Want to rent a holiday home in Saône-et-Loire? Bring your bikes along with you, or rent them on site. Saône-et-Loire, in southern Burgundy, was the first department in France to introduce the "Voies Vertes" plan, which grew into a network of more than a thousand kilometers of green, well-marked and secured cycle routes. In Saône-et-Loire they sail through the green rolling landscape along vineyards, the banks of the Loire and the Canal du Center, and past imposing castles and churches.
Beautiful historic buildings that should not be on the list during the bike rides are the castle of Berzé-le-Châtel, of Cormatin, of Digoine and of Couches. The latter is also called the castle of Marguerite de Bourgogne, the wife of Louis I, King of France from 1305 to 1316. The castle organizes fun events for children during the season. Among the many cycling routes in Saône-et-Loire, there is also a special church route. Most churches are built in the rich Romanesque style, which was popular between the years 1000 and 1200 and inspired by ancient Rome.
Talking examples of Romanesque architecture can be found in Cluny, Autun, Bissy-la-Mâconnaise, Charnay-lès-Mâcon and of course in the prefecture city of Mâcon. In addition to the churches that are worth seeing, the historic center of Mâcon has beautiful medieval half-timbered houses and special specimens of carved wood. There is also an old Ursuline monastery, founded by nuns who have dedicated themselves throughout Europe to the education of young girls. There is also such a monastery in Autun, but it was given a more modern and more interesting destination for France lovers. It has a well-regarded restaurant.
In Saône-en-Loire, no fewer than 46 restaurants and inns are united in "Tables de Pays". The tourist offices have a brochure. The members focus on regional dishes and products from the region. Think of typical Burgundian dishes such as escargot, meat dishes from the famous Charolais beef and all kinds of variations around the "chicken of the chickens" - the Poule de Bresse. Those who love cheese should definitely try the "chevroton de Mâcon", a goat's cheese that the region is proud of. It also exists in miniature form, with the nice name "bouton de culotte" - button of the underpants. Renowned for dessert are the "gaufrettes macônnaises", waffles with eau-de-vie de Marc de Bourgogne brandy.
Saône-et-Loire has a lot to offer for exciting and / or educational family expeditions. Children who want to get rid of their energy can enjoy themselves in the adventure parks of Blanzy, Bergesserin, Lugny and Givry. Nice museums are the mining museum in Blanzy and the regional museum in Anost, which gives a good impression of the former rural life in South Burgundy. Those who want to know more about wine culture are welcome at the "Musée de vigneron" in Buxy and the "Le Vigneron et sa vigne" museum in Cuiseaux. Who wants to experience the wine culture, can stop on the various wine routes at the many wineries to taste. For those who explore the routes by bicycle, the following applies: enjoy, but taste in moderation to prevent swinging.