Tourism in south Burgundy... where do we start?

There is so much to see and do in this part of France that we could not possibly list all of it. So, we are aiming to give you a brief overview so you can see a sample of places of interest, history or culture.

Cluny (www.cluny-tourism.com) - This area is steeped in history and culture - it's a wonderful place to visit all year round with lots of events held in the area. Only situated 15 minutes from Les Portials Bleus, it's a great place to start your holiday of discovery.

Mâcon (www.macon-tourism.com) - Mâcon became the administrative centre of Saône-et-Loire in 1790 and is proud of the birth of one of its well known children: Alphonse de Lamartine (Poet and Minister). It was an active centre of the Resistance during World War II and the river Saône runs through the centre - with a newly constructed quayside where the Saturday market is held as well as local concerts and events.  Mâcon is only a short 20 minute journey from Les Portails Bleus.

Dijon (www.dijon-tourism.com) is about an hours journey north of Azé.  Dijon became the capital of the dukes of Burgundy around 1000 AD but it lost its capital status on incorporation into the kingdom of France in 1477, but has remained one of the country's pre-eminent provincial cities. Today, it's a smart and modern city but it's history is steeped back over thousands of years and this is evident when you visit this amazing city.

Beaune (www.beaune-burgundy.com) is also about an hours journey from us. Situated in the heart of the wine roads (Route des Vins) and  prestigious vineyards, like Pommard, Corton-Charlemagne, La Romanée-Conti whose names make wine lovers' eyes sparkle. Beaune is also a city of art with the master element of the town's heritage: the Hôtel-Dieu (Hospices de Beaune) and its multicoloured roofs.

Lyon (www.en.lyon-france.com) is found about an hours train ride from us and it situated where the Soâne and Rhône rivers converge.  The 5th December 1998 is the date that UNESCO added Lyon’s old historical area to its Humanities World Heritage list in the category of urban sites. Set across more than 500 hectares, all of Lyon’s 2000 year history is evident.  This area remains habitable, lively and vibrant throughout its 2000 year history.

Discover Lyon by foot, train, tram or open topped tourist bus.  Choose lunch or dinner from the many hundreds of restaurants.  For centuries, cuisine has been an integral part of Lyon and inseparable from its lifestyle.  This is the reason why Lyon is the world’s leading gastronomy capital!

The Beaujolias region (www.beaujolais.net) is a brief 30 minute journey from Les Portails Bleus.  The occupation of France by the Romans contributed towards the advent of vine-growing, including in the Beaujolais region.  Well-positioned terroir, the proximity of the navigable Saône and Rhône Rivers and the growth of towns together lead to the Beaujolais region intensifying its vine-growing and wine-making activity in 17th century.  All the Beaujolais Cru villages such as Fleurie, Morgan and Juliénas can be found in this region and with lots of opportunities to taste the locally produced wine, this is a wonderful place to find out which one is your favourite.

Suggested viewing tour

1. Start at Tournus, a beautiful little town on the banks of the Saône visiting the the old abbey church of St-Philibert, one of the earliest and most influential Romanesque buildings in Burgundy.
2. Moving onto Brancion where you can visit the medieval military castle which has been in existence since the tenth century.
3. After this you move along to Cormatin, where you will find the Château and it's lovely gardens. Take some time out to wander round the formal gardens or the elaborate, though functional, potager garden behind the Orangerie tea rooms.
4. Finally, finish the tour in Chardonnay - yes there really is a village called Chardonnay. Here you can try the locally produced world recognised white wine or a drop of the red either at the Cave de Chardonnay or at the last independent wine grower in Chardonnay, Christophe Nouhen.

The ABC tour - Artisans, Beef & Chocolate

1. The tour starts around Cluny where local Artisans have long been attracted to this area. Visit the lace shop in the town centre or the Abbey.  There are white Charolais cattle grazing in the rolling hills and the best beef in France is reared here.  A short distance off the main road, in the village of Sivignon there is a glass workshop run by Annette Meech and Christopher Williams, producing designs in stunning colours.
2. Charolles and St Christophe-en-Brionnais are two villages famous for their cattle markets. The former is held on Wednesday morning, the latter in the afternoon.
3. From Charolles you head to La Clayette on the D985, passing Château de Drée at Curbigny.  La Clayette is dominated by a magnificent Château surrounded by a lake, right in the centre of the town and behind the Château is a motor museum where all the exhibits are for sale. Master Chocolatier M Bernard Dufoux has a amazing chocolate shop on the high street, where you can sample his delightful produce and even get the opportunity to see them being made.
4. The tiny village of Châteauneuf is a short distance from La Clayette on the way back towards Azé. Here there are almost more antique dealers than there are houses, so can you be sure of a lovely souvenir of this trip.

So there you are, a brief overview of this wonderful part of Burgundy. Why not come and see for yourself?