48 hours in the heart of Charolais

Burgundy-Franche-Comté/2022

The route resembles a living crib: the ox and baby Jesus gathered in the same region, a veritable land of milk and honey, stretching from Cluny to Paray-le-Monial, crossing the Charolais and Brionnais regions and approaching the Roannais.

Along the way, you'll discover a succession of typical Burgundy villages, with their beautiful blonde stonework, proud slate bell towers and elegant châteaux. First of all, Cluny, an equestrian town and above all a Christian Mecca, frequented by pilgrims and tourists alike, who marvel at the 10th-century abbey. The order of the abbots of Cluny, following the Benedictine rule, was at the origin of a great artistic and religious movement. The Cluny style can be seen not only in the abbey church, but also in the Abbey of Saint-Germain in Auxerre and the Basilica of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine in Vézelay. From Cluny, you'll travel through the countryside, passing through Navour-sur-Grosne, Dompierre-les-Ormes, Montmelard... not forgetting the essential detour to Mont Saint-Cyr. At an altitude of 770 m, it offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the Mâconnais mountains. Time to head back down to La Clayette via Varennes-sous-Dun: La Clayette is a charming little town with a magnificent château (owned by the same family since 1722, and open to the public) and a vast 30-hectare pond. The Brionnais tour continues through Saint-Christophe and Semur (with a possible detour to the Troisgros family's Colline du Colombier in Iguerande), then up through Briant, Changy and its Romanesque church, before reaching Charolles, capital of the Charolais region and its famous cattle breeding. You then continue westwards to Paray-le-Monial. The Sacré-Coeur basilica is another magnificent example of the Cluniac style. You'll love wandering around the abbey, in its quiet, religiously serene corners, such as Place Guignault.