This guide first appeared as just Bourgogne with only four departments and was a selected guidebook. Bourgogne and Auvergne have both four major departments, but since there is such good climbing to be found in the nearby departments that touch these regions, also included are a very good selection of cliffs that would only be an hours drive from the Bourgogne - Auvergne area. There are major autoroutes that cut straight through the regions and make access straightforward. Thus this new edition is now a very comprehensive guidebook to sixteen departments and covers the best 250 cliffs that a climber should visit.
The guide is split into 6 main regions that include adjacent departments:
1. Fontainebleau: a simple introduction to the 30 main areas.
2. Yonne - Morvan: spectacular Saussois, plus hidden granite areas.
3. Auxois - Beaune - Macon: a big concentration of classic limestone.
4. Clermont-Ferrand-Cantal: all of the Auvergne volcanic towers.
5. Saint-Etienne - Haute Loire: the quiet areas of Massif Central.
6. Ardeche - Lozere: sunshine and magnificent rock.
There is a good spread of grades meaning this is a guide for climbers of all abilities:
Grade |
Routes |
4 |
1,631 |
5 |
2,242 |
6a - 6b |
2,852 |
6c - 7a |
2,401 |
7b - 7c |
1,513 |
8a - 9a |
657 |
In order to get so much information into the this guidebook, all cliffs are featured as graphics, which enable colour coded routes to stand out exceptionally well. Each area has a large overview map showing the location of each cliff, along with local campsites, and useful shops. Opposite each map there is a data page that lists all of the cliffs for the region, and gives data such as morning or afternoon sunshine, drying times etc - so that you can very quickly view and select the best cliff for the weather.
This title is the first in a series of 6 books, which include every non-alpine sport climb, across the whole of mainland France.
In English and French.
By David Atchison-Jones.
Quality card cover, 21.5cm x 15.5cm, 320 pages.
Published 2021.
ISBN: 978-1-873-665-17-6.