Along the Canal du Centre… by bike

Whether you’re a local or have hired a bike in town, take a moment to enjoy the peace and quiet of Chalon in the early morning. A quick coffee opposite the cathedral or a croissant on the steps of Port-Villiers, a pop into the Tourist Office to pick up a map, and you’re all set for an adventure!

Bonus tip: if you love sunrises, take in the view of the Port de Plaisance from the footbridge before setting off on your ride

Once you’ve left the town behind, the peace and quiet is immediate and it’s a real pleasure to cycle along the water’s edge! For late risers or those who like to take their time, Fragne-la-Loyère offers the first stop on the journey. There’s a bakery for those fancying a bite to eat, a shaded park for anyone needing to stretch their legs, and a restaurant, beautifully situated right by the canal, for lunch with a view! The perfect stop to get your journey off to a cheerful start.

Bonus tip: if you’re cycling with children, stop off at the playground along the canal for a fun break!

The idyllic countryside rolls by peacefully as we make our way to the next stop: Fontaines. We leave the cycle path for a few hours to explore the village and its historical heritage. Places to visit: the Church of Saint-Just (a stop on the legendary Way of St James), the Maison du Patrimoine (which traces the village’s history and its links with the quarries) and, of course, the numerous wash houses that line the town’s two streams. A historical break to discover another side of the Côte Chalonnaise, not forgetting the various shops where you can do some shopping.

Bonus tip: follow the washhouse or wayside cross trails using the brochure produced by the Tourist Office to find out more!

After passing through numerous locks – which are a delight to watch in action – it’s time to set off on the next leg of the journey. Here, we delve into the very essence of the region: a land shaped by the vineyard and its cultivation over the centuries. Treat yourself to a refreshing break by the old lock-keeper’s house before taking another detour to explore Rully. This village, which gave its name to one of the five appellations of the Côte Chalonnaise, charms visitors with its stone houses, its many wine estates and, of course, its splendid eponymous château, perched high on the hillside. In Rully, the birthplace of sparkling wines, you simply must sample some Crémant de Bourgogne* (but not too much, as the journey continues) and take a cultural break at the château (which has been owned by the same family since the 12th century).

Bonus tip: just as with Fontaines, follow our itinerary designed to help you discover Rully’s must-see attractions

The penultimate stage of the adventure: the Maranges, a secret jealously guarded by the locals. In Cheilly-lès-Maranges and then Sampigny, time seems to have stood still, inviting you to catch your breath. We leave the canal behind for a new waterway: the pretty Cozanne, which meanders peacefully from village to village and whose banks provide the ideal setting for a bucolic picnic. We’ll make the most of this stage to discover the area’s unique feature: the ‘climats’ (in other words, the vineyard plots) listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Optional wine tasting* if you fancy it! Alternatively, set off in search of the church spires – each one unique in its own right – or carry on to Moulin-sur-Perley to find a ceramic piece at the Poterie de Sampigny. A break that’s sure to surprise you!

Bonus tip: in the Maranges vineyards, keep an eye out for the ‘cabottes’ – those old dry-stone huts characteristic of the Burgundian hillsides