A day trip to Chalon-sur-Saône

On arrival, walk along the banks of the Saône and head for the Tourist Office. There you’ll find the ‘Chemin de l’Orbandale’ leaflet (also available as a children’s activity book). This signposted trail, which takes about an hour, will guide you through the historic centre and its cobbled alleyways to discover the richness of the local heritage. A must-see is the cathedral complex: the cloister and Saint-Vincent’s Cathedral, both restored, are the jewels of Chalon’s heritage. To really soak up the atmosphere, treat yourself to a coffee break on Place Saint-Vincent, surrounded by half-timbered houses, or on Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, where you can soak up the sun opposite the former convent.

Still in the historic centre, it’s time to choose which museum you’d like to explore. Both free to visit, the town’s museums offer two different perspectives on Chalon, allowing you to discover different aspects of its history. At the Niépce Museum, you’ll delve into the invention of photography and its evolution over the centuries. A museum that takes you back to the roots of the ‘eighth art’, it will delight lovers of images and enthusiasts of exhibitions on contemporary photography. The Denon Museum, meanwhile, offers a journey through the millennia: from the archaeological excavations at Chalon-sur-Saône to Baroque paintings and graphic arts. It is brimming with treasures and immerses its visitors in the fascinating history of Cabilonnum (the ancient name for Chalon before the Common Era). Which one will you choose?

With their 12 chimes, the town’s church bells will remind you that it’s 12 noon – time to sample the local cuisine! There are several options to choose from, depending on your preferences. Foodies will want to try the fine-dining restaurants on Île Saint-Laurent, bon vivants will head for the brasseries in the pedestrianised centre, and for those who love the great outdoors, head to the banks of the Saône or Georges Nouelle Park for a picnic in the countryside. Whatever you choose, don’t miss out on sampling local specialities such as fresh-from-the-oven gougères or œufs en meurette, deliciously poached in their red wine sauce. Is your mouth watering yet?

After lunch, head down the steps at Port-Villiers to set off on a water-based adventure! From aboard a comfortable boat, you can discover Chalon from the water, in a wilder and more peaceful setting. It’s time to slow down and let yourself drift along on a cruise down the Saône, where the scenery unfolds before your eyes – from Chalon’s historic sites to the pleasure harbour, via the marina at Parc de la Roseraie. As the captain provides commentary, you’ll see the town in a whole new light, with the wind in your hair. You won’t want to go back to dry land!

Enough of the historical anecdotes – let’s round off the day with a spot of shopping in the pedestrianised centre. Independent boutiques and better-known high-street chains sit happily side by side as you wander from one narrow street to the next. Take in the characteristic arched vaults of the old-fashioned shops and the façades where styles intermingle: neoclassical, Art Deco and Haussmannian – Chalon bears witness to centuries of history (oops, history never really leaves us in Chalon). For a local souvenir of your day out, pop into the Tourist Office to discover our selection of products 100 per cent made in Burgundy. And of course, between two or three shops, don’t forget to stop for a snack in one of the town’s many cafés: in Chalon, we’ve got a real sweet tooth!