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Saone-et-Loire

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Visit Saone-et-Loire, France

Visit Saone-et Loire to experience a quieter region of Burgundy, experienced most perhaps in the reflective calm of Cluny abbey, but also in many of the towns and villages across this untouristy department.

Selected places to visit in Saone-et-Loire

Anzy-le-Duc

Autun

Brancion

Chalon-sur-Saone

Cluny

Cormatin

Macon

Paray-le-Monial

Semur-en-Brionnais

Solutre-Pouilly

Tournus

Saone-et-Loire is to the south-western corner of Burgundy. The capital of the department is Mâcon.

Northern Saone-et-Loire

Stepping back beyond the Middle Ages for once, there are important Roman remains at Autun, in the north-west corner of Saone-et-Loire (east of Beaune).

Be sure to also visit Chalon-sur-Saone between Dijon and Mâcon.

The ecomuseum at Le Creusot focusses on the rich industrial heritage of the region.

Bibracte, on the summit of Mont Beuvray (north-west at Saint-Léger-sous-Beuvray) is an important location, at one time being the centre of a very important celtic settlement. Various exhibits pay tribute to this history, and the site is listed as one of just 33 'Grand Sites of France'.

Southern Saone-et-Loire

The town of Tournus is to the north-east of Cluny, and don't miss Cormatin Chateau, also a little north of Cluny. The newly renovated village of Brancion, between Tournus and Cormatin, is also recommended. Solutré-Pouilly is dominated by the Rock of Solutré and is known for its wine.

Be sure also to visit the basilica at Paray-le-Monial to the west of Cluny for a taste of what Cluny was originally like, and the church at Anzy-le-Duc a little to the south.

Brionnais: The Brionnais region is the south-western corner of the department, centred around the beautiful village at Semur-en-Brionnais. Set in attractive rolling countryside, the Brionnais is best known for the large number of interesting churches, and to a lesser degree castles.

The main towns and villages here are Marcigny, Briant, Chauffailles, La Clayette (best known for the pretty Chateau de la Clayette) and Saint-Julien-de-Civry.

See a list of all Saone-et-Loire communes

Map of Saone-et-Loire

French version: Saone-et-Loire (Francais)