Charming Villages of Southern Burgundy

From Chalon sur Saône to Mâcon

Burgundy is a region full of traditions. Many very charming villages throughout Southern Burgundy show you their attachment to these traditions. We will make you discover some of these villages with their old stone frontages and narrow little streets. An introduction to traditional Burgundy villages between the vineyards of the Côte Chalonnaise and the Mâconnais…

Buxy

Only a few kilometers south from Chalon sur Saône, in the heart of the Côte Chalonnaise vineyards, Buxy is one of the nicest medieval villages in this area. A very rare vestige of the ramparts of this fortified town, the Tour Rouge is the last remaining of the original 6 defensive towers of the town. Around the very pretty church (with its remarkable clock tower), you will discover many beautiful medieval houses

Saint Gengoux le National

Under the influence of the Benedictine monks of Cluny, this pretty town has developed around its 12th century church and its fortress. In the narrow little streets with inspiring names you can still admire some former hotels and beautiful other buildings, a well as some very pretty « lavoirs » (wash houses typical for Southern Burgundy). You can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view over the town from the 12th century bell tower.

Laives

This little village is interesting for the Lenoux Chapel, the Saint Antonin porch, 15th century vestiges, its old wash house and the « rue aux fontaines ».

Chapaize

The bell tower dominates the landscape of rural Burgundy, rising above the beautiful Romanesque church and the rest of the town. This very pretty 12th century church is the main place of interest of the village, but you will also discover some beautiful old houses with apparent stones. The church is the only remainder of a monastery which was under the influence of Cluny.

Brancion

The village of Brancion is perched on the Southern Burgundy hills and used to be one of the most important fortified towns of the region. The château and a church built between the 10th and 14th century are the vestiges of this ere. Today, it seems as if time stood still at Brancion, all building are in the same state as during the middle ages. To enter the fortified town of Brancion, one needs to go through a door. From the church and the keep, you can enjoy a magnificent view over Southern Burgundy and the village of la Chapelle sous Brancion.

Taizé

The village of Taizé is a pretty little village situated on a hill top. Taizé is known all over Europe for the oecumenical community.

Blanot

This village inspires tranquility. Blanot has a tradition of being quiet : in the old days, difficult and turbulent monks were sent to Blanot to calm down. You will admire the lovely 11th century church, together with its priory and surrounding houses all in an architectural harmony. In the village, you will also discover lavoirs, fountains and an old bread oven. Just outside the village, the “grottes de Blanot” are definitely worth a visit.

Berzé la Ville and Berzé le Châtel

Berzé la Ville is a remarkable little village near Cluny with beautiful houses and lots of flowers. Here, whilst wandering around in the village, you will discover narrow little roasds, lavoirs, a plaster mill and a surprising well. The monks’ Chapel is what really makes Berzé la Ville worth visiting. This chapel is decorated with frescos who are said to be done by the same people who created the frescos of the Abbey of Cluny.

Not far from Berzé la Ville, Berzé le Châtel is one of the biggest castles of the Mâconnais area. It is perched on a hill looking out over the “Voie Verte” (former rail road transformed into a very pleasant cycle path leadibng from Givry to Cluny).