My Recommendations

Cluny, a spiritual and political capital during the Middle Ages, is renowned today as a major tourist and cultural site plus one of France's leading equestrian centres...

A number of itineraries and visits have been organised for discovering the town of Cluny and its heritage sites: Tour des Fromages (Cheese Tower), Monastic Village, Cluny's architectural secrets, Hôtel-Dieu historic hospital, Maison de l'Humour et du Vin (House of Comedy and Wine), the Arts et Métiers exhibition entitled "From monks to engineers", and the National Equestrian Complex, housing some forty stallions. The guided tour of this complex includes the stables, a showcase of harnesses and saddlery, and a collection of horse-drawn vehicles.

All of Europe has its eyes focused on Cluny: 2010 marked the 1,100th anniversary of the founding of the famous Cluny Abbey. During this celebration, the entire town was the stage for festivities and events. The 2011 calendar has been posted on the Cluny Tourist Office Website.

The Museum of Art and Archaeology, installed in the lavish Jean de Bourbon abbatial palace, contains a number of significant pieces from the Medieval sculpture originally kept in the abbey church and monks' village. The museum also displays some 4,000 works; be sure not to miss the actual floor pavings from the end of the Middle Ages, a model of the city during the 13th century as well as a number of fascinating temporary exhibits.

On Saturday mornings, market day in Cluny, the town moves to the heart of Europe, as all languages can be heard. The streets are alive amidst an exciting atmosphere : the farmers' market, the artists' market, the café scene on shaded terraces, local restaurants serving regional delicacies… just some of the sights on Cluny's bustling streets...

ideas for your stay

Here are a few ideas to help you organise at best your stay in Cluny and surroundings, and in the region of South Burgundy.
These suggestions will help you to discover and visit places you shouldn't miss during your stay, and they will also give you an estimation of the time needed for these visits.

STAY (3 nights, 2 days) :
In the evening, arrival at "La Pierre Folle" in Cluny for a moment of relaxation at our natural swimming pool. Dinner on-site or in one of Cluny's restaurants, according to the evenings and depending on your desires.
1st day : Cluny : visit of the Benedictine Abbey, of the Art and Archeological Museum, housed in the Jean de Bourbon palace situated next to the abbey, and then a stroll through the Monastic town of Cluny and the "Haras National" (National Stud).
2nd day : roundabouts of Cluny
by bicycle : round trip Cluny-Cormatin using the "voie verte" (greenway) with a visit of Cormatin's castle and its gardens, and on the way back, a short stop at "aux ânesses de Julie", a rearing farm of donkeys with their foals (production of soap made out of the female's milk). The farm is situated between Cluny and our B&B at "La Pierre Folle". At your request, we can prepare a lunch basket for your day trip.
by car : Cormatin with its castle and gardens, Chapaize and its Roman church, the medieval pedestrian village of Brancion, and on the way back through Bray for a visit of a wine cellar and a sampling of their wines.

STAY (5 nights, 4 days) :
1st day : Cluny : the "Tour des Fromages" with at the top a superb view of the town and its surroundings, and make sure to see the 3D digital restitution of the Abbey church, before exploring the Monastic town itself.
In the afternoon, a visit of the Abbey and the "Haras National" (National Stud), and to finish off your visit of Cluny, a stroll through the centre with its traditional shops offering all sorts of local products.
2nd day : Cluny : in the morning, a visit of the Art and Archeological Museum, housed in the Jean de Bourbon palace (2-days dual tickets abbey-museum available), the Notre-Dame church and the Hôtel-Dieu (historical town hospital), and in the afternoon, possibility of renting a bike at the old railway station of Cluny, to go to Cormatin with its castle and gardens, using the "voie verte" (greenway) which runs through the Valley of the river Grosne.
3rd day : a visit by car of the North-East surroundings of Cluny to explore the many medieval churches and villages : Taizé (an ecumenical community), Ameugny, St.Gengoux-le -National, Chapaize, Brancion, Blanot, and the return journey to      "La Pierre Folle" by driving through the vineyards of Blanot and Bray.
4th day : a tour in the East of Cluny : the medieval castle of Berzé-le-Châtel, the "Chapelle Des Moines" in Berzé-la-Ville, the Vine and Wine Museum of the Chateau de la Greffiére in La Roche Vineuse, a climb of the Roche de Solutré with a splendid panorama of the vineyards and hills, and not to forget the Prehistorical Museum, and then going back through the vineyards of St.Véran and Pouilly Fuissé.

STAY (7 nights, 6 days) :
1st day till the 4th : same as the stay before
5th day : a tour South of Cluny : Chateau de Lamartine in St.Point, a walk around the lake of St.Point (swimming allowed and pedal boats to rent), a visit of the farm of "La Mère Boîtier" in Tramayes.
6th day : the South-West of Cluny : every Wednesday morning, a market at St.Christophe en Brionnais (cattle-auction) or the one at Charolles (Burgundian flavours and know-how), followed by a visit of "La Maison du Charollais", then departure for the arboretum of Pézanin (possibility to picnic alongside the pond, visit of the European Forest and Wood Gallery at Dompierre les Ormes.


Other activities depending on ages and desires  :

A. less than 20 minutes away from our B&B  :

Acro'Bath in Bergesserin
Pre-historical caves of Azé or Blano
Heritage House in Matour
Mount of Suin
Chateau de Pierreclos
Discovery of local farms and arts and crafts
Walking
Rides at equestrian clubs

B. more than 20 minutes away from our B&B  :

houseboat excursions on the canal in Digoin (several locks)
Diverti Parc in Toulon-sur-Arroux
Thousand Bouddhas Temple in La Boulaye
Touroparc in Romaneche-Thorins
Hameau Duboeuf in Romanche-Thorins
Bird Park in Villars-les-Dombes
Tournus
Macon
Beaune