DAY 32 - CLUNY TO JULIÉNAS

Another long, very enjoyable walk, full of variety.  We headed out of Cluny after breakfast and quickly joined the Voie Verte.

The Voie Verte is a paved path for cyclists and walkers. We joined it at Cluny.

A few undulating kilometres on the Voie Verte and we arrived at the Tunnel du Bois Clair.

Walking in the Tunnel du Bois Clair on the Voie Verte

Out of the tunnel

Once out of the tunnel we continued on the Voie Verte for another few kilometres. We turned off at La Roche-Vineuse to climb through the (Burgundy) vineyards.

Looking back through the vineyards 

We eventually emerged above the village of Vergisson. We had some wonderful views of the Roche de Vergisson as we descended into the village. 

The Roche de Vergisson - an impressive sight

We had decided to treat ourselves with lunch at the Auberge des Deux Roches (Inn of the 2 Rocks - Vergisson lies between the Roche de Vergisson and the Roche de Solutré) in Vergisson. 

We had done our research and knew it would be open. 

We arrived at the Auberge as the village clock struck two. It was shut. A sign on the door informed us that they were closed on Wednesdays. We weren't totally surprised, and brought out our bread and cheese for lunch on their terrace, using the table and chairs they had thoughtfully left out for us. 

Lunch at Vergisson 

After lunch we climbed to the summit of the Roche de Solutré. We had planned today's route to take in this climb. Of course, it is a significant landmark, and there were quite a few tourists on the Rock when we arrived at the top.

Spectacular views of vineyards, the village of Vergisson and the Roche de Vergisson as we climbed the Roche de Solutré. 

Nevertheless, we considered it a significant moment, and celebrated in the traditional manner : 

Selfie at the summit of the Roche de Solutré. We were probably the only middle-aged Australians in the middle of a walking holiday through France to climb up here today.

We had some excellent views of the Roche de Solutré as we went down the other side. 

The iconic Roche de Solutré. A short time earlier we had been at the top. 

Then it was another 8 kilometres through the vineyards of South Burgundy to Juliénas, a village in the Beaujolais wine district, where we are staying the night. 

Through the vineyards of South Burgundy to Juliénas 

In Juliénas we set about restoring some of the calories we had expended on our walk today. 

Fruit salad in a Chartreuse syrup, just the kind of healthy food our wonderful younger daughter in Canberra would love. 

Day:  32
Distance:  31.78km
Walking time:  6hrs 58mins
Elevation gain:  900 metres
Cumulative distance:  813.19 km