When the snow started to fall in Chamonix we decided to move on. We had planned to visit Switzerland but the forecast there was wet and cold, and, as the Missus says, we can do wet and cold in Cumbria whenever we want. So Switzerland has been deferred for the moment and we drove north-west, heading for the land of the Grands Crus.
Track so Far
We are staying at Camping La Grappe d’Or (GPS N 46.985617 E 4.768335) , a site just outside the village of Mearsault, near Beaune. This is the heart of the Burgundy wine area and the campsite sits on a terrace overlooking fields of vines spreading out in all directions.
Looking South from the Campsite
About 100 yards from the campsite is ‘La Voie Des Vignes’ ..a veloroute which extends from Beaune to Santenay, through the villages and vineyards of the district. At Santenay the veloroute links up with the Voie Verte (traffic free cycle path) which runs (cycles?) alongside the canal du Centre from Saint-Léger-sur Dheune to Chalon-sur-Saône.
Trompe-l’oeil
We set off along the Velo Route heading towards Santenay this morning. This faux shutter cleverly painted alongside a real window is in a hotel in Mearsault, first village on the route.
Winedow
Cycling Through the Vines
All the villages here are packed with wine sellers and wine producers selling directly to the public. Wine tastings are advertised on all sides but probably best not combined with a bike ride (if any of our friends in Cabo de Gata are reading this, they may agree).
Precision Ploughing
Most of the vines had been cut back to a thick stump in the Autumn and new growth had just started. The fields were busy with workers pruning, weeding, ploughing and spraying.
On the Straight and Narrow
Pruning the Vines
This lovely guy stopped his pruning to chat to us. He spoke very quick french, of which I got about 10%. We did pick up that his grapes were all Chardonnay, and that it was pretty dry and stony soil, ideal for the vines. He was rubbing or cutting off some of the smaller shoots
Stepping Over the Vines
Curious (to us) high wheelbase tractors buzz about through the vineyards.
In the Groove
Just Passing By
Gates
Some of the vineyards are limestone-walled and gated.
Poppies and other wildflowers line the roads.
We stopped at Santenay, about 10 miles to the south west, for a coffee. The veloroute winds through several villages, all immaculate and geared up to the wine business…Caves, Chateaux and Domaines everywhere.
Canal du Centre
Just beyond Santenay the veloroute connects with a voie verte alongside the Canal du Centre. This is a peaceful, traffic free ride, disturbed only by the occasional duck or heron. And just now and again a serious cyclist flashing past at the speed of lycra.
After a few miles along the canal we retraced our steps and headed back along the voie verte and the velo route.
18th Century Windmill
There is an old windmill just outside Santenay.
Dogfighting
There is a lot of wildlife. Kites abound and we saw these two (a kestrel, and possibly a buzzard?) having a minor tiff above the rows of vines.
We will uproot shortly and head east into the Franche-Comte region.
Rambling about Europe with the Kray Twins (Colin and Penny).
Travels with Mavis 
Loving your blog and have to ask, how do you find all these wonderful cycle paths?
Hi Rosie. We came here three years ago and spotted the velo route then, but didnt have any bikes. We are in Belfort now…about to cycle round a lake …Etang les Forges…
Do you think you could write a cycle route guide for France, it would be really useful!
The non-lycra guide to pootling about on a push bike and pulling pooches?
Yes, that would be perfect, Tony doesn’t look good in lycra!
Do you pick up your cycling maps at the Tourist office or do you have a book or website of them? As My husband and i love cycling when in france so would be interested.
Looks like you are having a lovely time
Many thanks
Hi Tracey. We tend to make up our motorhome route as we go along but we did know about the velo route at Mearsault. There are maps of the velo route in the reception at the campsite. I agree that the tourist offices are a good source of ideas….i always go in when i see one and ask for cycle, village maps, etc. they often have good walking guides of the towns as well. Dont have a particular website or book i use but some good cycling is described in the Dordogne ebook.
Many thanks enjoy your travels