The Nivernais Canal from Corbigny to Auxerre by Vézelay

Canal du Nivernais by bike

The Nivernais Canal stretches for 178 km between Decize and Auxerre and has more than 122 locks and remarkable structures, including 2 small canal bridges, 3 tunnels and a scale of 16 locks. It is the second most frequented canal in France by cycle tourists after the Canal du Midi.

Interests of the stay:

• The Nivernais canal
• Auxerre, Vézelay and Mailly-le-chateau
• Pinot Noir
• Châtel-Censoir
• the Zervos museum

Day 1 - Welcome to Auxerre

Presentation of the stay and delivery of travel documents as well as checking and adjustment of equipment.

Departure by minibus to reach Corbigny, where your cycling journey begins. You will reach a shared millstream, the highest point of the Canal du Nivernais. On your way, discover the Baye and Vaux ponds, two reservoirs which supply the canal with water.
This first step allows you to discover the titanic work carried out on the sardy lock ladder comprising 16 locks and which allows you to reach the Yonne Valley.

Night in Corbigny.

Day 2 : Corbigny - Clamecy - 40 km

Departing from Corbigny, visit an artisanal eighteenth-century tile factory still in operation, then you will walk along the Nivernais canal and the Yonne river. Cross Tannay and its vineyards to Clamecy, stronghold of "timber floating". Take advantage of a few excursions through woods and hills to discover pretty villages and the fossil meander of Chevroches. In Clamecy, do not hesitate to visit the old town, its collegiate church dedicated to St Martin and the Romain Rolland Museum.

Day 3 : Clamecy - Vézelay - 35 or 65 km

Departure along small country lanes towards "the eternal hill" of Vézelay. Self-guided tour of this typical village and its famous Basilica of Ste Madeleine, listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site. Let yourself be carried away by this site which has seen great men: Bernard de Clairvaux, Jules Roy, Romain Rolland ... and by the local winegrowers! Modern art lovers can visit the Zervos museum (Calder, Ernst, Kandinsky, Laurens ...)

Night in Vézelay.

Day 4 : Vézelay - Mailly-le-Château - 35 km

Throughout this stage, you wil cross the remains of a coral reef and discover:

• the cliffs of Surgy
• the rocks of Saussois
• Mailly-le-château perched on its ledge
• the fortified farm of Basseville
• Faulin Castle
• Châtel-Censoir and its medieval village perched on the hill.

Day 5 : Mailly-le-Château - Auxerre - 35 km

You will leave Mailly-le-Château by taking the direction of Auxerre for the oenological stage of your stay with a getaway to Irancy, a magnificent wine-growing village entirely devoted to Pinot Noir.
Compulsory tasting! Return towards the banks of the Yonne towards Bailly and its gigantic cellars installed in a former stone quarry with visit and tasting.
You walk along the Yonne towards Auxerre, the northern gateway to the Nivernais canal. A visit to the old town is essential, on foot or by bike!

End of your stay in Auxerre, possibility of an additional night.

General informations :

• 5 days and 4 nights
• Accommodation comfort level: 3 * (local standards)
• Prices for children: contact us.

The dates :

Achievable between April and October 2023 :
- Departure from Auxerre, every day except Sunday.

Included :

• Self-guided online tour
• Half-board tour (dinners included)
• Transfer Auxerre - Corbigny
• Wine tasting on day 5
• luggages transport
• 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 train will take you to Corbigny.

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.

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.