Campsites in Saône et Loire
To enable you to discover the region in the best possible conditions, more than 70 campsites in Saône-et-Loire welcome you for a pleasant stay in complete freedom. Like the Autun *** campsite in Autun, which will allow you to discover the large lakes and forests of the Morvan during lovely walks in a horse-drawn carriage or canoe. The Matour *** campsite in Matour, where you can take advantage of the Paluet leisure centre as well as a heated aquatic area with a slide, a Spa and a solarium. Many hiking trails also leave from the campsite. The campsite Le Village des Meuniers **** in Dompierre-les-Ormes offers spacious pitches with a beautiful view over the valley and many activities such as a circus workshop and evening entertainment. From here you can visit Cluny and its abbey and the Solutré rock.
The must-see discoveries in Saône et Loire
Solutré and its famous Rock
How can we not mention Solutré and its famous Rock? A high place of prehistory and classified as a Grand Site de France, it is a rocky limestone escarpment situated in the middle of the vineyards, at the foot of which prehistoric instruments made of flint have been found, as well as horse bones. A nice 1 hour 15 minute hike allows you to climb to the top of the Rock without any major difficulty, and it is well worth the effort... a breathtaking view of the Beaujolais vineyards awaits you up there, the village and the Roche de Vergisson, which is also part of the Grands Sites de France.
Abbeys and their treasures
The largest Christian church until the foundation of St. Peter's in Rome, the Abbey of Cluny was built in 910 and was the most powerful Benedictine abbey in the West in the Middle Ages. From the various wars of religion, it has kept vestiges like so many treasures. An augmented reality immersion is now possible to discover the abbey as you have never seen it, between past and present and more real than life! A way of discovering the history of France in a fun way for children and their parents. Tournus is also a town not to be missed in Saône-et-Loire. The narrow streets and round-tiled roofs of the old town make it a charming place. Famous above all for its abbey, described as "one of the most prestigious sanctuaries of early Romanesque art". Very well preserved, it is truly remarkable with its ochre and pink stones and the height under its vaults is intoxicating.
Autun, city of art and history
Its medieval streets, its Gallo-Roman ramparts which border the city, the Saint Lazare cathedral, the interior of which has been entirely renovated in 2019, and its magnificent Romanesque tympanum representing the Last Judgement, make Autun a city whose heritage and ancient remains are remarkable. Let's not forget the Roman theatre and the superb Saint-André gate which are also worth seeing.
Paray-le-Monial and its basilica, a magnificent example of Romanesque art
Considered a replica of the abbey church of Cluny, tourists come from all over the world to visit the basilica, knowing that it is also an important place of pilgrimage. The town with its Saint-Nicolas tower, its timber-framed houses, gives a sublime architectural ensemble. A very pretty medieval garden is located next to the cloister next to the basilica.
Château de Cormatin and its gardens are ideal for a stroll...
Built between 1606 and 1025 and home to the Marquis d'Huxelles, the magnificent Château de Cormatin houses the most opulent flat of Louis XIII preserved in France. Sculptures, gilding, nothing was too good for the favourite of Queen Marie de Médicis. Many politicians enjoyed staying in this castle, such as Lamartine, whose bedroom can be visited, and later Mitterand. Still inside, we discover a superb 20-metre high staircase, an 18th century kitchen and luxurious 1900s lounges. Surrounded by a moat, the baroque style garden is splendid, with a boxwood labyrinth, 12 hectares of flower beds, an aviary, ponds and a green theatre.
Finally, you should know that the Saône-et-Loire has had the good idea of making the Voie Verte available to cyclists. It is 120 km long and is largely built on a former railway line. It is tarmac and safe, and allows you to discover most of the must-see sites and bucolic landscapes in a pleasant and ecological way.