This beautiful motorcycle route runs through the heart of Burgundy, in the area between Montceau-les-Mines, Montchanin, Saint-Léger-sur-Dheune, and the Châlons-sur-Saône region. The route forms a large loop that takes you through rolling hills, charming villages, and forest edges, with frequent views of rivers, lakes, and vineyards.
Near Saint-Gengoux-le-National, you'll drive through a picturesque region with many old stone houses and gently winding roads. Here you can enjoy the pace of typical Burgundian country roads.
The region around Montceau-les-Mines and Blanzy exudes industrial history. For centuries, people extracted wealth from the earth: first iron, later coal.
To this day, you can still see traces of this harsh, impressive past in various places. The area is also rich in lakes and ponds, created by mining and canals.
The Dheune Valley is a picturesque area where nature, vineyards, and historic villages converge. Formed by the Dheune River, a tributary of the Saône, it is known for its tranquil landscapes, hiking trails, and charming castles. The valley's landscape is peaceful and tranquil.

Typical of Saône-et-Loire is the low traffic outside the major cities. The bends aren't extremely technical, but are perfect for smooth riding. The combination of varied scenery, quiet roads, and some unmissable sights makes this route a 5-star ride.

The starting point is just outside Mercurey – known for its excellent red wines – at the Gîtes des Vignes. This holiday home sleeps four and is quietly situated. The owner, who lives next door, makes his garage available for motorcycles.
Also, keep in mind that you won't find a gas station along the route for another 35 km. It might be best to fill up first (or the night before) at Mercurey, about 2 km from the holiday home.

Passing through the picturesque village of Saint-Denis-de-Vaux, you'll drive through the Givry wine region. Givry is a classic Burgundian wine region known for its Pinot Noir, with its floral and fruity aromas, and Chardonnay, with its fresh, honeyed notes.

The Château de Saint-Germain in Saint-Germain-lès-Buxy is an impressive castle from the 15th century, which was later transformed in the 19th century into a romantic neo-Renaissance country house with neo-Gothic accents.
The large defensive walls were replaced by the magnificent courtyard of honor, which opens onto the picturesque park. The enormous moats, which also enclose the outbuildings, form spectacular water mirrors. They are fed by the gargoyles on the roof of the west facade, modeled on those of Notre-Dame de Paris. The stables have retained several elements and display horse-drawn carriages, prams, and the tack room with its accessories. The park features large trees, some over two hundred years old, and boxwood shrubs. One of the oaks is classified as a remarkable tree.
The exterior of the castle, the courtyard, the stables and the tack room are open to visitors.

As you enter Saint-Gengoux-le-National, there's a gas station. A little further on, Le Baron Perché, with its colorful parasols and chairs, invites you to stop. You can have a drink on the terrace or in the garden with traditional wooden games, or inside among the books. Special attention is paid to the drinks menu. A unique and enjoyable experience!

You now enter a slightly hilly area. Small forests and farmland alternate with panoramic views. The road gradually winds upwards to Mont Saint-Vincent, a medieval hilltop village situated at an altitude of 603 meters and famous for its panoramic views and Romanesque church. It is one of the most picturesque spots in the region.
The Eglise Saint-Vincent is one of the most impressive Romanesque churches in Burgundy. It was originally a priory of Cluny. The church has no tower, which makes it quite unique.

Montceau-les-Mines is a town known for its industrial past as a mining town and its current transformation into a green and cultural city. The town was officially founded in 1856, when the coal mines in the Bourbince Valley expanded rapidly. The town grew rapidly thanks to the coal mines and the construction of the Canal du Centre, which connects the Loire with the Saône. Remnants of mine shafts, old factories, and working-class neighborhoods recall this past. The industrial character is still visible in the architecture and urban fabric. After the mines closed, Montceau-les-Mines reinvented itself as a town of parks and water.
The city has transformed its mining history into a cultural heritage, with museums and events that highlight this past. It boasts a vibrant city center with colorful facades along the Canal du Centre, ideal for walks and boat trips.

Past the Canal du Centre, take a short detour to the restaurant "La Brasserie." There's ample parking.
La Brasserie is a must for gourmets. This restaurant offers a varied menu of local specialties and seasonal dishes, prepared with fresh ingredients. The atmosphere is cozy and warm, ideal for a meal with family or friends.

In Blanzy, you can visit the Musée de la Mine. The museum invites you to an unusual and unique experience! On the authentic shaft, in the shadow of the winding tower, opposite the working machines and in the dim light of the galleries, you'll travel through time and discover the world of mining.
Accompanied by a guide, sometimes a former miner, you will visit the above-ground installations: the lamp room, the shaft with its winding tower and conveyor belt, the engine room with its 19th-century mining machine, which still works.
Then the underground adventure begins: 200 meters of equipped galleries, from the traditional wooden gallery with support beams to the ultramodern walking support structure with a planing plate, a machine unique in France. Exhibitions and a video complete the tour.

Your route winds along the Barrage de la Sorme, a reservoir accessible via small, quiet roads. Completed in 1971, it is the largest water reservoir in the department. It combines drinking water supply and water management with recreation and biodiversity, making it an important part of the landscape around Montceau-les-Mines. Lac de la Sorme is also a birdwatching hotspot.

La Tagnière is one of the highest and most wooded sections of the route, with green ridges, panoramic views over forests, and rural valleys. This section is winding and perfect for riders who enjoy flowing lines through a mix of forest and open plains.

In the cradle of the French Industrial Revolution, charcoal, iron, and steel shaped the history of Le Creusot. Discover the Château de La Verrerie, a landmark where you can learn about the Schneider family's industrial adventure. The museum's permanent collections tell the story of the Royal Manufacture of Emeralds and Crystals of the Queen. You'll discover the expertise of the master glassmakers through their productions—frosted glass, crystal, and the glassware that gave the place its name. Admission is free.

The roads in the Dheune River Valley are winding and picturesque. The tranquil river valley setting with its bridges, the charm of the Canal du Centre, and gently rolling hills dotted with vineyards… bring you back to Mercurey. You're now just a stone's throw from your holiday home.