The Côte-d'Or by bike: 5 routes from the Voie des Vignes to the Morvan

In short: the Côte-d’Or is a département that suits cycling remarkably well, with one master asset, the Voie des Vignes, 72 km of dedicated greenway from north to south of the vineyard, and a host of secondary loops in the Auxois and Morvan. This guide presents 5 routes for every level, from the occasional cyclist to the seasoned mountain biker, with distances, elevation and hire tips.

The bike is probably the best way to discover the Côte-d’Or. No glass between you and the landscape, the freedom to stop anywhere for a photo or an improvised tasting, and a greenway network covering most of the vineyard. The five routes below cover very different profiles: from a family ride on flat tarmac to Morvan MTB loops with several hundred metres of elevation.

Route 1: the full Voie des Vignes (72 km)

Route description

Route description, details

The Voie des Vignes is the Côte-d’Or’s most emblematic cycle route. This greenway, 72 km long, links Dijon to Santenay, passing through Marsannay-la-Côte, Dijon’s southern gateway, and crossing the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune. The route is traffic-free for almost its entire length, and the surface is stabilised, rideable on any bike.

Cumulative elevation is about 500 metres of ascent, making it accessible to a lightly trained cyclist or a family with children. Gradients are gentle and regular, with no steep ramps that force you to dismount.

Breaking it into stages

• Dijon to Nuits-Saint-Georges: 25 km, 1 h 30 without stops. Through Marsannay-la-Côte, Fixin and Gevrey-Chambertin; the route passes Morey-Saint-Denis and Chambolle-Musigny. Supplies available in Gevrey-Chambertin (bakery, convenience store).
• Nuits-Saint-Georges to Beaune: 24 km, 1 h 30 without stops. The most picturesque stretch, with views over the Côte de Nuits vineyard hillsides and the hill of Corton. Possible stop at Aloxe-Corton.
• Beaune to Santenay: 23 km, 1 h 30 without stops. Through Pommard, Volnay, Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet. Tasting stops recommended in Meursault and Puligny.

Extension towards Nolay

A 14 km extension continues the route from Santenay to Nolay, including 9 km on a former railway (7 km of this stretch lie in Saône-et-Loire). The extension adds extra elevation but offers varied landscapes between vines and bocage. At Santenay, the Voie des Vignes also crosses EuroVelo 6, which continues towards Chalon-sur-Saône along the Canal du Centre.

Level: easy. Duration: 2 to 3 days (or 1 intense day).

Route 2: the Beaune Loop (25 km)

A half-day in the heart of the vineyard

For those without the time or energy for the full 72 km of the Voie des Vignes, the Beaune loop is an excellent alternative. This circular 25 km route starts and finishes in Beaune, following the Voie des Vignes south to Meursault then returning on the small wine roads of Pommard and Volnay.

Points of interest

The route passes Château de Pommard (visit possible, tasting), the perched villages of Volnay and Monthélie, and the Château de Meursault for a Chardonnay tasting. The small wine roads are quiet, but watch for vineyard tractors at harvest.

Level: easy. Duration: 2.5 to 3 h. Elevation: about 200 m cumulative. Ideal for a morning outing before an afternoon of Beaune visits.

Route 3: Dijon–Beaune return on the Voie des Vignes (98 km)

A sporting day

This one-day route links Dijon to Beaune on the Voie des Vignes (49 km outbound), with a return on the same path or by train (Beaune station accepts bikes on TER trains, subject to space). An excellent option for cyclists who want a day challenge without overnight logistics.

Train return logistics

TER Bourgogne-Franche-Comté trains accept assembled bikes in dedicated spaces, without reservation. The Beaune–Dijon journey takes 25 minutes and trains run about hourly. Check times before leaving: some peak-hour trains refuse bikes if space is full.

Level: moderate to demanding. Duration: 5 to 6 hours of cycling + return train. Elevation: about 450 m cumulative outbound.

Route 4: the Canal de Bourgogne by bike (20 km)

A flat route along the water

The Canal de Bourgogne offers in the Côte-d’Or tens of kilometres of flat, shaded towpath, from Dijon westwards to the Yonne border. These routes are ideal for families or a recovery day between more demanding stages. The surface is stabilised, sometimes compacted earth, rideable on any bike.

Suggested stretch

The most pleasant section links Dijon to Pont-de-Pany (15 km, 45 minutes), following the canal west. The path runs along locks, lock-keepers’ cottages and barges. At Pont-de-Pany, a picnic area lets you pause before turning back or continuing to Lac de Pont (5 km further).

Level: very easy. Duration: 1.5 to 3 h depending on distance. Elevation: almost none. Ideal for untrained children.

Route 5: Morvan MTB loops (20 to 50 km)

For experienced mountain bikers

The Morvan offers a network of MTB trails waymarked by the Fédération Française de Cyclisme, with loops of varying difficulty. The terrain is granite, with steep climbs and technical descents on forest trails. A full-suspension MTB is recommended; an electric mountain bike (e-MTB) helps on the longest climbs.

Lac des Settons loop (20 km, 2 h)

The most accessible Morvan loop follows Lac des Settons (20 km, 2 hours, 250 m elevation). The trail is mostly forested, with lake views and beach passages. Several swimming spots let you cool off. Note: the trail is shared with walkers, moderate speed near pedestrians is the MTB code.

Pannecière–Haut-Folin loop (35 km, 3.5 h)

For experienced riders, the loop linking Lac de Pannecière to Haut-Folin (901 metres, highest point in the Morvan) offers about 800 metres of cumulative elevation over 35 km. Climbs are steep in places (up to 15% gradient), descents technical with roots and stones. The reward: a 360-degree panorama from the Morvan summit.

Level: difficult. Elevation: 250 to 800 m depending on the loop. MTB or e-MTB essential.

Bike hire in the Côte-d’Or

Where to hire

Several hire options exist:

• Dijon: DiviaVélo (metropolitan service, standard and electric bikes for short- and long-term hire, 2026 rates published on the DiviaVélo site). Several private hire shops offer hybrids and high-end electric bikes.
• Beaune: several hire shops, including the tourist office and its partners, offer electric bikes, child trailers and mountain bikes, notably on Rue de l’Hôtel-Dieu.
• Nuits-Saint-Georges: a few hire shops offer half-day or full-day bikes, handy for Côte de Nuits stages; ask the tourist office about availability.

Indicative prices

Standard bike: €15–25 per day. Electric bike: €35–50 per day. Child trailer: €10–15 per day. Helmet: often included. Deposit: €200 to €500 depending on equipment. Always ask for the removable battery and charger for electric bikes.

Practical tips

• Best season: May–June and September–October, when temperatures are moderate and traffic lighter.
• Wind: the Côte-d’Or is windy, especially in spring. Pack a windproof layer.
• Supplies: wine villages have bakeries and convenience stores, but opening hours vary (often closed Mondays). Pack snacks.
• Accommodation: prefer hotels and B&Bs with the “Accueil Vélo” label (secure garage, repair kit, cycle-touring information).