Attractions and Places To See around Sainte-Cécile - Top 20

The historic town of Cluny, located in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, can best be admired from the viewing platform of the famous Cheese Tower (Tour des Fromages), from which you can enjoy a striking 360-degree view over the historic rooftops and the gentle, green hills of Southern Burgundy. Cluny is world-renowned for its Benedictine abbey, founded in 910 AD. In the High Middle Ages, the abbey was the starting point of the pioneering Cluniac reform movement and developed into the head of a Europe-wide monastic order with over 1,200 monasteries.

The Château de Berzé-le-Châtel (also known as Forteresse de Berzé) is the largest and best-preserved medieval castle in southern Burgundy. The site dates back to a 10th-century castrum and was strategically built on a rocky outcrop to protect the nearby powerful Abbey of Cluny. The fortress consists of three concentric walls and features 13 towers (including two keeps/donjons) as well as an imposing gatehouse. The heart inside is a remarkable Carolingian chapel.

Very beautiful castle. Feel free to visit the monks' chapel of Berzé la ville, with very beautiful paintings from the abbey of Cluny

In the Middle Ages, the abbey was one of the most influential spiritual and cultural centers in Europe. Cluny was the mother house of the Cluniac Reform and headed a federation of over 1,200 monasteries. The third abbey church (Cluny was the largest church in the Christian world until the construction of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome). Of the once-mighty complex, only parts of the southern transept remain today, as the abbey was largely used as a quarry and demolished after the French Revolution.

A perfect complement to the Solutré rock and Mont de Pouilly.

The town of Cluny was based on the Benedictine monastery (Cluniac Abbey), founded in 910. The abbey was the starting point and center of the Cluniac reform at the beginning of the 10th century. Cluny reached its peak membership at the beginning of the 12th century with approximately 400 monks. The last abbey church (Cluniac 3) was the world's largest Romanesque basilica and, until the construction of today's St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, the largest church in Christendom. The church had seven towers. Although large parts of the building were destroyed, the remaining relics are absolutely remarkable and make a visit to Cluny an unforgettable experience!

Several paths lead to the summit. A very pretty hike, which can be extended by climbing its big sister, Solutré, for the more athletic.

The Tunnel du Bois Clair is a former railway tunnel and at 1.6 km the longest tunnel in France now open to a greenway. It takes 4 to 6 minutes to cross by bike, 6 to 10 minutes on rollerblades and 15 to 20 minutes on foot, horse riders are not allowed to pass. The temperature is around 11 °C. There is a lighting system, but it is best to bring extra lighting on your bike... As this tunnel is home to protected species of bats, it is closed during hibernation (from October to April). In this case, a route is offered to bypass the tunnel, taking the circular trail n°14 (4 km, level: expert). A picnic area is located above the tunnel if you are coming via Cluny.