Arrival in Beaune, the unmistakable wine capital of Burgundy. Take a moment to rest and unpack, before venturing out to drink in the local art, history and monuments such as the impressive 'Hospice'. Then awaken your tastebuds to 'La Bourgogne' with a visit to the wine museum. 

Dive right in and recce the renowned vineyards of the 'Côte de Nuits'. The dominant variety here is Pinot Noir, the grape used to make splendid Burgundy reds. Cycle to the famous Chateau Clos du Vougeot, overlooking the rolling vineyards where enologists produce one the most expensive wines in the world: Romanée Conti.

Challenge: 56km, 306m ascent, 310m descent 

Continue on a pleasant easy route through the ‘Côte de Beaune’, where prestigious white wines like Meursault and Montrachet are born of Chardonnay grapes. Stop off to see the historic Château Savigny-les-Beaune, then cycle through villages with famous names that all sound like wines Pommard, Meursault, Chassagne-Montrachet. 

Challenge: 45km, 531m ascent, 536m descent

Leave the vineyards behind and pedal off to explore dense forests, then cycle along the River Rhoin to reach the ruins at Sainte Marguerite Abbey. Circle back to Beaune past villages and vineyards in the ‘Hautes-Côtes-de-Beaune’. 

Challenge: 41km, 530m ascent, 538m descent