The Wine and Le Vélo – Cycling In France With Tania

Cycling in France with Tania! This is gonna be a short interesting story by Tania about cycling in Macon.

Macon is not a country or region in France, but rather a city located in the east-central part of France. Macon is the prefecture of the Saône-et-Loire department and is situated in the Burgundy-Franche-Comté region.

The city is known for its wine production and historic architecture, including the Saint-Laurent bridge and the Saint-Pierre church.

Let’s start…

When I moved from Scotland to Macon in 2011, I would have never imagined that I would become such a keen cycling enthusiast in an area normally reputed for its wine and its gastronomy.

With cycling paths along the Saone River, through the vineyards and forest hills, or across marketplaces in small villages, there is a variety of scenery and a choice of routes to discover and enjoy by bicycle.

Macon is situated an hour north of Lyon, along the Saone at the junction of the Beaujolais, Burgundy, and Bresse. It is always my starting point for my rides.

Between Chalon and Macon, there is a 150km cycle path.

It is a mythical route, easy and pleasant for those days when you just want to take it easy!

When going into the hills for my ride I will appreciate a landscape of hilly vineyards and gentle mountains covered with woods.

Unavoidable on rides are the region’s precious natural sites such as the emblematic Roches de Solutré and Vergisson.

They are famous for their atypical geology and prehistoric sites but most importantly, always a great spot for an Instagram cycling picture!

When it comes to hydration during my rides, the Mâconnais is the southernmost territory of Burgundy.

It is mainly cultivated in chardonnay wines, such as the famous Pouilly-Fuissé and Saint-Véran.

The Beaujolais vineyard and its Gamay Noir offers a variety of “crus” such as the easily recognizable Moulin-à-Vent!!

Some of my most memorable rides have included wine tasting in the owner’s cellar!

All rides around Macon are punctuated with churches and chapels, adding to the charm of the villages of the region.

As you cycle through villages in golden stones that play with the reflections of the sun,  you discover beautiful fortresses and other castles from the medieval period.

On the other side of the Saone River, you can explore the Pays de la Bresse Bourguignonne.

It is a landscape of fields and ponds where I can do gentle cycling between villages on cold winter days. 

It feels like a journey through time as most villages are witnesses of past centuries with covered marketplaces, brick, and half-timbered farmhouses, mills, and washhouses,

You can’t cycle around Macon without passing a welcoming restaurant.

Whether it is a Michelin Starred chef’s table or a winegrower’s aperitif, it is always a great reward during a ride to indulge in the local cuisine.

Southern Burgundy is renowned for its gastronomy, regional products, and traditional recipes.

I typically plan my restaurant stops at the end of my ride and at the top of a hill as the ride back home is always more difficult!! 😉

Her name is Tania, and she originally hails from Scotland. Tania and her family moved to France in 2011. Following the first lockdown in 2020, Tania discovered a new interest in cycling and has been an enthusiastic cyclist ever since. She especially enjoys road cycling and has a fondness for cycling fashion. Tania likes to share her cycling adventures on Instagram, where she can be found at @2_wheels_in_france.

Hey there,

Whether you found the story of Tania’s journey informative, and engaging, or have suggestions for how I can improve in future stories or interviews, ( you will find it all here) your feedback would be greatly appreciated.

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