby activities.To guarantee you the best service,
each host has also signed a special charter.
2 free leaflets are available along the canal, at local tourist information centres, tourist offices and at the
Yonne Tourist Development Agency :
- "A vélo le long du canal de Bourgogne" (the Burgundy Canal by bike)
- "Canal du Nivernais : guide d'accueil touristique" (tourist guide)
Another guide available for sale (9.90 euros), along the Canal of Nivernais is the
"Guide Michelin - Canal du Nivernais à Vélo" (the Canal of Nivernais by bike)
© B. Bertand - Cyclorail
In the heart of Puisaye country, here is an
original activity that young and old can
enjoy together - a pedal powered train that
can take a maximum of 6 people for a jaunt
in the open air along a disused railway line.
http://cyclorail.com/velorail-puisaye/lecyclorail-de-puisaye
Out of ordinary -
My favourites
1 - 2, quai de la République - BP 30217 - 89003 Auxerre Cedex
Tél. 03 86 72 92 03 - Fax 03 86 72 92 09
presse@tourisme-yonne.com - www.tourisme-yonne.com/pro