Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Chalon-sur-Saône, France

Situated in southern Burgundy, Chalon-sur-Saône represents a delightful riverside destination within the Cote Chalonnaise wine region. For those with an appreciation for fine wines, the area offers numerous memorable and educational excursions to its vineyards and cellars.

In the 19th century, Chalon-sur-Saône became notable as the birthplace of Vivant Denon, the renowned pioneer of modern museums, and Nicéphore Niépce, recognized as the creator of the first photograph. Both figures are commemorated through dedicated museums. The town formerly thrived as an inland river port, although trading vessels have now been replaced by leisure cruises along the Saône and the Canal du Centre.

Let us investigate the top attractions in Chalon-sur-Saône:

1. Musée Nicéphore-Niépce

This museum serves as a pilgrimage site for both amateur and professional photographers, celebrating the innovators of the field.

Nicéphore Niépce, a native of Chalon, is celebrated for capturing the world’s first photograph, “View from the Window at Le Gras,” in 1826 or 1827. The museum explores Niépce’s contributions to photography and showcases several of his inventions, including a velocipede, an early model of a bicycle.

However, the main emphasis lies on photography itself, with a vast collection exceeding 1,500 cameras and three million photographs spanning the 19th and 20th centuries, developed using various techniques.

2. Musée Vivant-Denon

This museum of art and history pays tribute to Vivant Denon, the Louvre’s director under Napoleon, a visionary in archaeology, art history, Egyptology, and museology.

The museum features a dedicated room that highlights Denon’s career and displays several engravings he produced.

Additionally, visitors can explore Chalon’s local history, particularly during the Gallo-Roman period, represented by an intriguing collection of bronzes and a lapidary exhibit.

The museum also houses an impressive fine arts collection, where Italian Baroque paintings take prominence, featuring works by Luca Giordano, Bernardo Strozzi, and Corrado Giaquinto.

3. Chalon Cathedral

The town’s cathedral encapsulates a condensed history of religious art in the Burgundy region.

Characterized by a long and intricate history, the building showcases an eclectic array of architectural styles.

The Neo-Gothic facade and two towers, constructed in the 1800s, contrast with internal elements that date back to the 1000s.

Burgundian Romanesque design can be observed in the simpler chapels, adorned with medieval and Renaissance artworks, including a breathtaking 15th-century fresco.

Moreover, the sanctuary features a remarkable tapestry woven in Brussels in 1510.

4. Côte Chalonnaise Wine

Chalon is situated on Burgundy’s Route des Grands Vins, with the Côte Chalonnaise stretching from the southern portion of the Côte d’Or, beginning at the Maranges vineyards, recently recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The region is located on the elevated west bank of the Saône, gently rising and falling over approximately 25 kilometers from north to south.

Within this picturesque landscape lie 44 wine villages, where artisans cultivate predominantly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, maturing their wines in spacious oak barrels.

Wines from this part of Burgundy are characterized by their distinct profiles: generally, reds are robust with a culinary richness, while whites embody exotic notes typical of those found in wines from southern France.

5. Chemin de l’Orbandale

The local tourist office has established a walking route around Chalon’s historic center.

Comprising 30 points of interest, visitors can obtain a brochure from the office, detailing each stop.

Every turn reveals something captivating to observe, whether it is a Renaissance half-timbered house situated in the Saint-Vincent quarter or views of both the town and the cathedral from the Pont Saint-Laurent.

Further discoveries await on Île Saint-Laurent, which is overseen by the 15th-century Tour du Doyenné, an impressive belfry constructed from brick and accented with white limestone quoins.

6. Ancien Hôpital Saint-Laurent

Also located on Île Saint-Laurent is the town’s former hospital, established in 1530 during the reign of Francis I, and notably counted Victor Hugo among its patients.

This historic hospital retains an unmistakable religious character, both in the oratory and the living quarters for the Sainte-Marthe sisterhood.

Furthermore, one of the most remarkable exhibits is the 18th-century pharmacy, showcasing antique vials and ceramics stored in wooden cabinets.

Visitors are encouraged to examine the unusual ingredients that were used as medicine and alarming surgical instruments spanning from the 1500s to the 1900s.

7. Place Saint-Vincent

This vibrant square, located in front of the cathedral, dominates the area with its charming atmosphere.

Place Saint-Vincent is largely occupied by restaurant and bar terraces, surrounded on three sides by four-story timber-framed houses.

These Renaissance structures feature delightful irregularities, with cantilevered upper floors that almost jut out over the square.

A fountain adorned with modern sculpture provides a contemporary contrast to the historic setting.

Visitors are encouraged to explore on Friday and Sunday mornings when weekly markets have their origins dating back to the early Middle Ages.

8. Quai des Messageries

Perhaps the most picturesque location on the right bank of the Saône is this quay, commencing just west of the Pont Saint-Laurent.

A wide walkway adjacent to the water, lined with plane trees, offers refreshing shade over the benches below.

This setting provides an uninterrupted view across the river to the Tour du Doyenné, the former hospital, and the lush riverbank dotted with flowerbeds.

The tourist office is situated at the far end, and concerts are held here during the summer months.

This transformation from the past is a stark contrast to the days when this area served as the docks for Chalon, facilitating the shipping of Côte Chalonnaise wine throughout France via its inland waterways.

9. Espace Nautique du Grand Chalon

East of the town center lies Chalon’s contemporary aquatic facility, which offers a range of attractions beyond the standard pool complex.

This venue features indoor and outdoor pools that come alive during the summer, providing numerous activities.

Children can enjoy the wave pool or the Pentagliss slides, while adults can relax on the sun terrace adjacent to the pools or in the expansive grassy areas bordering the Saône.

10. Église Saint-Pierre

This striking church was constructed in the early 18th century as a Benedictine chapel.

Internally, it retains its Italianate Baroque design, while the exterior underwent a Byzantine Revival transformation in the 1800s.

Moreover, the church holds a compelling history regarding various individuals who were ordained here.

Among them is Anne-Marie Jahouvey, a nun who took her vows in 1807 and contributed to the liberation of slaves in the South American territory currently known as French Guiana.

Additionally, it features a notable organ crafted by the esteemed Callinet workshop in 1812.

11. Water Excursions

The Quai des Messageries also serves as the departure point for cruises along the Saône, presenting a variety of excursion options.

Visitors may prefer a brief 90-minute excursion between Saint-Rémy and Crissey, or a three-hour picnic voyage to the mouth of the Grosne in Marnay.

Alternatively, a day can be spent enjoying a leisurely lunch or dinner cruise through the scenic Saône-et-Loire countryside.

These journeys provide opportunities to see the riverside banks adorned with woodlands and rich pastures, home to cormorants, herons, and kingfishers.

12. Carnaval de Chalon

Visitors arriving in Chalon during late February or early March can partake in the carnival festivities, the largest and most vibrant in the region.

This year marks the centennial celebration of these festivities, promising a variety of chaos, enjoyment, and dance.

During the ten days of the event, parades with intricately designed papier-mâché floats and bands of gôniots, akin to medieval jesters, entertain guests with playful antics.

The carnival features a blend of free events such as parades, concerts, and funfairs, alongside ticketed banquets and evening balls.

13. Chalon dans la Rue

Entering its 31st year, Chalon dans la Rue is a street theater festival that transforms the town center every July.

More than 200,000 attendees gather to experience over 1,000 performances by numerous artists.

This event spans five days, occurring around the third weekend of the month.

Chalon dans la Rue stands as a highlight of France’s cultural calendar, with the culture minister, Audrey Azoulay, attending its 30th anniversary in 2016.

14. Outdoor Pursuits

In southern Burgundy, the historic infrastructure of canals and railways has been repurposed for leisurely walks and bike rides.

These routes have been designed to ensure easy navigation, featuring gentle gradients and convenient access to towns.

Additionally, Burgundy’s tourist board has outlined a cycling itinerary connecting the towns of Chalon, Cluny, Mâcon, and Tournus, primarily utilizing canal towpaths to minimize road traffic encounters.

For those seeking a localized experience, the Côte Chalonnaise presents breathtaking pastoral landscapes with rolling hills adorned by lush vineyards, forests, and meadows maintained with ancient milestones marking the tracks.

15. Local Gastronomy

The culinary offerings of Saône-et-Loire encapsulate classic French cuisine.

Typically, escargot serves as a popular starter, presenting snails cooked with garlic butter and parsley.

The culinary landscape predominantly features meat-centric dishes using premium ingredients, such as Bresse chicken prepared in coq au vin and Charolais beef, essential for the traditional boeuf bourguignon.

Mâconnais cheese, heralded with its own AOC status, is produced from unpasteurized goat’s milk, while Charolais cheese follows a similar tradition, both maturing for just over two weeks and available during the summer months.