MTG2 03 Bourgogne Roundtrip southern Morvan
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RouteXpert René Plücken (MRA Master)
Last edit: 03-09-2025
Route Summary This route comes from the French Motorcycle Tour Guide Part 2 and the original name is "Bougogne; Route description 1: the southern Morvan".
In the French Motorcycle Tour Guide, Part 2, a distinction is made between approach routes and tours within a specific area. The approach routes can also be used in conjunction with the routes from the French Motorcycle Tour Guide, Part 1.
The routes have sometimes been slightly modified based on tips Bert Loorbach provides in his description, or because of a different overnight stay, or to meet the minimum 2-hour time limit for the MRA Library. Each route review includes a more detailed description, including overnight options and points of interest along the way, which are also indicated with a point of interest and, if possible, a short description.
The last part of the route doesn't have any special points to stop at, but I still rate this route 5***** because of the beautiful roads, the villages, the lovely lakes, and the panoramas along the way.
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Animation
Verdict
Duration
8h 7m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
256.73 km
Countries
RouteXpert Review Burgundy is roughly located within the rectangle formed by Dijon, Auxerre, Nevers, and Macon. It's therefore also a lovely trip for a long weekend or midweek break for those who can't get away for too long but still want to experience the authentic French atmosphere. Secondly, the scenery is stunning. Three-quarters of the Morvan, the heart of Burgundy, is forested, and water is everywhere in the form of streams, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Culturally, Burgundy is rich, teeming with Romanesque churches and charming towns, so there's plenty of beauty to stop for sightseeing and photo opportunities along the way.
It's a great place for motorcycle touring; countless small roads lead you through forests, along lakes and rivers, from one charming village to the next. The access routes to Burgundy are described in routes 1 and 2 in this series. This review covers the first of two routes in this beautiful area.
A glance at the map reveals a maze of small roads and a landscape dotted with numerous lakes. This tour aims to visit as many lakes as possible. It's a treat for water sports enthusiasts, but those who love winding roads and authentic country lanes and villages will also find plenty to enjoy. Those interested in water management will also find plenty to see: the dams in this area regulate the water supply to the Seine Basin, and therefore also to Paris. The original route as described in the Motor Tour Guide starts in Château-Chinon, but I've described the route starting from the campsite in Autun, the end point of the second approach route to Burgundy.
We drive along the beautiful, winding D3 through a lovely green and wooded area to Bibracte. This is an open-air museum of the excavations of the Gallic fortified town of Bibracte, identified with present-day Mont Beuvray in the French Morvan region. The name Bibracte possibly means "double-fortified." Founded on one of the peaks of the Haut-Morvan, the town of Bibracte was the capital of the powerful Aedui tribe.
The route continues to Château-Chinon, where we begin the original route and, after a short stretch on the D944, turn right onto the 340-meter-long dam over the Lac de Pannecière-Chaumard. At the end, we turn right and then immediately sharply left to drive to the Montreuillon Aqueduct. This 152-meter-long water bridge carries the water from the Yonne drainage canal across the valley from the original course of the river. We return to the reservoir via a narrow, winding road. There's a small beach where you can stop for a refreshing dip in good weather.
We continue along a beautiful, winding road to the small village of Ouroux-en-Morvan, with a large church in the center. We cross the "Réservoir du Bois de Chaum" hydroelectric dam, and nearby, water sports enthusiasts can rent a kayak or go rafting on the fast-flowing river.
We continue on wonderfully winding roads such as the D235, D944, D128 and D55 to the small town of Quarré-les-Tombes, where we stop for lunch.
We then drive back to the campsite in Autan via beautiful roads with many bends and stunning panoramas of the green and hilly French landscape. If you don't want to camp, you can also stay overnight in a hotel in the city.
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Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
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