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IN THE SURROUNDINGS OF SIGY-LE-CHÂTEL

 

 

CITIES

 

Mâcon :

 

 

 

Mâcon is situated half an hour from Sigy-le-Châtel. This, in origin Celtic city, played an important part, especially in The Middle Ages, as capital of a County belonging to the duchy of Burgundy. During the Hundred Year War the city had a hard time. Fortunately the inhabitants of Mâcon could preserve many authentic elements. So you can admire the remnants of the former cathedral Saint-Vincent and you can visit the ‘Maison de Bois’ (the Wooden House), a framework from the Renaissance. Mâcon is also the city of wine. Every year there is the fair ‘Foire Internationale des Vins de France’. The famous French poet and politician Alphonse de Lamartine was born in Mâcon. These days you can still visit the ‘Musée Lamartine’.

 

Cluny :

 

 

 

This city is situated on a fifteen minute drive from Sigy-le-Châtel. It has especially become famous because of the Order of Cluny, which, in the Middle Ages, had a very important influence on the religious, political and artistic life in Western Europe. The Benedict monastery, the Abbey of Cluny, was founded in 910, and was the center of a great monastic reformatory movement. Between 1798 and 1823, the Abbey was largely devastated. From the monastic church only the transept and two towers remain. The ‘Musée d’Art et d’Archéologie’ is situated in the former abbot house and has a collection that contains the remnants of the Abbey, among which are sculptures and architectural elements. In the old centre of Cluny, you can admire a few houses in Roman style. 

 

Chalon-sur-Saône :

 

 

Brancion :

 

 

 

Saint-Gengoux-le-National :

 

 

 

NATURE

 

Vineyards :

 

 

 

Thinking of Burgundy, you cannot resist the delicious wines that are produced in this region. On the hills of the right banc of the Sâone, from the city of Tournus as far as the south region of Mâcon, you find the largest wine region of Burgundy. The ‘Chardonnay’ grape flourishes very well in these ‘terroir’ and produces excellent dry, fruity, white wines. Some villages, especially in the south of this region, have, because of the soil and the position, the right to their own ‘appellation’. (Pouilly-Fuissé, Pouilly-Vinzelles, Saint-Véran ...). Also the ‘Macon Villages’ are well known. These white wines are coming from the 43 villages which wines have a better quality. The red Mâcon wines are mainly made from the grape ‘Gamay’, as in Beaujolais. They like to be savoured young and they have a spicy taste with a red fruit flavour.

 

 

Thanks the countless roads and the paths who serpentine through the vineyards, it is possible to do great walks and cycling-tours in these charming surroundings.

 

The Rock of Solutré :

 

 

At a very little distance of Mâcon, the ‘Roche de Solutré’ dominates the vineyards in de surroundings. It is a gigantic rock that towers above the landscape. This classified site has a rich collection of remnants from the ‘Paleolithicum’ (20.000-16.000B.C.). Many of these archeological remnants have found their place in the ‘Musée Départemental de Préhistoire’, situated in the commune of Solutré-Pouilly. A walk to the top of the rock, with a promise of a superb view, takes about half an hour.

 

Mont-Saint-Vincent :

 

 

 

OTHER CURIOSITIES

 

The castle ruins of Sigy-le-Châtel :

 

 

The Cormatin castle :

 

 

 

The Cormatin Castle was build between 1605 and 1616, just after the Religion Wars ,by the Governor of Chalon, Antoine du Blé d'Huxelles. The architecture is sober en tight, which was characteristic of this period. The original castle had three wings, at right angles to each other. The south wing has collapsed in 1815, while trying to incorporate a weaving-mill. The large moats and the impressive corner pavilions, with watch-towers and cannon-holes, still are a silent witness of their defensive function, just as the remnants of the fortification wall, which was destroyed at the end of the 17th century. The castle is open to visit. Beside the monumental house of stairs, you can visit also many splendid decorated rooms and bedrooms. Admire especially the tapestry and the paintings. Do not forget to visit the fairy-like garden and don't get lost in the labyrinth! 

 

 

 

Roman churches:

 

 

 

Burgundy is not only known for his fantastic wines, but also for his Roman churches and chapels. You can discover them everywhere in the landscape. Most of them were raised in the early Middle Ages, under the influence of the religious reformation movement of Cluny. They are recognizable by their tight, often cumbersome view. Also the thick walls, the little windows and the round arches are typical features of the Roman architecture. The picture in the right shows the Roman church of Sigy

 

Artisan Markets / Flea-markets :

 

 

 

You can say your vacation is successful when you have enjoyed all the things a region has to offer. At the countless artisan markets, which are organised in the region of Sigy-le-Châtel, you can not only taste the local wine, buy fresh goat cheese, or enjoy sweet honey, but you can also buy beautiful handmade stuff. Don't forget to visit the ‘marchés aux puces’, the famous flea-markets, and the ‘vide-greniers’, where people sell personal things. (‘vide-greniers’ means: empty your loft).

 

There is so much to see and to do... 

  

 

 

 

 

 

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