Southern Burgundy

This Burgundy bike tour is centered around Bourbon-l'Archambault. In earlier times, Bourbon-l'Archambault was the residence of the dukes of Bourbon. Duke Louis II had a castle built around 1400 atop a hill overlooking the region, the remains of which still dominate the town. Many famous people have come to this area for its hot springs, including the French poets Scarron and Boileau, Madame de Sévigné (the French aristocrat remembered for her letter writing) and Madame de Montespan, the disgraced mistress of Loius XIV! You will reside in a stylish hotel (pictured below) – a former castle in the center of the city. The hospitable proprietors and fine French chefs will ensure a very pleasant stay! The region surrounding Bourbon is known for its varied landscapes: cycle Burgundy through forests, valleys and plateaus as well as its picturesque villages commonly with 12th century Romanesque churches. Directly south of Bourbon are many gorgeous castles, some of which can be visited. The city of Moulins with its nice old city center and beautiful cathedral is also worth visiting.

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Various routes from Bourbon L’Archambault:
A – Roundtrip tour to Souvigny, 24 or 32 mi.
B – Castle in Cérilly & Château des Ducs de Bourbon, 26 or 34 mi.
C – Through forests to Meillers & Buxières-les-Mines, 30 mi.
D – To Moulins & its gorgeous Cathedral, 41 mi.
E – Château l’Augère, Château de Praingy & Château de la Tour, 26 mi.
F – St. Aubain & the Château de la Salle near Vieure, 20 or 37 mi.

A – Roundtrip to Souvigny, 24 or 32 mi.
A roundtrip tour to Souvigny with a well-preserved priory of the religious order of Cluny. In the 12th century, this order had more than a 1000 branches. The museum with the priory, gardens and the Église Saint Marc are worth visiting. There is also a city-walk possible along the many historical attractions. The long route makes an extra loop through the rural landscape.

B – Castle in Cérilly & Château des Ducs de Bourbon, 26 or 34 mi.
Today you’ll cycle Burgundy through a rolling hedge-landscape that is characteristic of this region. The longer route comes to the town Cérilly, where you’ll encounter a castle, a 12th century Romanesque Church and a museum dedicated to the writer Charles-Louis Philippe. Through the Forêt Domaniale de Civrais, you’ll ride to St. Plaisir. The remarkable Romanesque Cathedral has amazing frescos and a beautifully built carved pulpit. On the return leg, you’ll come past the medieval fortress Château des Ducs de Bourbon, situated high above Bourbon-l’Archambault.

C – Through forests to Meillers & Buxières-les-Mines, 30 mi.
Through the Forêt Domaniale des Prieurés Gros Bois and over forest-rich, small rural roads, you’ll make your way to the authentic town of Meillers. Here stands the Église St. Julien with an impressive bell tower. Then the route climbs lightly followed by easy cycling to the town of Buxières-les-Mines. The last coalmine of the Auvergne is here nothing more than a memory. You’ll continue cycling past quaint hamlets as well as the picturesque towns of St. Hilaire and Gipsy.

D – To Moulins & its gorgeous Cathedral, 41 mi.
Today consists of a nice, varied route through valleys and forests. The pretty hamlet of Autry Issard is adorned with colorful bicycles that are hung with flower boxes. Then you’ll ride further to the destination of this route, the city of Moulins. The entry over the river Allier is impressive. The city has a well-preserved historic center with a gorgeous Cathedral.

E – Château l’Augère, Château de Praingy & Château de la Tour, 26 mi.
Today’s route could just as accurately by called the Castle Route. You’ll pass many small castles and manors that are mostly privately owned. One of the nicest is the Château l’Augère. You will also be charmed by the Château de Praingy and Château de la Tour as well as the many other country manors and the pristine surroundings.

F – St. Aubain & Château de la Salle near Vieure, 20 or 37 mi.
Via the Forêt Domaniale des Prieurés Gros Bois, you’ll cycle France to St. Aubain. In this town, you can choose to take a shorter route that goes directly to Ygrande. The longer route goes via Buxières-les-Mines over a pretty bridge to Cosne. In this town on Tuesday mornings, there is a market with specialties from the region. Next, you’ll follow the route to the small village of Vieure with a picturesque church-square. Just outside Vieure is the Château de la Salle, which you may visit. Via Ygrande with a 12th century church, you’ll cycle back to Bourbon.

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Castle-hotel, Grand Hotel Montespan Talleyrand, with thermal spas, swimming pool, and free internet access