Nivernais Canal by bike, from Decize to Auxerre

Burgundy by bike along the Nivernais Canal

Cycling trip in the heart of Burgundy, along the Canal du Nivernais between Decize and Auxerre. This route offers you beautiful panoramas and the crossing of charming fortified villages or nestled in the rock. The Nivernais canal is the second most frequented by cycle tourists after the Canal du Midi, it has 122 locks and remarkable structures, including 2 small canal bridges, 3 tunnels, a scale of 16 locks.

Interests of the stay :

• The Nivernais canal
• Basseville, Clamecy and Mailly-le-chateau
• Pinot Noir

Day 1 : La Machine - Decize - 18 km

Reception in Auxerre and presentation of the stay around 9:30 am, delivery of travel documents, checking and adjustment of equipment.
Transfer by minibus to La Machine and the first 18 km cycling route to Decize, on the south side of the Canal du Nivernais.
Dinner and overnight in Decize.

Day 2 : Decize - Châtillon en Bazois - 52 km

Departure from Decize, discover the meadows dotted with peaceful white oxen and the small heritage.
Dinner and night in Châtillon en Bazois.

Day 3 : Châtillon en Bazois - Corbigny - 32 km

Stage up to the division reach, the high point of the Canal du Nivernais. You will be seduced by the ponds of Baye and Vaux, the vaults of Collancelle. Then descent via the Sardy-les-Epiry Ladder and its Valley until the end of your stage in Corbigny.
Dinner and overnight in Corbigny.

Day 4 : Corbigny - Clamecy - 38 km

Departing from Corbigny, you will be able to visit an artisanal eighteenth century tile factory still in operation, then you will follow the Nivernais canal and the Yonne river. You then cross Tannay and its vineyards to Clamecy, stronghold of "timber floating". You move away from the canal for a few wanderings in the woods and hills to discover pretty villages and the fossil meander of Chevroches. In Clamecy, take the time to visit the old town, its collegiate church dedicated to St Martin and the Romain Rolland Museum.
Dinner and overnight in Clamecy.

Day 5 : Clamecy - Accolay ou Arcy-sur-Cure - 42 or 44 km

Departure by small country roads through the remains of a coral reef, you admire the cliffs of Surgy, the rocks of Saussois and finally Mailly-le-château perched on its cornice.
This route also takes you to the fortified farm of Basseville, the Château de Faulin, then Châtel-Censoir and its medieval village perched on the hill.
Dinner and overnight at Mailly le château.

Day 6 : Accolay ou Arcy-sur-Cure - Auxerre - 28 à 45 km

You leave Mailly-le-Château to take the direction of Auxerre. This is the oenological stopover of the stay with a getaway to Irancy, a magnificent wine-growing village entirely dedicated to Pinot Noir.
Your cycle tour continues on the banks of the Yonne towards Bailly and the gigantic cellars installed in a former stone quarry. After visit and tastings, you continue along the Yonne towards Auxerre, the northern gateway to the Nivernais canal. A visit to the old town is a must, on foot or by bike!
In Auxerre, end of the cycling trip. Possibility of additional night.

General informations :

• 6 days and 5 nights
• Accommodation comfort level: 3 * (local standards)
• Prices for children: contact us.

The dates :

Achievable between march and October 2024 :
- Departure from Auxerre, every day except Sunday.

Included :

• Self-guided online tour
• Half-board tour (dinners included)
• Luggages transport
• Transfer Auxerre - La Machine
• Wine tasting on day 6
• Roadbook : we will provide you with information on the progress of your stay as well as the itinerary for confirming your reservation, subject to change.
• Assistance in case of breakdown (except puncture).

Not included :

• Transport to the place of departure
• Personal expenses
• Visits other than those included in the program
• Tourist tax to be paid on site.

The options :

• VTC or VAE rental
• Additional night (s) at the start or end of the tour
• Theft insurance for the rented bike
• cancellation insurance
• Reduction from 4 people.

Levels :

1 2 3 4 5 6

Ground :

Flat, very smooth roads and paths. Program with 80% cycle paths and towpaths. When the track is bad, small parallel roads with little traffic.

Weather :

Pleasant, little precipitation, localized rains.
Spring: 15/20 ° C - Summer: Hot and dry 25/30 ° C.

Technicality :

28 to 57 km of hiking per day, or about 3 to 4 hours of cycling.
Easy to follow route, accessible to all cyclists.

Bibliography :

- Bike guide: the tour of Burgundy by bike 

Standard Accommodation:
Hotels ** and *** and charming guest rooms, with rooms equipped with shower and toilet.

Additional nights: 

An additional night is offered to you at the start and end of your stay.

Food :

Breakfasts: generous (coffee, tea, chocolate, milk, butter, bread, jam, orange juice) or buffet.
Lunches: not included
Dinners: at the hotel or at the host's (not included in Auxerre).

The bike :

- Rental bike: 21-speed VTC which will be given to you upon your arrival. A security deposit will be requested.
At the end of the tour, you will have to leave this bike at the starting point.

- Personal bike: We do not recommend bikes with small tires. Hybrid bikes and mountain bikes are excellent. Remember to check your bicycle before setting off.
At the end of the tour, you will need to take care of your own bicycle.

Assistance :

Assistance in case of breakdown (except punctures for which we do not intervene).

The transfer :

When you arrive in Auxerre, a transfer will be organized to La Machine.

Luggage :

They are transported by a courier or by our team and limited to one piece of luggage by person (max. 20 kg).

Roadbook :

We will provide you with detailed maps and a description of the routes when you arrive at the first hotel. We will also give you vouchers for hotels and restaurants as well as luggage tags.

Transport :

- By train: TGV station in Auxerre.
- By road: Auxerre is on the A6 (Paris-Lyon)
- By plane: Auxerre or Paris airport

Your vehicle :

A parking space is possible at the first hotel, payable locally or car parks near the hotel.

For an extra night in Auxerre, covered parking is available at the hotel, payable on site and subject to reservation.

Cancellation insurance :

In order to guarantee the reimbursement of costs in the event of cancellation of your stay, you can take out cancellation insurance. To learn more about insurance, click here.