BURGUNDY - France 2014 - page 1293

andeasychangeinDijon;moreviaDijontoParis'GaredeBercy,noreservationrequired,
3.5 hours), Bourges (7/day, 2.5 hours, transfer in Nevers), Colmar (10/day, 2.5-4 hours
via TGV between Dijon and Mulhouse, reserve well ahead, changes in Dijon and Mul-
houseorBelfort), Arles (10/day,4.5-5hours,9withtransferinLyonandNîmesorAvign-
on), Chamonix (7/day, 7 hours, change in Lyon and St-Gervais, some require additional
changes), Annecy (7/day, 4-6 hours, change in Lyon), Amboise (2/day, 5 hours, via Dijon
and Tours; plus 12/day, 6 hours, most with changes in Dijon and in Paris, arrive at Paris'
Gare de Lyon, then Métro to Austerlitz or Montparnasse stations to catch the connection
to Amboise).
The Beaune Region
Exploring the vineyards near Beaune, by car or by bike, is a delight.
Getting Around the Beaune Region
By Car: Driving provides the ultimate flexibility for touring the vineyards, though drivers
should prepare for narrow lanes in the vineyards and make sure to sip small samples (use
the handy buckets to spit back after tasting).
By Bike: If you hop on a bike in Beaune, within minutes you'll be immersed in the
lushcountrysideandimmaculatevineyardsoftheCôted'Or.Themanyquietserviceroads
and bike-only lanes make this area wonderful for biking. (Beware of loose gravel on the
shoulders and along the small roads.) A signed bike route runs south from Beaune all the
way to Cluny, and a new route from Beaune north to Dijon may be in place by your visit.
Myfavoriteridesaredescribedindetailinthenextsection,“SightsintheBeauneRegion.”
Well-organized,English-speakingFlorianandCedricat Bourgogne Randonnées of-
fer good bikes, bike racks, kid bikes and kid trailers, maps, and detailed itineraries. Ask
about their favorite routes that follow only small roads and dedicated bike paths. They can
deliver your bike to your hotel anywhere in France (bikes-€6/hour, €21/day, helmets-€1,
daily 9:00-12:00 & 13:30-18:30, near Beaune train station at 7 Avenue du 8 Septembre,
tel. [phone], www.bourgogne-randonnees.fr , [e-mail] ) .
By Bus: Transco bus #44 links Beaune with other wine villages to the north along
the famous Route des Grands Crus, and runs to Dijon's train station (7/day, www.mobigo-
bourgogne.eu , French only, click on Transco under Réseaux de transport , then fiches hor-
aries ). Find bus stops along Beaune's ring road. Bus service south of Beaune to villages
like Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet is hopeless—take a taxi, hop a train (limited op-
tions), or rent a bike.